Top 10 Two-Way Athletes in the Triangle

We're nearly finished with our RDU Deep Dives series, after evaluating over 320 players across 11 counties in the Triangle. But before we move on, we have three more breakdowns: the athletes, the specialists, and a final wrap-up piece. Here, we're looking at the top two-way players across the Triangle.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Best Two-Way Athletes in RDU</h2>   Editor's Note: The ranked athletes are in order from first to tenth. Other names in no particular order. Rankings reflect a combination of 2025 production and predicted 2026 impact.   Some of these players made other Deep Dive lists at a particular position. While that ranking reflects their ability at that position only, this ranking focuses on their game as a whole.    In hindsight, Dillon probably should have made our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/durham-orange-county-qb-deep-dive/">Durham/Orange County quarterback Deep Dive</a>. He's ranked as a receiver because that's the position he could play at the highest level at the college level. Technically, we're bending the rules a bit here, as Dillon is primarily a multi-faceted offensive weapon, but he's also a punter and a talented special teams contributor.     Henderson made our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/top-6-dbs-in-durham-orange-county/">Durham/Orange County DB Deep Dive</a>, and he's likely a safety at the next level, but he's a talented offensive weapon, too. He could have made the receiver rankings, with over 900 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. He has home run speed, averaging nearly 28 yards per catch and well over 10 yards per carry on a couple of dozen rushing attempts.     Easter is the definition of a two-way athlete. In fact, the colleges recruiting him aren't in consensus on which position is his best. I like him best at tight end, where he caught 23 passes for Southeast Alamance. Defensively, he can really get after the passer, but is also one of the best at setting the edge as a run defender.     Manson is one of the more underrated two-way players in the Triangle, excelling as both a defensive back and now a receiver. In 2025, he had four interceptions and 52 total tackles as a corner in his second year as a starter at that position. But he really made the most of his offensive opportunities, averaging over 22 yards per catch and scoring four touchdowns.     Cooper flew under the radar as Knightdale lost a ton of close games early in 2025, but people should pay attention this season. Cooper had over 600 yards, including three 100-yard games, while racking up 40 tackles, two sacks, and three forced turnovers from his safety position.     Leach is a key player on both the offensive and defensive units for Enloe. He had a breakout season as a running back in 2025, averaging eight yards per carry and scoring nine times on just 68 carries. He has a ton of wiggle, but he isn't afraid to hit, which helped him make an impact on defense, as well.     Griffin isn't the biggest guy, but he can absolutely fly, having recently won the state championship in the 55-meter hurdles and competing nationally in the 400 meters. His elite track ability eats into his time on the gridiron, but when he's on the field, he's a threat to take anything to the endzone, whether as a receiver or returner. He's not a bad defensive back, either.     Just a freshman, Monroe first made an impact on special teams with a punt return touchdown in his varsity debut. As the season went on, he began to contribute as a receiver and defensive back, finishing the year with just under 400 yards and two interceptions. He comes from a football family, and we expect him to have a huge career.     Mayo is a talented two-way player who excels as a defensive back and a running back. He had over 500 rushing yards last season after transferring into Hillside. The season before, he averaged nine yards a carry and caught 21 passes, showcasing his versatility. More opportunities open up next season with the departure of some key pieces, so we'll watch to see what he can do.     Primarily a defensive end, Cockerham does a ton of things within Cardinal Gibbons' scheme that go unnoticed in the box score. But there's a reason several teams tried to recruit him as a tight end. He doesn't get as much volume on offense, but he's a highly athletic two-way guy who moves well. Don't be surprised if he's a two-way threat as a senior.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Other Names To Know</h2>   Kameron Pitt | Beddingfield   [player_tooltip player_id='2158953' first='Tyquan' last='Whitaker'] | Wilson Prep   [player_tooltip player_id='2146054' first='Grayson' last='Clopton'] | Wakefield   [player_tooltip player_id='870445' first='Christian' last='Booth'] | Williams   [player_tooltip player_id='1853146' first='Kole' last='Thompson'] | Harnett Central   It's camp season, and we're coming to Charlotte on May 1 for our PRZ Exposure Camp under the lights on a Friday night. <a href="https://events.prepredzone.com/e/2214/register/exposure-series-north-carolina">Secure your spot</a> and use promo code WillHelms10 at checkout for $10 off. Think we missed someone? DM me on Twitter/X (<a href="https://x.com/whelms21">@whelms21</a>) with film.

We're nearly finished with our RDU Deep Dives series, after evaluating over 320 players across 11 counties in the Triangle. But before we move on, we have three more breakdowns: the athletes, the specialists, and a final wrap-up piece. Here, we're looking at the top two-way players across the Triangle.