Carolina Coaches Combine: Underclassman Primer

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've already broken down over 100 2027 prospects in our offensive and defensive previews for the Carolina Coaches Combine, so now it's time to dive into Session 3. While the first two sessions are separated by geography, the third session is for underclassmen, with some of the state's best young players converging to test, run through drills, and compete in one-on-ones. Let's look at the young guys.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Underclassmen To Watch at the Carolina Coaches Combine</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The CCC is unique in that every player was nominated by his head coach. There are three sessions, two for rising seniors and one for the 2028 and 2029 classes. While the underclassmen aren't competing for a spot on a postseason bowl roster, there are plenty of guys I'm watching. Let's break them down.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Session 1 &amp; 2 Primers:</strong><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/04/carolinas-coaches-combine-clayton-primer-offense/">Offense</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/04/carolina-coaches-combine-clayton-primer-defense/">Defense</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Quarterback</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm extremely excited about the quarterback position in Session 3, not because I know about the talent in attendance, but because I really <em>don't</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Of the 16 invited quarterbacks, we have two ranked<span style="margin: 0px;padding: 0px">:&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2112654' first='Chase' last='Bowie']</strong>&nbsp;(Sanderson) and&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687459' first='Reginald' last='Gray']</strong>&nbsp;(</span>Northside-Jacksonville). We have one more on the watchlist, in Union Pines' <strong>Vide Blue</strong>, a guy we've heard can really sling it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I don't know much about anybody outside of those three, so a few likely impress me as our database grows.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Skill Positions</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>To keep this piece under 2,000 words, I'm combining some of the positions. The skill positions are loaded, perhaps even more than the 2027 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's start with some exciting running backs. Several small school guys could put up some impressive times in the testing portion. Princeton running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1616304' first='Teo' last='McPhatter']</strong> should fly in the 40, and he could set the combine record in the vertical jump, with unreal explosive qualities. His backfield mate, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2140182' first='Gerell' last='Bogle'],</strong> is a smaller guy who has great acceleration and short-area burst.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Midway's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687440' first='Wesley' last='Tew']</strong> first hit our radar after some of the best testing numbers in the state at last year's combine, but I've never seen him live, and I'm looking forward to watching him work.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Northwest Cabarrus' <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1616134' first='Titus' last='Troy']</strong> is the second-highest-ranked back in attendance (though he may end up at the Hickory combine instead) and is one of the better all-around backs in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A few other running backs of note: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1616528' first='Tobias' last='Cromartie']</strong> (Union), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1970956' first='Devaunh' last='White']</strong> (West Rowan), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1970795' first='Doryan' last='Jones']</strong> (Hunt), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1666039' first='Jacori' last='McMillan']</strong> (Middle Creek).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Also See: <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/04/undercovered-ep-2-5-2028s-who-need-more-attention/">Undercovered Prospects Ep. 2</a></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The receivers don't have quite the star power, but there's an opportunity for plenty of guys in the back half of the rankings to move up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1616207' first='Braylen' last='Loftin']</strong> (Fike) is the highest-ranked of the bunch, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2112652' first='Edward' last='Young']</strong> (South Brunswick), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1722960' first='Amani' last='Blacknall']</strong> (Franklinton), and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2147418' first='Cayden' last='Odle']</strong> (South Johnston) are all in the same range of our rankings and could move up with strong verified numbers and clean drill work. Washington County athlete <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2140883' first='Keitrell' last='Sutton']</strong> is a freshman who recently popped on our radar, so I'd like to get a full evaluation on him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1815391' first='Shane' last='Lucas-Walker']</strong> is one of our top 2028 tight ends, while Franklinton's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1671100' first='Jamal' last='Jones']</strong> has great potential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Want to showcase your talent? Our Prep Redzone Exposure Camps is Friday, May 1. <a href="https://events.prepredzone.com/e/2214/register/exposure-series-north-carolina">Sign up here</a>, and use promo code WillHelms10 for $10 off your registration.</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Trenches</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are some monsters in the trenches, with talent on both sides of the ball. Union Pines 2028 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687429' first='Easton' last='McCullen']</strong> and Northern Nash 2029 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='865972' first='Jackson' last='Jenkins']</strong> both have FBS grades from me and lead an intriguing offensive line group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Top-200 2028 player <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2113191' first='Cooper' last='Matthews']</strong> joins them from Jack Britt, a guy with a proven track record of success at multiple positions, though he's at his best at center.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bunn offensive lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1720073' first='Ethan' last='Watkins']</strong> is on our watchlist, and I'm interested to see his official measurements. Western Harnett's <strong>Bryce Rassman</strong> is another guy I don't know much about, despite deep diving into the offensive line in <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/top-6-ol-in-johnston-harnett-county/">Harnett County</a>. I look forward to creating an evaluation and profile for him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the defensive line, there are several outstanding young edge rushers slated to be in attendance. Boughton's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1606887' first='Darias' last='Johnson']</strong> has blown up on the recruiting trail, earning several FBS offers this spring. Don't expect him to run away with MVP honors, though.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Middle Creek's <strong>Conner Smith</strong> has the size, speed, and explosiveness to turn heads in testing, and the calm, clinical technique to win drills. Hunt's <strong>Nicolas Bynum</strong> was also a guy we recently covered in our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/top-5-edge-rushers-in-franklin-nash-wilson-county/">Franklin/Nash/Wilson Deep Dive</a>. On a team full of pass-rushers, a camp setting gives him a chance to stand out on his own.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are several impressive freshman edge rushers too, with Bunn's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1632718' first='Cayden' last='Davis']</strong> and Northside-Pinetown's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1884222' first='Zakari' last='Woods']</strong> both expected to be in attendance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm less familiar with the interior guys, but West Rowan's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2061057' first='Kayden' last='Weeks']</strong> is a big-time playmaker, and I expect more interior guys to step up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Linebacker</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There aren't a ton of linebackers in attendance for Session 3, but here are a few to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hunt's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1857997' first='Trevorius' last='Cooper']</strong> made a bunch of tackles last season in the Warriors' run to the state title game. He has great size, and I'm interested to see GPS data, as he looks fast on film.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West Johnston's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1698691' first='Gavin' last='Bullock']</strong> is a guy I've long admired, but I've never seen him in person. I'm looking forward to his official size, as he's a bit of a tweener in West Johnston's scheme, but should be a full-time off-ball backer at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2140191' first='Jarrett' last='Lee']</strong> of Princeton has gotten a preliminary glance, and I'm glad I'll get to watch him, especially in pass coverage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are some other names with which I have some familiarity, but haven't seen much of, either in person or on film. <strong>Chance Matthewson</strong> (Martin County), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1467712' first='Tyler' last='Johnson']</strong> (Pinecrest), and <strong>Thurman Thomas</strong> (Willow Spring) have all popped up throughout our spring film studies, but I haven't evaluated any of them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Also See: <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/04/2027s-to-offer-right-now/">2027s To Offer Right Now</a></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Defensive Back</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensive back might be the top position group in terms of top-end talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Power Four prospects <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1715912' first='Daniel' last='Lovelace-Davis']</strong> (Clayton), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1646236' first='Malachi' last='Burt']</strong> (Clayton), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='887866' first='Domonic' last='Williams Jr'].</strong> (Jacksonville), and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687751' first='Ty' last='Covington']</strong> (Richmond Senior) are all slated to be in attendance. High-upside freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1858006' first='Dom' last='Baker']</strong> (Northwest Cabarrus) also could be there, and the recent East Carolina offer could turn heads.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687750' first='CJ' last='Covington']</strong> (Richmond Senior) is on the list, too. The offers are coming soon for the impressive young defensive back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Willow Spring's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2005229' first='Jah'Kye' last='Smith']</strong> is a hybrid linebacker-safety, and the 6'2" defender could reasonably play either position. How he tests and what he does in pass coverage could go a long way toward determining his position in our system.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overall, the defensive backs should really challenge these receivers, and there are several DBs worthy of early offers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>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.&nbsp;<a href="https://events.prepredzone.com/e/2214/register/exposure-series-north-carolina">Secure your spot</a>&nbsp;and use promo code WillHelms10 at checkout for $10 off. Think we missed someone? DM me on Twitter/X&nbsp;(<a href="https://x.com/whelms21">@whelms21</a>)&nbsp;with film.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->