Carolinas Coaches Combine Clayton Primer: Offense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Welcome to the first Prep Redzone North Carolina camp coverage of the season. Over the next two months, we're heading out to several camps, and we're covering the best talent from across the state. One of our favorite camps is the Carolina Coaches Combine, which comes to Clayton on April 11. Here, we're sharing all the info: Who should you know? Which players could break out? And which guys could contend for some of the camp's awards?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Offensive Players 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. Let's jump right in. Here, I'm looking primarily at the first two sessions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Quarterbacks</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Session 1 is loaded with college talent, with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1328747' first='Lex' last='Sevilla']</strong> (Middle Creek), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1954080' first='Jamel' last='Perry']</strong> (Knightdale), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1135515' first='Koby' last='Howard']</strong> (Harnett Central), and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2142468' first='Sam' last='Finch']</strong> (Fike) all in the top 15 in passing yardage in the junior class. Plus, we'll see dual-threats <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1625015' first='Christian' last='Ormandy']</strong> (Garner) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2137702' first='Damacio' last='Cueto']</strong> (Clayton), who could put up incredible testing numbers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm particularly excited to scout Perry and Finch, both of whom I've never seen in person.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Session 2 is more of a mystery to me. I know several of the names, but I haven't scouted many of them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seaforth's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2134913' first='Duncan' last='Parker']</strong> is a newer name to our radar, but since diving into the film, we're huge fans. He's one of the state's top returning passers after throwing for 2,600 yards as a junior. A true dual threat, Parker should test well, and I'm looking closely at his agility and speed numbers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Similarly, Northwest Cabarrus quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1301805' first='Hudson' last='Irwin']</strong> has huge tools. He has a massive arm, and I'm interested to see him in a camp setting after watching some of his tape from a 13-touchdown season. He's a pocket passer who doesn't need to move all that well, but if he tests well, that will only help him in our eyes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1059980' first='Najee' last='Gillis'],</strong> out of Pinecrest, is another guy who can sling it. He's put on some weight recently, and I'm interested to see how that affects him. I like the way he moves in the pocket, and I'm looking forward to following him in drills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Names I'm Excited to See:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1650566' first='Ian' last='Wands']</strong> | ALA-Johnston<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1646740' first='Leo' last='Gorga']</strong> | Enloe<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1655116' first='Tyler' last='Williams']</strong> | South Johnston</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Running Backs</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm excited for both of these sessions at the running back position, because there are some players on my "need to see" list.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are plenty of guys in Session 1 who made our RDU Deep Dives lists, including Northern Nash duo <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='618689' first='Myles' last='Eatmon']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1968099' first='Preston' last='McDaniel']</strong> (<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/top-7-rbs-in-franklin-nash-wilson-county/">Franklin/Nash/Wilson</a>), Clayton's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='561878' first='Terris' last='Hobbs']</strong> and Harnett Central's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2143614' first='Ro'Shawn' last='Towson']</strong> (<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/deep-dive-top-7-rbs-in-johnston-harnett-county/">Johnston/Harnett</a>), and several from <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/deep-dive-top-7-wake-county-rbs/">Wake County</a>, including <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1225217' first='Amir' last='Wallace']</strong> (Garner), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1680041' first='Ziyeir' last='Leach']</strong> (Enloe), and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1251476' first='James' last='Adams']</strong> (Southeast Raleigh).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Session 2 features several guys from the Fayetteville area I've never seen. I'm particularly excited to check out Jacksonville's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1895409' first='Amari' last='Pearson']</strong>, who ran for nearly 2,000 yards, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1610573' first='Adrian' last='Colon']</strong> from Union Pines, who hit the 1,100-yard mark in his first year as a starter. I'm intrigued to see how both of those guys test, especially in the explosive metrics, as both pop in that area on film.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The wildcard is Holmes back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2067025' first='Kazzure' last='Downing']</strong>, a shorter guy who flies on film. Is it simply his competition level, or can he really put up some eye-popping times.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Names I'm Excited to See:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1607878' first='Damien' last='Hayes']</strong> | Jordan<br><strong>Javel Smith</strong> | Willow Spring<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='534079' first='Rahlai' last='Anderson']</strong> | Northside-Jacksonville<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2092909' first='Antonio' last='Draughn']</strong> | Tarboro<br><strong>Gabriel Suarez</strong> | Jack Britt</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Wide Receivers/Tight Ends</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've mentally bucketed the wide receivers into two categories: guys I need to see test and guys I need to see in one-on-ones/drills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are few guys here who I'm absolutely confident will ace both the testing and the drill portion, but plenty I know for a fact will thrive in at least one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I know Middle Creek's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2146844' first='Nicolas' last='Bocciardi']</strong>, Fike's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1953798' first='Darryl' last='Loatman']</strong>, and Willow Springs' <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='563219' first='Greyson' last='Mosley']</strong> will look the part. Bocciardi and Mosley are artists in the route-running game, and Loatman is a physical beast. Put some testing numbers that match, and their stock will soar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the flip side, guys with Southeast Raleigh's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1318732' first='Adam' last='Saunders']</strong>, Franklinton's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1722985' first='Jamaal' last='Epps']</strong>, and Knightdale's <strong>Le'Eric Cooper</strong> will put up some great numbers. I want to see route-running nuance, clean breaks, and soft hands from those guys.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In Session 1, there are several guys from the eastern part of the state who are in our rankings, but I've never gotten to scout live. Guys like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1844273' first='SaRonn' last='Thompson']</strong> (Jacksonville), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2127567' first='Gavyn' last='Davis']</strong> (Northside-Jacksonville), and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1720446' first='Eric' last='Melton']</strong> (Pinecrest) have profiles, but need an updated scouting report.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are also some guys who have been lurking in the background behind major graduates. West Carteret's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2127499' first='Jejuan' last='Tripp']</strong> had over 500 yards last year, but this year he's the team's top target. I've heard rave reviews about his athleticism, too. Kinston graduates two of the state's top receivers. I don't know much about <strong>Reggie McNeil</strong>, but if he made the list, he could be the next elite Kinston receiver.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Finally, I'm very intrigued by a small tight ends group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1718784' first='Phoenix' last='Barnes']</strong> has freakish upside, and he'll be fun to watch in testing and fun to dissect in drills. Similarly, Martin County's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1607846' first='Noah' last='Congleton']</strong> has long been on our radar, but in an offense that rarely throws, even the 6'5" receiving tight end doesn't get many looks. We have Pinecrest's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1149026' first='Finn' last='Morgan']</strong> ranked as a linebacker, but he'll work out at tight end, and I'm interested to see if that's a better position for him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Names I'm Excited to See:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2138383' first='Max' last='Hinchman']</strong> | Seaforth<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1853146' first='Kole' last='Thompson']</strong> | Harnett Central<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1543857' first='Aidan' last='Gore']</strong> | Garner</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Offensive Line</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the offensive line, I'm checking size, 5-10-5s, and indiviual drills. Offense vs. Defense trench drills usually favor defenders, so I'm more likely to check footwork and pad level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are some massive tackles scheduled to compete.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Enloe's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1649248' first='Sam' last='Offor']</strong> and Jordan's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1607754' first='Ian' last='Powell']</strong> are the two highest-ranked linemen in attendance. Richmond Senior's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2168670' first='Kamel' last='Tillman']</strong> is a newer name to the list, but he's gained some momentum on the trail, and I really need to evaluate him in person.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1671930' first='Jayden' last='Robbins']</strong> (Hillside) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1608330' first='Khirye' last='Jones']</strong> (Martin County) have each been on our radar for a while, but neither has a recent evaluation, and I want to see how they've improved in the last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1696871' first='Emmanuel' last='DeBerry']</strong> (Tarboro) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1719965' first='James' last='Jones']</strong> (Enloe) on our watch list, and each could earn a ranking with a strong performance.&nbsp;In DeBerry's case, we have him listed as a defensive lineman, and we just haven't seen much OL film. If he checks out, he'll make the jump from watchlist to rankings this spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Names I'm Excited to See:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1654985' first='Carter' last='Donovan']</strong> | ALA-Johnston<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2148544' first='Nicholas' last='Capozzi']</strong> | Clayton<br><strong>Charlie Reese</strong> | Oak Grove</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 -->