2026 Preview: Dillon Wildcats

In honor of the five-site Prep RedZone Media Days series this June and July, we're giving everyone a 50% offer code on all subscriptions throughout July 31. Get access to more than 100 team previews and everything else we have in store for readers as we gear up for the 2026 football season. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/subscribe">Simply head to our subscription page</a> and use the code "przscmediaday2026" at checkout to take advantage of the savings.   Most places across the state would be relatively pleased with a 9-4 record and an appearance in the third round of the playoffs. Dillon isn't one of those places.   The Wildcats were successful, just not up to their normal standards. And according to players like junior [player_tooltip player_id='2058589' first='Jaylen' last='Bacote'] (pictured above), that third round loss to Oceanside Collegiate has been a driving force to the offseason.   “It was a tough loss to end the season, but we have to take that and remember it and fight back from it to be even better and learn the lessons it taught us,” Bacote said at the recent PRZ Media Day held at South Florence. “We have some guys that will make a difference this year and we're excited for the season.”   It's going to be a new look team, but coach Kelvin Roller believes he has a lot of players that filled situational roles last season that will move into more prominent positions this year.   The Wildcats lost their starting quarterback when he transferred out of state but that has opened things up for [player_tooltip player_id='1881788' first='Nibras' last='Harrison'] to go into the position full-time. He played receiver and was the backup last year, but he's shown great leadership abilities in the offseason.   Harrison brings a running element that was missing a little bit from the position last year. Roller is the most excited about the development he's seen in the skill position players.   [player_tooltip player_id='1817694' first='Jamarion' last='Campbell'] [player_tooltip player_id='1824416' first='Komari' last='Allen'] [player_tooltip player_id='1822040' first='Malachi' last='Graham'] [player_tooltip player_id='1820513' first='Zayquan' last='Carmichael'] and Kamari Jacobs are a talented and eager group at receiver. That will give Harrison plenty of targets to spread the wealth around.   “Our strength right now might be our skill position players. We had some youngsters that are starting to get it, and we may be better at the skill position this year. As a core we have several guys that can step up and make a play on any given night.”   Nathan Rowell Trey Coward and Bacote will anchor the offensive line that has seen some injury issues this offseason. One projected starter is out for the season and there is another that might not be available at the beginning of the year.   You will see a lot of those receivers contribute in the secondary as well. [player_tooltip player_id='1172360' first='Kelvion' last='Manning'] is one player to keep an eye on. He's talented and been a proven performer across multiple seasons. He's built like a tank and will man one of the outside linebacker spots.   Joining Manning will be Carmichael, Jayden Hunt and [player_tooltip player_id='1823086' first='Ke'Shawn' last='Ray'] to give the Wildcats an experienced and explosive unit.     The defensive line should get better as the season progresses. There's depth there in Jameik Bridges [player_tooltip player_id='1816355' first='Lucas' last='Butler'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1821869' first='DeArion' last='Gibbons'] handling the bulk of the snaps.   “We have a number of guys we feel confident in,” Roller said. “We have multiple people that can beat you in multiple ways and play positions all over the field.”   STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='2058589' first='Jaylen' last='Bacote'] DL/OL, 2028 (pictured) – Bacote played on both sides of the ball last season and was very effective both ways. He's going to move to left tackle on the offensive line and will again take snaps at defensive end. He's strong, hard to move and plays with a high motor that doesn't stop until the whistle blows. Roller said his offseason development has been a fun one to watch.   [player_tooltip player_id='1823086' first='Ke'Shawn' last='Ray'] TE/LB, 2027 – Ray played some offensive line last season but he's going to move to tight end to give Dillon another blocker on the line of scrimmage. He's got soft hands and could turn into a weapon in the passing game as well. He's powerfully built at 5-foot-11, 180 pounds. Ray will also play inside linebacker to give the Wildcats strength and experience in the middle of the defense. He moves well and fights off would-be blockers to be involved in a lot of tackles.     [player_tooltip player_id='1172360' first='Kelvion' last='Manning'] LB, 2027 – Manning is lengthy at 6-foot-3, and 170 pounds and has been the cornerstone of the defense for a couple of years. He plays sideline-to-sideline and never seems to tire. He's physical and makes his presence felt on every tackle. The intriguing thing is don't be surprised when he plays more receiver this season. He gives the offense a tall receiver that can go get the ball at its highest point. His future is likely defense but it's going to be to see what he can do in that offense.     [player_tooltip player_id='1823085' first='Noah' last='Singletary'] RB, 2027 – We didn't mention running backs above, but Singletary comes in as the primary back in the single back set. He's coming off a season with just over 400 yards and seven touchdowns. Those numbers are expected to double or more. The good news is he averaged nearly nine yards per carry and has proven he can be a workhorse when needed.     FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='1817694' first='Jamarion' last='Campbell'] WR, 2028 – Campbell was the second option most of last season and that should be expected when you had a Power 4 wide receiver on the other side. But Campbell is expected to jump into the role with gusty. His entire family played at Dillon, so he understands the history. He's a fantastic athlete with above average speed. He's intelligent and picks up things quickly.    BIGGEST LOSSES   Khayel Sam Fong-Talia QB – The thought around Dillon is Fong-Talia was going to be a four-year starter and bring the Wildcats back to great heights. But he moved to Georgia this offseason after making an impression in his one season at Dillon.   Zamaurious Robertson WR/CB – Robertson is at UNC now and is going to be a big loss to the offense. He recorded 58 catches for 1,206 yards and 13 touchdowns last year and had over 2,500 yards in his career. Team MVP the last two seasons.   UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL   [player_tooltip player_id='1816920' first='Aerian' last='Chavis'] TE/LB, 2030 – Chavis is one of the young guns on this team, but he's expected to come in an provide depth at tight end and linebacker. He might be the biggest receiver threat in the tight end rotation. He has a lot of experienced players in front of him at linebacker, but he's going to watch and learn but he's also going to have an opportunity at playing time.   Trey Coward OL/DE, 2029 – Coward mainly played junior varsity last season and is expected to come in and start at the right tackle position. He's raw but has good size, is powerful and moves well for his size. He's going to find himself in the rotation at defensive end as well. Coward has a nice upside but he's going to have to step right in and make a difference quickly.   [player_tooltip player_id='1881788' first='Nibras' last='Harrison'] QB, 2029 –    Harrison contributed at receiver last season and as the backup quarterback. He's going to be the guy behind center this season. He gives the offense a different look in that he can run it as well as pass it. The running aspect is expected to set him apart and make the offense take on a different look in 2026.   Harrison plays baseball and that is where a lot of his arm strength comes from. He's an above average athlete that will fit in well engineering the Wildcats offense. Making sound decisions and getting the ball to the playmakers is going to be a key.

In honor of the five-site Prep RedZone Media Days series this June and July, we're giving everyone a 50% offer code on all subscriptions throughout July 31. Get access to more than 100 team previews and everything else we have in store for readers as we gear up for the 2026 football season. Simply head to our subscription page and use the code "przscmediaday2026" at checkout to take advantage of the savings.