3 Things I Learned at the Money Down Media Day

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're just over six weeks away from the start of the 2026 high school football season in North Carolina, and that means preseason media days are getting underway. Over 100 top athletes from around the Triangle and beyond came to the Money Down Football Media Day, and Prep Redzone was on hand to take pictures, tape interviews, and talk ball. Here are three things I learned at Sunday's media day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*<em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with promo code Helms30*</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Three Things I Learned From Money Down Media Day</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over 100 athletes from nearly 40 schools were in attendance, and I had the chance to interview 35 players. Here are some things I learned.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">1) There's a Lot of Talent in the Triangle</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This should be obvious, but the idea was reinforced on Sunday. We have nearly 1,600 ranked players in our database, and I still met a handful of guys we don't yet have ranked. That's a testament to how deep the 2027 and 2028 classes are in the Triangle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I also learned a few things from guys we've followed for years. I totally missed Wakefield's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2146054' first='Grayson' last='Clopton']</strong>'s commitment to Brown University. He's back to full-time tight end and mentioned the work he's put in this summer, culminating with a commitment to the Bears.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, too, had I missed that Dudley's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1607877' first='Vermont' last='Carmack']</strong> had committed to Southern Miss. One of our top players in the 2027 class, he pledged to the Eagles late last month. He was in attendance with several of his Dudley teammates, including fellow Division I prospect <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1788198' first='Saimair' last='Horton']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">2) Millbrook's Receivers Will Be Key</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I don't post a lot of interviews. That's just not my lane. Nor do I ask a ton about recruiting. I may speak off the record with some guys to get their thoughts on recruiting, but I'm a scout first and foremost.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Given that the heart of Prep Redzone is to cover Division III prospects in the same way we would Division I prospects, a media day with top players is an opportunity to have them hype up teammates. Some guys understood the assignment more than others. No offense to anybody, but I get a bit disappointed when someone gives me the names of Power Four commits as "under-the-radar teammates" or "breakout players" to know.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the guys who absolutely understood the assignment was Millbrook quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='485965' first='Bryson' last='Gray']</strong>. He raved about his young playmakers on the outside with great insight and surprising candor about the outside perception of the team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After mentioning that everybody knows the defensive line (Guys like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1553113' first='Rashad' last='Streets']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1782184' first='Chase' last='Sizer']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1158999' first='Markez' last='Wilbert']</strong>), the offensive line (<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2072220' first='Amir' last='Daniels']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137826' first='Andrew' last='Jaynes']</strong>), and the back seven (<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='651173' first='Quinton' last='Cypher']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2072354' first='Carsen' last='Adams']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1608326' first='Cairo' last='Williams']</strong>), the receiver position is unproven.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gray took the time to point out some younger guys who are thriving and who we should look out for this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harnett Central transfer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2147396' first='King' last='Murdock']</strong> had over 500 yards last year, and is a guy Gray said should have a big season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2121380' first='Jaylen' last='Allen']</strong> is a sophomore who transferred in from Florida. Both guys have size and speed, with Allen running a 4.4 and earning an East Carolina offer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rising junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2246998' first='Brian' last='Leacock']</strong> is a bit further under the radar, but he has track speed, with the best 400-meter time in the state among rising juniors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Of course, we can't forget tight end <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1252939' first='Hayes' last='Brawner']</strong>, the massive James Madison commit who is one of our top-ranked tight ends in the 2027 class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Against top teams, the receivers will be key. The Wildcats lose a ton at the position, but if the younger guys can step up, they'll once again make a deep playoff run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">3) Watch out for Southern Durham</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Southern Durham has arguably been one of the top teams in that "almost there" category for years. In talking with some of their guys, I think this could be the year that it comes together. The 2027 class is deep, one of the best in the state, and the Spartans are hungry. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's a vibes thing, but there were few players seemingly more excited to get to the season than <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1217496' first='Jonathan' last='Dillon']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1607799' first='Kamari' last='Holloway']</strong>. I got the feeling they know they have a good football team and can't wait to start the games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dillon is being recruited most heavily as a receiver, but he's played a lot of quarterback in the past. Holloway is a recent East Carolina commit who has run for over 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons. Interestingly, though I interviewed them separately, neither guy hesitated when naming the same three guys to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both guys mentioned <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2112037' first='Jayden' last='Bowman']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1717882' first='Kobe' last='Whimper']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2005283' first='Jastin' last='Ikard']</strong>, in that order, as guys who will have huge years. Those are three defensive backs, all from different classes, expected to have massive seasons. Their strong play could open up opportunities for some of the top athletes on the team to specialize at particular positions, rather than playing everywhere.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'll add a couple of other guys here on my own.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mt. Zion transfer defensive lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1634611' first='Eric' last='George']</strong> is a guy that multiple other head coaches wanted. He joins a defensive line already returning leading pass-rusher <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2109373' first='Kye' last='Johnson']</strong>. If there was a "weakness" for the Spartans last season, it was that the defensive line occasionally wore down late in games, especially against the run. That unit should be improved, a good sign for arguably the most athletic team in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Honorable Mention: Fun Interviews</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I haven't covered a media day in a while, but whenever I'm able to get to something in that format, I always like to mention a few guys I really enjoyed speaking with. This isn't an exhaustive list, but these guys were thoughtful, energetic, and simply fun to speak with.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2146054' first='Grayson' last='Clopton']</strong> | Wakefield</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1217496' first='Jonathan' last='Dillon']</strong> | Southern Durham</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='485965' first='Bryson' last='Gray']</strong> | Millbrook</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1135515' first='Koby' last='Howard']</strong> | Harnett Central</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='424705' first='Zion' last='Malloy']</strong> | Page</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2221061' first='Derek' last='White']</strong> | Rolesville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1050807' first='Tyson' last='Broadway']</strong> | Reidsville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1084981' first='Karvin' last='Magwood']</strong> | New Bern</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1969811' first='Leighton' last='Lascallette']</strong> | Riverside</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1393949' first='Zion' last='Dobson']</strong> | East Forsyth</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1969827' first='Anthony' last='Atunku']</strong> | Cary</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2247000' first='Alijah' last='Kinton']</strong> | Webb</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Our preseason coverage is just getting started. Coaches, if you want your team featured in a team preview,&nbsp;<a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeB9YBH_he_sOP-lhvI26XRh0P9vobS8PsVJy_5QCJ4jQLTvQ/viewform?usp=sharing&amp;ouid=118251332469799088451">fill out our survey</a>.&nbsp;</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->