Scouting NC Central’s In-State Commits

Wilbert represents not just a talented get for the Eagles, but also a massive recruiting win. The competition was stiff here, and with good reason. Wilbert has been on our radar for a while, and we love the production from his interior defensive line spot. He started for two years at Wake Forest, putting up over 25 tackles for loss and seven sacks. Then he moved to Millbrook for a wildly productive junior season. He's not as much a space-eater as he is a slasher with violent hands and plenty of functional strength. I don't think he'll ever play near 300 pounds, but his strength and first-step work in tandem for the interior pass-rusher. Most of the time, guys with that profile take time to adjust in the running game, but Wilbert's strength and considerable experience make him a candidate to play early.

Yon, like Wilbert, represents an impressive recruiting win for the Eagles over several other highly-touted programs. Initially an athlete in our system, it became increasingly clear late last season and into this offseason that Yon was being recruited as a safety, his best position. The Eagles are getting a guy with fantastic athleticism and outstanding ball production. He picked off four passes and forced two fumbles, showing his versatility and two-way skill set. Because of his smaller size and ridiculous range, he'll likely be best used as a deep, middle-of-the-field safety. That said, I've never seen a Grimsley defensive back who can't come down and play man in the slot. That positional versatility likely gives him the chance to play early at the next level, and NC Central fans should be excited to land such a talent.

The best offensive linemen have a mean streak on the field, and White is nasty. He finishes every block and plays through the whistle. He has some versatility, but I personally like him best as a guard, which he plays at Rolesville. He has a good initial step in pass protection and keeps a strong base, rarely overreaching. Even when he loses ground initially, he's an expert at resetting his feet and winning a rep. That's something we don't often see from a high schooler, and it speaks to his attitude.

As a rule of thumb, players who want consistent playing time on Southern Durham's defense need to be able to play multiple positions. That versatility is common in one of the best secondaries in the state, and immediately jumps out on Whimper's profile. He can play outside or inside, and I think he projects best as a slot corner, as I think he could be a multi-year starter at that position in college. He has excellent length and recovery speed, but his best traits are his deceleration and explosion. He's able to change direction at the top of routes or peel off his receiver to make plays when the ball goes elsewhere. He's a sure tackler and limits yardage after the catch, a bonus when he's working in limited space inside.

Marrow is another North Carolina Central commit who plays in a crowded position room at West Forsyth. While he's a two-way athlete, I think he's best suited for a slot receiver role. While he often operated on handoffs and screens, he also thrived on slot fades and throws down the field. He isn't afraid to operate over the middle, and he uses his excellent acceleration allows him to create separation immediately after the catch. There's nothing in his profile to suggest he can't work outside the numbers, but in West Forsyth's offense, he was at his best over the middle of the field. He has a nose for the end zone with 12 touchdowns, only six of them as a receiver.