Freshman Friday: 2026 Ep. 7

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Welcome back to Episode 7 of <em>Freshman Friday</em>, where we highlight some of the top freshmen in the state. Our initial 64-player watchlist has ballooned to what will be over 100 freshmen at the next rankings update (Oct. 26). Here, we're sharing five new scouting reports. Which 2030 prospects should be on your radar?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Freshman Friday: Five Class of 2030 Players To Watch</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Editor's Note: While I like to organize recurring articles, part of the fun of Freshman Friday is the randomness. I'm not looking at any one position, and I hardly have any method for deciding which players to feature. We have 64 players on our initial watchlist, and that group will only grow throughout the season.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/freshman-friday-2026-ep-1/">Episode 1</a></em><br><em><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/freshman-friday-2026-ep-2/">Episode 2</a></em><br><em><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/09/freshman-friday-2026-ep-3/">Episode 3</a></em><br><em><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/09/freshman-friday-2026-episode-4/">Episode 4</a></em><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/09/freshman-friday-2026-ep-5/"><em>Episode 5</em></a><br><em><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/09/freshman-friday-2026-ep-6/">Episode 6</a></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2387091"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ac0749f2af20"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Whenever we see a young player contributing on both sides of the ball and seeing his playing time increase each week, we pay attention. Right now, Dixon is playing most on defense, where he shows impressive instincts as a linebacker and lives around the ball. He's improving his pad level in run defense, and with some more time in the weight room, Dixon could become a physically imposing middle linebacker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1667657"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ac0749f2af82"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brooks can play multiple positions on both sides of the ball, and he's thriving on the JV squad this year for Southwest Onslow. I like his vision as a running back and think that will ultimately be his future position. He shows good patience and will run through arm tackles, too. He has a team attitude, and he's willing to do what he's asked to help his team win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2400658"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ac0749f2afb9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Patrick is one of a few freshmen contributing to a young and talented Charlotte Christian squad. As a whole, the Knights might have the best 2030 class in the state. Patrick is actually getting a ton of run as a receiver, kick returner, and defensive back. Though he's a smaller receiver, he operates well on the outside, thanks to impressive speed and a feel for how to stress defenders at the top of his routes. I'm watching closely, because his acceleration, speed, and early feel for route-running suggest he could end up as a top recruit in the class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1921578"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ac0749f2afea"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wooding is a massive two-way lineman who has a great motor for his size. He's playing both ways on JV, and I'm impressed with how many hustle plays I see from the big guy. He loves to finish blocks, will chase down quarterbacks, and doesn't just stand there and hope his teammates will finish a tackle when they make contact. He loves to jump in and help bring ball carriers down. I'm excited to see which side of the ball he ultimately specializes in. I think it'll probably be at defensive tackle, but we'll just have to follow him as he develops.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2371187"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ac0749f2b018"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brown is the leading receiver for A.C. Reynolds as a freshman, largely due to his elusiveness in the open field. He rarely gets brought down on first contact and has a knack for finding open space. He has all three aspects of speed: lateral agility, acceleration, and speed. The A.C. Reynolds offense as a whole has struggled against a difficult schedule this year. As the Rockets get a few winnable games, I'm intrigued to see what Brown can do.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Which other freshmen need to be on our radar? Let me know on Twitter (<a href="https://x.com/whelms21">@whelms21</a>). <em>Want to get in front of our scouts? Sign up for our <a href="https://events.prepredzone.com/e/2586/register/stock-up-showcase-carolinas">Stock Up Showcase</a>. Use code <strong>SUHelms25OFF</strong> for 25% off registration.</em></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->