Carolina Recruits Rising Stars WatchList (2030-2031)

The future is bright in the Carolina Recruits Region. While the spotlight often shines on high school standouts making waves on Friday nights, there's an impressive crop of youth talent in the c/o 2030 and 2031 classes who are already showing flashes of elite potential. These young athletes are beginning to build their reputations on the field with raw talent, exciting production, and the kind of work ethic that points toward big things ahead.   This is Version 1.0 of the Rising Star Watchlist, a weekly feature highlighting some of the most promising players in the younger classes. Each week, more names will be added as these future standouts continue to prove themselves. This isn't a ranking — it's a growing spotlight on athletes who deserve to be recognized early for the impact they're making and the potential they hold.    Ziggy Williams (ATH/QB, Westover Middle, c/o 2030) Williams is already making waves as the leader of one of the most explosive offenses in the area. Despite battling through a lower leg injury, he still managed to throw 2 touchdown passes in his latest outing, showing toughness and composure beyond his years. What sets Williams apart is his decision-making ability — he processes quickly, keeps his offense on schedule, and finds ways to make plays even when not at 100%. While he may not project as a quarterback at the next level, his athleticism and football IQ make him a name to watch closely in the Carolina Recruits Rising Star Watchlist.     Montae Boney (ATH, Westover Middle, c/o 2030) Boney is the definition of versatility, lining up at DB and WR and proving he can impact a game on both sides of the ball. With the ability to score from anywhere on the field, he's already shown himself to be a big-play threat every time he touches the ball. What makes him stand out even more is his aggressiveness — he competes with an edge and doesn't shy away from physical matchups. With his athleticism and mindset, Boney projects as the kind of player who can line up anywhere once he gets to high school, giving coaches a valuable chess piece on both offense and defense.     Glen has quickly established himself as one of the top young defenders in the region, showing elite instincts and natural ball-hawking ability from the secondary. He plays with confidence, reacts quickly to the ball in the air, and has a knack for turning defense into offense with his playmaking skills. Already a “problem” for opposing quarterbacks at the middle school level, Glen projects as a lockdown defensive back with the tools to develop into a major impact player once he reaches high school.     Smith might be the most gifted pure athlete in his class across the city. A true do-it-all talent, he can run, catch, and deliver hits with equal effectiveness, making him a matchup nightmare no matter where he lines up. His combination of explosiveness, toughness, and natural feel for the game sets him apart from his peers. With the ceiling he has, it's hard to imagine him ever suiting up for a JV squad in high school — he looks destined to make an immediate varsity impact.     Antonio Cook (ATH, Lewis Chapel, c/o 2030) Cook is another electric young athlete who can take over a game the moment the ball is in his hands. He combines speed, quickness, and strength, giving him the ability to make defenders miss in space or power through contact. What sets him apart at this stage is his confidence — he plays fast and without hesitation, which makes him dangerous every snap. With his natural athleticism and fearless approach, Cook is already showing signs of being a special player as he develops.     Amir Patterson Jr. (WR, South View, c/o 2030) Patterson is already a matchup nightmare on the outside, using his size and athleticism to dominate defenders in single coverage. A true “monster” at wide receiver, he creates instant mismatches and makes it nearly impossible for defensive backs to contain him one-on-one. With his frame, ball skills, and competitive edge, Patterson has all the makings of a future No. 1 target and is quickly becoming one of the most feared young playmakers in the region.     Thompson is a two-way playmaker who makes his presence felt on both sides of the ball. At running back, he's tough to bring down and has the burst to score from anywhere on the field, giving South View a constant home-run threat. On defense, he's just as impactful, recently grabbing an interception in a game where he showcased his instincts and ball skills at DB. With his versatility, toughness, and playmaking ability, Thompson looks like one of the most well-rounded young athletes in his class.     Logan is quickly developing into a reliable wideout with the tools to excel at the next level. With his good size, dependable hands, and crisp route-running, he gives quarterbacks a steady target who can be trusted in key situations. More than just a big-play threat, Logan's consistency and ability to move the chains make him a valuable piece in South View's young offense. His skill set and dependability point to a bright future as he continues to refine his game.     James is already one of the more well-known young offensive players in the region, but his upside on defense may be just as impressive. With great size and the ability to make open-field tackles, he projects well at both DB and LB, showing the versatility to contribute all over the field. His athleticism and football IQ allow him to transition smoothly between roles, and his physicality makes him a tone-setter on defense. A true all-around athlete, James is a name to remember as he continues to grow into one of the most complete players in his class.     Owen is already showing the traits of a future star in the trenches, with great size for an 8th grader and the athleticism to match. A disruptive force up front, he's not just a run-stopper — he's proven he can make game-changing plays, including an interception returned for a touchdown. With his physical tools and early impact, Owen looks destined to be a four-year varsity player once he reaches high school. His combination of size, athleticism, and playmaking ability makes him a name to circle on the Rising Star Watchlist.     Cheveres is a dynamic multi-sport athlete whose skills translate perfectly to the quarterback position. A natural point guard on the basketball court, he plays QB with the same vision and creativity, distributing the ball, reading defenses, and making plays under pressure. Already a true dual-threat, Cheveres can beat defenses with his arm or legs, giving him the versatility to keep defenses guessing. With years of development still ahead of him, his athleticism and feel for the game suggest he could grow into one of the most dangerous young quarterbacks in the region.     Smith is already turning heads as a powerful, fast running back who looks the part of a varsity player despite being only in 7th grade. At his age, he already carries himself like a high school freshman, with the strength to run through defenders and the speed to pull away in the open field. His combination of size, explosiveness, and natural instincts make him one of the most promising young backs in the region and a clear early standout on the Rising Star Watchlist.     Ezekial Wade (RB, Lumberton Middle, c/o 2031) Wade is another standout 7th grader who already has the size and speed to make an immediate impact at any level. A natural runner with the strength to finish through contact and the burst to hit open lanes, he's quickly become a name to remember in the Lumberton program. With his frame and athleticism, Wade projects as a future workhorse back and a player who will only get more dangerous as he continues to develop. He's firmly stamped his place on the Rising Star Watchlist for the c/o 2031 class.     Johnson is already one of the more polished young quarterbacks in the Carolina Recruits Region. With great size for his age and mechanics that look advanced beyond his years, he's shown the ability to command an offense with poise and precision. Johnson's maturity at the position sets him apart — he reads defenses well, delivers an accurate ball, and looks comfortable in big moments. As he continues to develop, he has the tools to become one of the top quarterback prospects in his class, making him a clear name to highlight on the Rising Star Watchlist.     Ray showed Thursday night why he's already considered one of the best all-around athletes in his class. Whether lining up on offense or defense, he consistently stood out as a difference-maker. Ray found the end zone a couple of times — even though some scores were called back — proving his ability to create big plays whenever he touches the ball. His versatility and impact on both sides of the ball make him one of the most exciting young prospects in the area and a lock for the Rising Star Watchlist.     Adams is a true home-run hitter out of the backfield, the kind of player who can flip a game in an instant. Explosive and dynamic with the ball in his hands, he's already shown he can score in multiple ways — including on special teams with kickoff returns. Every touch is a threat, and his speed and vision make him one of the most dangerous young athletes in the region. Adams' versatility and big-play ability firmly secure his place on the Rising Star Watchlist.

The future is bright in the Carolina Recruits Region. While the spotlight often shines on high school standouts making waves on Friday nights, there's an impressive crop of youth talent in the c/o 2030 and 2031 classes who are already showing flashes of elite potential. These young athletes are beginning to build their reputations on the field with raw talent, exciting production, and the kind of work ethic that points toward big things ahead.