Way-Too-Early 7A Top 10

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Amidst plenty of <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/top-10-wrs-in-wake-county/">county deep dives</a>, I'm working my way through "way-too-early" classification previews. In my opinion, it's not too early to look ahead to the 2026 season, but many fans may not be completely familiar with some of the younger players who will tell the story of the season. I started with&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/way-too-early-6a-top-10/">6A</a>, then looked at&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/way-too-early-8a-top-10/">8A</a> and <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/way-too-early-4a-top-10/">4A</a>, before finishing the even classifications with <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/way-too-early-2a-top-10/">2A</a>. Let's start off the odd classes with the 7A class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Let's Predict the Top 10 7A Teams</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7A is arguably the deepest class in the state. The 8A class is limited to the 32 biggest schools (by enrollment) in the state, making the much larger 7A class the best of the rest. State semifinalists Weddington, Grimsley, Clayton, and Cardinal Gibbons all replace quarterbacks, but they'll again contend. Can any other teams challenge the traditional favorites?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's only March, but here are my top 10 in the 7A class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">1) Grimsley Whirlies</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grimsley is still Grimsley, even if the Whirlies lost a ton of talent. We learned last year that we shouldn't expect much, if any, dropoff at the quarterback position. Rising sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1048930' first='Brody' last='Lowe']</strong> was sensational when thrust into a starting role last season, and the secondary is arguably the best in the state between <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2110745' first='EJ' last='Davis']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1788066' first='Makai' last='Yon']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2111006' first='Ramir' last='Harris-Dupree']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you're looking for a reason to <em>not</em> rank Grimsley first, the offensive line is decimated by graduation, and may take a few weeks to gel. The defensive line is still elite, with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1051029' first='Tristan' last='Wardlaw']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2078038' first='Jaiden' last='Wardlaw']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1607067' first='Andrew' last='Rogers']</strong> returning after combining for 18 sacks last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">2) Cardinal Gibbons Crusaders</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Crusaders, too, lost a Power Four quarterback. Though he hasn't played much at the varsity level, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2135309' first='Mason' last='Karras']</strong> has already impressed the coaching staff and has the inside track to start. The top-end talent is elite, as <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='320308' first='Xavier' last='Hasan']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1044292' first='Skylar' last='Alston']</strong> are the top players at their respective positions in their classes, and offensive lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1607759' first='Malek' last='Griffin']</strong> was recently named the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/top-8-ol-in-wake-county/">top offensive lineman in Wake County</a>. If the Crusaders can get a breakout season from a younger skill player or two, they will be extremely dangerous.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">3) Clayton Comets</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clayton has its next quarterback, and I think we could have a massive season from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2137702' first='Damacio' last='Cueto']</strong>. Like a couple of these other teams, Clayton lost some key skill players and will need some unproven players to break out this year. Expect a huge season from offensive jack-of-all-trades <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='561878' first='Terris' last='Hobbs']</strong>. I also expect <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1905582' first='Khalin' last='Rogers']</strong> to have a big season with more opportunities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The strength of the team is in the defensive backfield, where <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='366314' first='AK' last='Crumel']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1715912' first='Daniel' last='Lovelace-Davis']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1646236' first='Malachi' last='Burt']</strong> are some of the top players in their respective classes. Can a defensive line led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='444280' first='Jordan' last='Hamm']</strong> stay dangerous after losing a Power Four signee?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">4) Garner Trojans</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Only four teams on this list return their quarterback, and Garner is the only one in the top seven. Not only that, but <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1625015' first='Christian' last='Ormandy']</strong> has as much experience as any passer in the class, with almost 600 career attempts, 4,000 passing yards, and 43 total touchdowns. That alone should put the Trojans in contention, but that's not all they have.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Leading rusher <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1225217' first='Amir' last='Wallace']</strong> returns, as do two of the top three receivers, and a large contingent of the defense that broke out last season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1397877' first='AJ' last='Randle']</strong> has gone from a good player to an elite player after moving from safety to linebacker, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1309290' first='Levi' last='Archible']</strong> impressed in the secondary last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">5) Weddington Warriors</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Candidly, Weddington gets more of a boost in this list from past results than from the proven talent available on the roster. The Warriors lost a ton from an elite defense last season, and will need to reload (which they've done before).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1234087' first='Rex' last='Conlon']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1608334' first='Samuel' last='Wright Jr'].</strong> will be counted on to lead an inexperienced defensive unit, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1291000' first='Anthony' last='Barrino']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1029787' first='Matthew' last='McCoy']</strong>, and <strong>Brian Walker</strong> are the only three returners who had at least 200 yards on offense last season. Still, never count the Warriors out, and we've heard they may have a couple of potential difference-makers in the 2030 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">6) Reagan Raiders</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reagan played a very different game than I expected last year. Instead of relying on a veteran passing attack, the Raiders made inexperienced back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1616114' first='John' last='Evans Jr.']</strong> a workhorse (2,000 yards), while riding a strong defense. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2127005' first='Eli' last='Davis']</strong> is the top returning receiver on a team that likely needs a second playmaker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1617737' first='King' last='Kalama']</strong> leads a defense that was phenomenal last season, and the Raiders return eight of their 11 leading tacklers. They surprised some people last year, but they're a known commodity this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">7) Southeast Raleigh Bulldogs</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Southeast Raleigh returns both key running backs (<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='378921' first='Christian' last='Freeman']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1251476' first='James' last='Adams'] IV</strong>) and a fantastic young offensive line (<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='548207' first='Grayson' last='Williams']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2110441' first='Zamir' last='Jackson']</strong>). I'm inclined to believe the Bulldogs may ride that running game, especially given the changes on defense. They'll want to avoid shootouts, especially early, to build confidence with a young but talented defense</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">8) Southern Durham Spartans</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Southern Durham lost its projected starter at quarterback in the preseason to transfer last year, but that didn't matter. Elite athlete <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1217496' first='Jonathan' last='Dillon']</strong> stepped in, not only thriving as a runner, but putting up an incredible passing display (So much so that we'd give him an FCS grade as a pure quarterback). The two-way talent on the Spartans' roster is unmatched, with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1159953' first='Lance' last='Henderson']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1607799' first='Kamari' last='Holloway']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2112037' first='Jayden' last='Bowman']</strong> excelling on both sides of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Watch for <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2109373' first='Kye' last='Johnson']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1717882' first='Kobe' last='Whimper']</strong> on defense, and if the Spartans can get just a bit more out of their depth, <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/7a-sleepers-in-2026/">they're a contender to make a deep run</a> this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">9) Lake Norman Wildcats</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With all of the turnover at quarterback in the 7A class, teams with ascending passing prospects have to feel confident. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1616126' first='Kaden' last='Craft']</strong> is a potential national recruit, but he's still a raw high school starter who grew tremendously last season. So, too, could be said about rising junior receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1657753' first='Doc' last='Caldwell']</strong>, who has room to grow before he hits his impressive athletic ceiling.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defense is experienced and returns a bunch of production. Look for <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='379024' first='Memphys' last='Barb']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1152715' first='Charlie' last='Jones']</strong> to elevate their play this season and give that defense just a bit more.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">10) Independence Patriots</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Independence has had plenty of turnover this offseason, essentially swapping coaches with West Charlotte. But highly effective quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='915835' first='Jared' last='Street']</strong> returns to lead the offense. This team loses a lot of talent, but the offensive line (<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1150991' first='Moreno' last='Fisher Jr.']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1815366' first='Lance' last='Martin']</strong>) is talented, and the Patriots return their best receiver (<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2112027' first='Zakai' last='Milton']</strong>). What can a young defense do to elevate the high floor?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>This is the time of year when we have the most time to dive into film, re-evaluate prospects, and change our minds about players. Send your film on Twitter/X (<a href="https://x.com/whelms21">@whelms21</a>), so I can evaluate you.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->