2023 North Carolina Risers

The state of North Carolina consistently churns out Division one caliber prospects year after year. We already know about the big-name 2021 prospects, like [player_tooltip player_id="28433" first="Will" last="Shipley"] of Weddington. However, we wanted to take a look at the up-and-coming prospects you may have not heard of just yet. Specifically, we took a look a the state’s top sophomores in the 2023 class. Here’s who stood out on tape. <hr /> <strong><em>QB: [player_tooltip player_id="44970" first="Tad" last="Hudson"], 6’3, 210, William A. Hough</em></strong> On film, Hudson isn’t phased against the rush. He simply climbs the pocket with his eyes downfield and will deliver a strike to his target in stride. He shows good placement on his deep ball and can fit the football into tight windows. Hudson shows a high football IQ and will work through his progression down to his check-down if need be. He was masterful in the RPO game as a freshman and tormented overhang players by throwing behind them. He should be one of the more heavily recruited 2023 QB’s in the country. <strong><em>ATH: [player_tooltip player_id="44968" first="Rico" last="Walker"], 6’4, 220, Hickory</em></strong> A talented defensive end who plays with an extremely high motor. Walker is so fun to watch on tape, as he rarely gives up on any play. As a pass rusher, he plays with good knee bend and has some serious pop behind his punch. He can beat you with not only his strength but also his speed. On film, he’s sporty as he lined up as a true defensive end and a standup outside linebacker. On offense, they pretty much just threw it up to him, and he used his leaping ability and athleticism to consistently make plays for his team. Walker has a very high ceiling and a ton of raw potential. <em><strong>WR: [player_tooltip player_id="44969" first="Christian" last="Hamilton"], 6’, 170, Hickory Ridge</strong></em> Hamilton is a star with the ball in his hands after the catch. He quickly tucks the football and accelerates up the field like it’s second nature. He shows no issues tracking the football in the air. He is a hands catcher through and through who softly catches the rock away from his body. On film, he showed he can turn on the jets and will simply run right by opposing cornerbacks. His cuts are so explosive, and he’s shown that he can stop on a dime and drop his hips with ease. Hamilton is a solid blocker who is willing to do the dirty work on the perimeter. <strong><em>LB: Cahari Haynes, 6’2, 200, Burns</em></strong> Haynes does a good job of scraping down the line of scrimmage and making tackles from the backside. He shows solid quickness off the edge and has a knack for producing tackles for loss. Haynes is a see ball get ball linebacker and will accelerate towards potential tackle opportunities. I was beyond impressed by the pure physicality he sported as just a freshman. This kid plays the game fearlessly and is going to wreak havoc on opposing teams over the next three seasons. <em><strong>WR: [player_tooltip player_id="50903" first="Chris" last="Lawson Jr."], 6’1, 175, Hough</strong></em> A home run threat out of the slot who runs really crisp routes for a youngster. He shows no issues when defenders try to reroute him and will push right back onto his path. Lawson has exceptional body control and can consistently make catches out of awkward body positions. He’s got deceptive speed and understands the importance of route tempo to lull defensive backs to sleep. He eats up man coverage and is a major redzone threat.