I recently wrote about Ethan’s commitment to Marshall, and you can see why Ethan was successful in leading the Huskies to their first-ever state championship. The intangibles for him are off the charts, and it matches his on-field talent as well. The dynamic dual-threat quarterback makes special plays consistently on Friday nights with his speed and scrambling ability. Royal is surrounded by dynamic playmakers, and it allows Hough to spread the field, creating natural lanes for him to run on designed runs or scrambles off of passing plays consistently. Royal can also make throws from the pocket to a talented receiving core who can take advantage of single coverage from teams loading up to slow down the run. It’s a great system for Ethan to shine, and I think he will once again this season.

The final commitment of the night came from Ethan, the team’s star quarterback and our #1 quarterback in the 2027 class in North Carolina. I have to share that Ethan personally reached out to me with a message to come to the ceremony, and that’s something that I’ve never received in my media role in over 10 years. That tells you how special and different this young man is. His talents on the field are well known – the dual-threat quarterback who brought the Huskies their first state championship. Coach Baker shared a nice story on how Ethan promised he would create history by bringing a championship to Corneilus, and how he reminded everyone of that promise in the state championship game.

Ethan had over 30 offers to play college football, and ultimately took the stage with the largest contingent of family and friends I’ve ever seen, reflective of all the support behind him and the people he touches. Ethan displayed several hats in front of him, but as he narrowed the choices, he threw the hats to fans and teammates in attendance – something I’ve never seen before. Ultimately, Ethan emphatically announced that he was going to attend Marshall, and I think that’s a great choice. I think Ethan will have a chance to play early and make a real impact for a program that will benefit from his infectious energy and creativity on the field.

Our 704 Junior Bowl QB gets another accolade, being the top-ranked quarterback out of Mecklenburg County as well. College programs are now taking notice of what we’ve already known, as Ethan has picked up recent offers from Samford, Eastern Michigan, and Kent State since the start of 2026. Ethan’s dual-threat ability keeps plays alive for the Husky offense, and this season, I expect we’re going to see even more dynamic ability throwing the football down the field with the talented teammates Ethan has in his program this upcoming year.

Ethan Royal Ethan Royal 6'2" | 195 lbs | QB William A. Hough | 2027 State NC , rising senior quarterback, capped off a huge season by being named the 8A State Championship Game Overall MVP, cementing his status as one of the premier signal-callers in the state. Royal threw for 2,272 passing yards and 29 touchdowns, while adding 721 rushing yards and 14 rushing scores, proving to be a true dual-threat weapon. He can dissect defenses from the pocket with timing and touch, but when plays break down, he has the athleticism to turn broken plays into explosive gains. Royal’s command of the offense, production, and big-game performance all point to a quarterback ready to lead at the next level.

A state-championship quarterback is almost a no-brainer for inclusion on our 704 Junior Bowl team. Ethan took the questions people had at the beginning of the season about him leading a talented Huskies program and flushed them down the toilet. His dual-threat ability week in and week out made highlight plays for the Hough offense look routine. Ethan’s propensity to come through in clutch situations against tough opponents was something fun to watch, most notably in Week 1 against a South Carolina state champion in South Pointe at Bank of America Stadium. Ethan is getting Division 1 offers now and deservedly so.

Royal does so much that goes beyond the box score,l and while Hough didn’t play many close games in 2025, when they needed a clutch play, it was Royal who stepped up to provide it. He became a bigger rushing threat this year, but it’s his arm talent that has him ranked as the top 2027 quarterback, and I’m told by several of his training partners that his arm strength and accuracy haven’t hit their respective ceilings.

Royal is a gamer, and despite leading arguably the best team in the state, you have to see him in person to really appreciate his talent. He can make every throw, and though his raw numbers aren’t in that elite category, his arm talent and pocket movement are. He rarely takes sacks, and he’s not afraid to tuck it and run in key situations. He averaged almost nine yards a carry and scored four touchdowns in the playoffs last season.

Ethan Royal Ethan Royal 6'2" | 195 lbs | QB William A. Hough | 2027 State NC was the overall Game MVP, delivering when it mattered most. The junior quarterback accounted for three touchdowns, capping off his night with a back-breaking 75-yard touchdown run that put the game completely out of reach. Royal showcased his elite athleticism and playmaking ability, stressing the defense both with his arm and his legs. Already holding several Division I offers, his performance on the state’s biggest stage should only add more to that list this offseason. A true difference-maker and an elite athlete at the quarterback position. 🏈

Ethan Royal Ethan Royal 6'2" | 195 lbs | QB William A. Hough | 2027 State NC , Hough’s 2027 QB, has been a true dual-threat force all season. He scored twice last week against West Charlotte and enters the 8A title game with more than 2,500 total yards and 37 total touchdowns, the engine behind the Huskies’ historic championship run.