HighSchoolOT’s sixth-annual All-State Football Team has been completed. Below, you’ll find our selections for offensive players, defensive players, two-way players, and special teams players.
The HSOT All-State football team is comprehensive by seeking out not only individual stats for each player but Hudl film for players (even for offensive linemen and defensive backs) and input from coaches across the state.
HighSchoolOT’s 2025-26 All-State teams are presented by Talk It Out NC
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Counting all first team, second team, third team, and honorable mention selections, there are a total of 250 players from across North Carolina.
There are 75 offensive players, 75 defensive players, 50 two-way players, and 50 special teams players. To be eligible, a player must play in an athletic association and must not be in their fifth year of high school.
HSOT’s All-Region teams for the 2025 season will release to Insiders over the next six days.
See our all-state football teams from previous years:
HSOT All-State Football: Offensive Players
Kendre Harrison (0) of Reidsville. Reidsville defeated West Craven on December 4, 2025 (Photo: Evan Moesta/HighSchoolOT)
For offense, there are two QBs, three RBs, three WRs, one TE, five OL, and one “ATH” position on each offensive team with 30 honorable mention regardless of position. The “ATH” could be a “wing back” who spends time in the backfield and split out wide or it could be an option quarterback who was dynamic on the ground and through the air.
One player has returned for the fourth time: Reidsville’s Kendre Harrison (previously: HM defense, 1st team offense x 2). Harrison is just the third player to ever be selected to four consecutive HSOT All-State Football teams. His teammate, Dionte Neal, has made it for the third time. Neal missed as a sophomore after he dealt with injuries that season.
First Team
QB: Lan Farmer, Shelby (senior) – Gardner-Webb – 234/332 passing (70.5%), 4,228 yds (12.7/att, 238.8/gm), 56 TDs, 7 INTs; 113 carries, 467 yds (4.1/car, 29.2/gm), 15 TDs
QB: Cade Keller, Watauga (senior) – Wingate – 200/262 passing (76.3%), 3,164 yds (12.1/att, 210.9/gm), 39 TDs, 3 INTs; 86 carries, 683 yds (7.9/car, 45.5/gm), 12 TDs
RB: JJ Gulat, Dixon (senior) – Midland (NAIA) – 354 carries, 3,361 yds (9.5/car, 280.1/gm), 43 TDs; 340 pass yds, 2 TDs
RB: Teo McPhatter, Princeton (sophomore) – – 352 carries, 2,457 yds (6.9/car, 204.8/gm), 36 TDs; 326 pass yds, 8 TDs, 1 INT // (defense) 41 (3.4/gm), 3 TFL, 5 INTs, 1 FF // (special teams) 756 return yds, 1 PR TD
RB: Jaylen Moore, High Point Christian (senior) – NCISAA All-State – 299 carries, 2,413 yds (8.1/carry, 201.1/gm), 40 TDs, 1 2 pt.; 14 rec, 221 yds, 2 TDs // (special teams) 418 KOR yds, 3 KOR TDs, 327 PR yds, 1 PR TD
WR: Tyreek Copper, Kinston (senior) – N.C. State – 105 rec, 2,242 yds (21.4/rec, 140.1/gm), 33 TDs // (defense) 9 tackles, 1 INT, 1 FF
WR: Dionte Neal, Reidsville (senior) – UNC-Greensboro basketball – 68 rec, 1,352 yds (19.9/rec, 90.1/gm), 18 TDs; 43 carries, 511 yds (11.9/carry, 34.1/gm), 8 TDs, 6 2 pt.; 542 pass yds, 10 pass TDs, 0 INTs // (defense) 14 tackles, 7 INTs, 2 INTs returned for a TD, 1 PBU, 1 FR // (special teams) 256 KOR yds, 1 KOR TD, 179 PR yds, 1 PR TD
WR: Tristan Thompson-Wynn, Brevard (junior) – – 81 rec, 1,450 yds (17.9/rec, 96.7/gm), 20 TDs; 4 carries, 34 yds, 1 TD // (defense) 28 tackles (1.9/gm), 5 INTs, 2 PBUs, 1 FF, 1 FR returned for a TD // (special teams) 448 return yds, 3 KOR TDs, 1 PR TD
ATH (QB): Aiden Smalls, Clayton (senior) – N.C. State – 121/222 passing (54.5%), 1,892 yds (8.5/att, 126.1/gm), 21 TDs, 6 INTs; 197 carries, 1,515 yds (7.7/car, 101.0/gm), 26 TDs
TE: Kendre Harrison, Reidsville (senior) – Oregon – 64 rec, 1,104 yds (17.3/rec, 73.6/gm), 22 TDs, 6 2 pt. // (defense) 88 tackles (5.9/gm), 12 TFLs, 6.5 sacks, 38 QB hurries, 7 PBUs, 2 FF, 1 blocked FG
OL: Cooper Hodson, Providence Day (4th year junior) – – “1st Team All Conference. 1st Team All State. Best player on the best OL I’ve ever coached. Led team in (true) pancakes with 20 and grade 95%”
OL: Nick Kashubara, Grimsley (senior) – Appalachian State – “Graded out over 90% for the season and his career / Big time run blocker”
OL: Ekene Ogboko, South Garner (senior) – Georgia – “Played 92% of all snaps, 96% Block Efficiency Grade for the Season, 44 Pancake Blocks, 60 Total Tackles, 53 Solo, 27 TFLs, 2 Sacks, 6 Hurries, 2 Forced Fumbles, 1 Fumble Rec. (20 Yard Return)”
OL: Jarvis Potts, Hough (senior) – Appalachian State –
OL: Grayson Williams, Southeast Raleigh (sophomore) – – (defense) 17 tackles 6 TFL 1 sack (special teams) 3 blocked kicks
Grayson Williams (79) of Southeast Raleigh. Southeast Raleigh defeated Clayton on October 3rd, 2025 (Photo: Joshua Chayer/HighSchooOT)Second Team
QB: Ely Hamrick, Crest (senior) – Virginia – 181/263 passing (68.8%), 2,919 yds (11.1/att, 194.6/gm), 29 TDs, 7 INTs; 133 carries, 793 yds (6.0/car, 52.9/gm), 19 TDs
QB: Zaid Lott, Providence Day (senior) – Syracuse – 184/277 passing (66.4%), 2,497 yds (9.0/att, 208.1/gm), 35 TDs, 4 INTs; 101 carries, 708 yds (7.0/car, 59.0/gm), 13 TDs
RB: Cameron Clem, Murphy (junior) – – 177 carries, 1,723 yds (9.7/car, 143.6/gm), 30 TDs; 8 rec, 91 yds
RB: Jamarae Lamb, Wallace-Rose Hill (senior) – Lenoir-Rhyne – 275 carries, 2,426 yds (8.8/car, 202.2/gm), 30 TDs; 58 pass yds, 1 TD; 7 rec, 66 yds
RB: Parker Willis, North Henderson (sophomore) – – 256 carries, 2,148 yds (8.4/car, 195.3/gm), 24 TDs; 6 rec, 95 yds, 1 TD
WR: Braylon Clark, Charlotte Country Day (sophomore) – – 65 rec, 1,093 yds (16.8/rec, 109.3/gm), 12 TDs
WR: Devin Goldston, Leesville Road (senior) – Wake Forest – 66 rec, 1,074 yds (16.3/rec, 89.5/gm), 10 TDs // (defense) 21 tackles, 2 TFL, 2 INTs, 4 PBUs, 1 FR // (special teams) 27 punts, 30.7 avg, 8 inside 20; 288 return yds, 1 KOR TD
WR: Gordon Sellars, Providence Day (senior) – Clemson – 59 rec, 917 yds (15.5/rec, 70.5/gm), 15 TDs
ATH (QB): DJ Davis, West Craven (senior) – – 116/207 passing (56.0%), 2,139 yds (10.3/att, 152.8/gm), 28 TDs, 10 INTs; 202 carries, 1,370 yds (6.8/car, 97.9/gm), 28 TDs // (defense) 34 tackles (2.4/gm), 3 INTs, 4 PBUs
TE: Jaxon Dollar, East Lincoln (junior) – – 54 rec, 1,190 yds (22.0/rec, 99.2/gm), 20 TDs; 1 rush TD; 63 pass yds // (defense) 38 tackles (3.2/gm), 13 TFL, 5 sacks, 3 QB hurries, 4 PBUs, 2 FF, 1 FR returned for a TD, 1 blocked FG
OL: Eisa Evans, Reagan (senior) – Appalachian State –
OL: Donovan Johnson, Pine Forest (senior) – Rutgers –
OL: Bryce Johnson, Weddington (junior) – –
OL: Adrian McCloud, West Forsyth (senior) – Alabama State – “6’3,300lbs, 91% grade all year; 31 pancakes, 0 sacks allowed”
OL: Elijah Shoe, Jay M. Robinson (senior) – Elon –
Braylon Clark (3) of Charlotte Country Day School. Charlotte Country Day School defeated Ben L. Smith on September 5, 2025 (Photo: Matthew Laczko/HighSchoolOT)Third Team
QB: Tyler Jones, Kinston (senior) – Mars Hill – 270/403 passing (67.0%), 4,424 yds (10.9/att, 276.5/gm), 58 TDs, 14 INTs; -58 rush yds, 4 TDs
QB: Grant Lawless, East Lincoln (senior) – Wake Forest – 168/254 passing (66.1%), 2,876 yds (11.3/att, 238.7/gm), 33 TDs, 4 INTs; 83 carries, 436 yds (5.3/car, 36.3/gm), 12 TDs
RB: Jeremiah Hall, James Kenan (senior) – – 182 carries, 2,060 yds (11.3/car, 147.1/gm), 27 TDs; 6 rec, 95 yds, 2 TDs // (defense) 84 tackles (6.0/gm), 7 TFL, 2 FF
RB: Amari Pearson, Jacksonville (junior) – – 173 carries, 1,935 yds (11.2/car, 148.8/gm), 30 TDs; 6 rec, 17 yds
RB: Carell Phillips, North Duplin (senior) – – 222 carries, 2,049 yds (9.2/car, 170.8/gm), 28 TDs; 2 rec, 11 yds, 2 TDs
WR: Jackson Greene, East Carteret (senior) – Barton – 72 rec, 1,351 yds (18.8/rec, 112.6/gm), 17 TDs // (defense) 33 tackles (2.8/gm), 2 INTs, 4 PBUs, 2 FR
WR: Ryder McClure, Bandys (junior) – – 72 rec, 1,167 yds (16.2/rec, 97.3/gm), 18 TDs; 36 rush yds // (defense) 33 tackles (2.8/gm), 1 INT, 5 PBUs // (special teams) 303 KOR yds
WR: Marcus Sales, Cannon School (4th year junior) – – 69 rec, 1,131 yds (16.4/rec, 94.3/gm), 16 TDs // (defense) 24 tackles, 1 TFL, 2 INTs, 1 FF, 1 FR
ATH (QB): Kaden Davis, Freedom (senior) – – 138/193 passing (71.5%), 2,440 yds (12.6/att, 203.3/gm), 30 TDs, 3 INTs; 177 carries, 687 yds (3.8/car, 55.6/gm), 15 TDs
TE: Jacob Holland, Midway (senior) – East Carolina – Premier blocker at 6’6, 245; 29 rec, 551 yds (19.0/rec, 50.1/gm), 8 TDs // (defense) 24 tackles (2.2/gm), 1 TFL, 1 FR
OL: Brandon Bevilacqua, Mount Pleasant (senior) – Catawba – “6’2 315LBS (2026) 95% Blocking Grade. Played Center. No Bad snaps all year. Lead an offense that rushed for 2800yds and threw for 1000 yds. Committed to Catawba College”
OL: Preston Broadway, Metrolina Christian (senior) – East Carolina –
OL: Jorquis Broome, West Charlotte (senior) – Lenoir-Rhyne –
OL: Keith Foster Jr., West Forsyth (senior) – – “6’5, 315 lbs, 88% grade year long, 33 pancakes, 1 sack allowed all year”
OL: Rahshad Swinton, Hickory (senior) – Campbell –
Tyler Jones (3) of Kinston. Shelby defeated Kinston in the NCHSAA 3A football state championship on December 13, 2025. (Photo: Joshua Chayer/HighSchoolOT)Honorable Mention
ATH (APB): Zach Cullen, Sun Valley (senior) – – 215 carries, 1,446 yds (6.7/car, 111.2/gm), 15 TDs; 28 rec, 391 yds (13.9/rec, 30.1/gm), 3 TDs; 15 pass yds, 1 TD // (defense) 32 tackles, 5 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 INT returned for a TD // (special teams) 29 punts, 38.0 avg, 10 inside the 20, 3 fake punts
ATH (QB): Rashad Lynch, Lincolnton (junior) – – 144/227 passing (63.4%), 2,699 yds (11.9/att, 192.8/gm), 33 TDs, 9 INTs; 176 carries, 1,116 yds (6.3/car, 79.7/gm), 9 TDs
OL: Gio Diggers, Trask (junior) – –
OL: Ja’Vaughn Hargett, Southern Durham (senior) – East Carolina –
OL: Tee Hollifield, Shelby (sophomore) – – (defense) 19 tackles, 6 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 1 FR
OL: A’Maree Lawrence-Broome, Hough (senior) – Carson-Newman –
OL: Gavin Milton, Grimsley (junior) – – “6’5 290 – 2027 – Graded out at 85% – Multiple FBS offers”
OL: Jonathan Moore, Ashbrook (senior) – Lenoir-Rhyne –
OL: Harry Simpson, Reagan (senior) – East Tennessee State –
OL: Joshua Terry, Statesville (senior) – North Greenville –
OL: Kamel Tillman, Richmond (junior) – – “6’5 300, gave up zero sacks all year on over 250 pass attempts, lined up opposite Zavion Griffin Haynes of Rolesville, PJ Dean of West Forsyth, Rob Lang of NW Guilford, Dawson James of Porter Ridge, and Dallas Brannon of Independence (played DE vs us)”
OL: John Williams, Midway (junior) – – “95% 42 true pancakes only 1 Sack allowed all year”
QB: Faizon Brandon, Grimsley (senior) – Tennessee – 6 games: 66/101 passing (65.3%), 1,116 yds (11.0/att, 186.0/gm), 11 TDs, 1 INT; 32 carries, 233 yds (7.3/car, 38.8/gm), 3 TDs
QB: Brody Lowe, Grimsley (freshman) – – 136/183 passing (74.3%), 2,241 yds (12.3/att, 203.7/gm), 23 TDs. 3 INTs; 4 carries, 31 yds
QB: Jacob Moore, Terry Sanford (senior) – – 179/245 passing (73.1%), 2,465 yds (10.1/att, 205.4/gm), 26 TDs, 2 INTs; 129 carries, 941 yds (7.3/car, 78.4/gm), 17 TDs
RB: John Evans Jr., Reagan (sophomore) – – 266 carries, 2,074 yds (7.8/car, 172.8/gm), 26 TDs; 13 rec, 120 yds, 1 TD
RB: Christian Freeman, Southeast Raleigh (junior) – NC State – 136 carries, 1,236 yds (9.1/car, 112.4/gm), 15 TDs // 25 rec, 376 yds (15.0/rec, 15.0/gm), 6 TDs
RB: Taeshon Martin, Mount Airy (senior) – Campbell – 138 carries, 1,602 yds (11.6/carry, 160.2/gm), 25 TDs; 5 rec, 98 yds, 2 TDs // (defense) 21 tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 INT, 3 PBUs // (special teams) 2 punt returns, 141 yds, 2 TDs
RB: Yoshua McBryde, St. Pauls (senior) – – 197 carries, 1,988 yds (10.1/car, 180.7/gm), 26 TDs; 8 rec, 109 yds, 1 TD
RB: Micah Olu, Wake Forest (junior) – – 230 carries, 1,643 yds (7.1/car, 136.9/gm), 24 TDs; 26 rec, 256 yds (9.8/rec, 21.3/gm), 5 TDs; 361 return yds, 1 KOR TD
RB: Brandon Pinkerton, East Rutherford (senior) – – 188 carries, 1,650 yds (8.8/car, 165.0/gm), 26 TDs; 8 rec, 69 yds; 45 pass yds // (defense) 40 tackles (4.0/gm), 6 TFL, 2 sacks, 2 QB hurries, 2 FR
RB: Kaveaun Pless, South Point (sophomore) – – 226 carries, 1,803 yds (7.9/car, 138.7/gm), 25 TDs; 1 rec, 5 yds
TE: Gavin Barber, Mooresville (senior) – Appalachian State – 30 rec, 475 yds (15.8/rec, 52.8/gm), 9 TDs
TE: D’Jabrien Murray, West Carteret (senior) – – 65 rec, 1,285 yds (19.8/rec, 107.1/gm), 12 TDs // (defense) 14 tackles, 2 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 blocked FG
TE: William Vaughn, Kings Mountain (senior) – NC State – 42 rec, 698 yds (16.6/rec, 63.5/gm), 11 TDs // (defense) 23 tackles (2.1/gm), 4 TFL, 2 QB hurries, 3 INTs, 1 INT returned for a TD, 1 FF
ATH (RB/WR): Rai’Shawn Elmore, Porter Ridge (senior) – Michigan State – 36 rec, 524 yds (14.6/rec, 47.6/gm), 2 TDs; 100 carries, 750 yds (7.5/car, 68.2/gm), 17 TDs
ATH (RB/WR): RJ Lynch, Lincolnton (sophomore) – – 53 rec, 1,158 yds (21.8/rec, 82.7/gm), 15 TDs; 59 carries, 489 yds (8.3/car, 34.9/gm), 5 TDs; 84 pass yds, 1 TD // (defense) 24 tackles (1.7/gm), 3 INTs, 2 PBUs, 1 FF // (special teams) 212 return yds
WR: Tracy Harrington Jr., Middle Creek (senior) – – 82 rec, 1,173 yds (14.3/rec, 83.8/gm), 12 TDs; 29 rush yds, 1 TD // (defense) 10 tackles, 1 INT, 5 PBUs, 1 FR
WR: Jaire Richburg, East Forsyth (senior) – NC State – 62 rec, 834 yds (13.5/rec, 69.5/gm), 13 TDs
WR: Gavin Waddell, Rolesville (senior) – Louisville – 67 rec, 1,025 yds (15.3/rec, 93.2/gm), 7 TDs
Tex Vaughn (15) of Kings Mountain. Ashbrook scored 43 unanswered to defeat Kings Mountain for the first time since 2012. (Photo: Michael Mann Jr/HighSchoolOT)HSOT All-State Football: Defensive Players
Drew Harris (1) of Weddington. Weddington defeats Cuthbertson 33-7 on Friday, October 25, 2024. Weddington advances to 8-0, and Cuthbertson falls to 6-3. ( Photo by: Michael Mann Jr./HighSchoolOT )
For defense, there are three teams of 15 players each. Each team has five defensive linemen, five linebackers, and five defensive backs. This breakdown is simplest way of doing it as many defensive players blur positional lines in modern football. There are 30 players on the honorable mention team, regardless of position.
Unlike last year, the 2025 HSOT All-State team has multiple three-time selections on defense: Aiden and Andrew Harris (previously: 1st & 3rd team defensive), Christopher Bispham (previously: HM defensive x 2), D.J. Joyce (previously: 2nd team defensive, HM defensive), Elijah Littlejohn (previously: HM defensive x 2), and John Archer, the lone three-time junior (previously: 3rd team & HM defensive).
First Team
DL: Christopher Bispham, Havelock (senior) – James Madison – 114 tackles (8.8/gm), 41.5 TFL, 16.5 sacks, 35 QB hurries
DL: Aiden Harris, Weddington (senior) – South Carolina – 84 tackles (6.0/gm), 17.5 TFL, 11 sacks, 30 QB hurries, 4 PBUs, 1 blocked punt
DL: Drew Harris, Weddington (senior) – South Carolina – 70 tackles (5.3/gm), 22.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 21 QB hurries, 4 PBUs, 2 FF, 1 blocked FG
DL: KeShawn Stancil, Clayton (senior) – Miami – 94 tackles, 28 TFL, 7 sacks
DL: Rashad Streets, Millbrook (junior) – – 103 tackles (7.9/gm), 39.5 TFL, 15 sacks, 43 QB hurries, 3 PBUs, 5 FF, 2 FR
LB: Cameron Cartlidge, Walkertown (senior) – N.C. Central – 183 tackles (16.6/gm), 155 solo, 41 TFL, 16 TFL, 1 INT, 5 PBUs, 1 FF, 2 FR // (offense) 46 carries, 296 yds (6.4/car, 26.9/gm), 9 TDs
LB: Quinton Cypher, Millbrook (junior) – Ohio State – 181 tackles (13.9/gm), 48 TFL, 5.5 sacks, 4 INTs, 5 PBUs, 3 FF, 3 FR, 1 blocked punt, 1 FR TD
LB: Caleb Gordon, Ashbrook (senior) – N.C. State – 128 tackles (9.8/gm), 10 TFL, 3 sacks, 2 FR, 1 FF
LB: Jalaythan Mayfield, Lincolnton (junior) – – 152 tackles (11.7/gm), 26 TFL, 6 sacks, 2 QB hurries, 2 PBUs, 6 FF, 1 FR, 1 blocked punt, 1 blocked FG // (offense) 63 carries, 343 yds (5.4/car, 26.4/gm), 13 TDs
LB: Terande Spencer, Richmond (senior) – East Carolina – 91 tackles, 23 TFLs, 10 sacks, 16 QB hurries, 3 PDs, 2 Fumble Recoveries, 2 Forced Fumbles, all in 11 games played, Midsouth Conference POY, ECU
DB: Kosci Barnes, Grimsley (senior) – South Carolina – 66 tackles (4.2/gm), 9 TFL, 1 sack, 6 QB hurries, 4 INTs, 1 INT returned for a TD 5 PBUs, 1 FF, 1 FR // (offense) 6 rec, 97 yds, 1 TD
DB: Evan Burroughs, Watauga (senior) – Duke baseball – 33 tackles (2.2/gm), 1 TFL, 10 INTs, 2 INTs returned for TDs, 1 FR // (offense) 89 rec, 1,315 yds (14.8/rec, 87.7/gm), 17 TDs; 47 carries, 374 yds (8.0/car, 24.9/gm), 7 TDs; 42 pass yds, 1 TD // (special teams) 180 RET yds, 3 blocked FGs
DB: Xavier Hasan, Cardinal Gibbons (junior) – Notre Dame – 17 tackles (1.4/gm), 1 TFL, 3 INTs, 1 PBU // (special teams) 259 return yds, 2 KOR TDs
DB: Samari Matthews, Hough (senior) – Texas – 33 tackles (3.3/gm), 2 TFL, 2 INTs, 3 PBUs, 2 FR
DB: D’Various Surratt, Crest (senior) – NC State – 34 tackles (2.3/gm), 1 TFL, 4 INTs, 8 PBUs, 2 FR // (offense) 10 rec, 220 yds, 3 TDs
Watauga defeated Middle Creek in the NCHSAA 6A football state championship on December 12, 2025. (Photo: Joshua Chayer/HighSchoolOT)Second Team
DL: Rodney Dunham, Myers Park (senior) – Notre Dame – 54 tackles (4.9/gm), 14 TFL, 8 sacks, 39 QB hurries, 1 FF
DL: Ebenezer Ewetade, South Garner (senior) – Notre Dame – 6’4″, 225 lbs, 2026, 70 Tackles, 28 TFLs, 9 Sacks, 25 Hurries, 4 PDs, 4 Fum Rec, 2 Forced Fumbles, 2 FG Blocks
DL: Nathanael Kamba, Corvian Community (junior) – – (defense) 63 tackles (5.3/gm), 27 TFL, 9 sacks, 1 FF // (offense) graded 80%, 21 pancakes
DL: Jackson Laws, Cannon School (junior) – – 107 tackles (8.9/gm), 34 TFL, 19 sacks, 11 QB hurries, 2 PBUs, 1 FR, 1 blocked kick // 2 rec, 21 yds, 1 TD
DL: Davis Prichard, Middle Creek (senior) – Campbell – 128 Tackles. 20 sacks. 42 Tackles for loss
LB: Brandon Creech, Sun Valley (senior) – – 120 tackles (9.2/gm), 25 TFL, 4 sacks, 3 INTs, 3 FF, 4 FR, 2 defensive TDs, 1 blocked punt
LB: Keysaun Eleazer, Southeast Raleigh (senior) – Stanford – 94 tackles, 18 TFL, 6 sacks, 2 INTs, 2 FR TDs, 4 blocked punts
LB: Michael Griffin Jr., West Charlotte (junior) – – 86 tackles (6.6/gm), 18 TFL, 5.5 sacks, 7 QB hurries, 1 INT, 2 PBUs, 3 FR
LB: Judah Harris, Hunt (junior) – – 191 tackles (13.6/gm), 50 TFL, 7 sacks, 64 QB hurries, 3 PBUs, 5 FF, 2 FR
LB: Jaylen King, Cleveland (senior) – Colorado State – 104 tackles (8.7/gm), 36 TFL, 11 sacks, 8 QB hurries, 2 INTs, 6 PBUs, 1 FF, 1 FR for a TD, 1 blocked punt, 1 blocked FG
DB: Marquis Bryant, Rolesville (junior) – UNC – 28 tackles (2.2/gm), 1 TFL, 1 sack, 6 INTs, 3 PBUs, 1 FF
DB: Caleb Cooper, Providence Day (junior) – – 97 tackles (8.1/gm), 5 TFLs, 1 INT, 6 PBUs, 2 FF // (special teams) 142 return yds, 1 KOR Td
DB: Honor Paxton, Middle Creek (senior) – – 59 tackles (4.2/gm), 8 INTs, 1 INT returned for a TD, 7 PBUs, 2 FF, 1 FR // (offense) 16 rec, 244 yds, 2 TDs; 36 rush yds, 1 TD
DB: Kenyan White, Olympic (junior) – – 113 tackles (9.4/gm), 8 TFL, 2 sacks, 3 INTs, 2 PBUs, 3 FF, 1 FR, 1 blocked FG
DB: Domonic Williams, Jacksonville (sophomore) – – 41 tackles (4.1/gm), 4 TFL, 2 INTs, 12 PBUs
Caleb Cooper (4) of Providence Day. Providence Day defeats Rolesville on Aug. 29, 2025. (Photo: Jerrell Jordan/HighSchoolOT)Third Team
DL: John Archer, Seventy-First (junior) – – 44 tackles (4.4/gm), 17 TFL, 1 sack
DL: Cory Cunningham, Providence (sophomore) – – 60 tackles (6.7/gm), 28 TFL, 15 sacks, 26 QB hurries, 1 FR
DL: D.J. Joyce, Mount Airy (senior) – North Carolina A&T – 77 tackles (7.7/gm), 37 TFL, 12.5 sacks, 22 QB hurries, 3 PBUs, 3 FF, 1 FR
DL: Tariq Sibert, T.C. Roberson (junior) – – 63 tackles (5.7/gm), 31 TFL, 12 sacks, 16 QB hurries, 1 INT, 2 FF, 2 FR
DL: Trint Totten, Eastern Alamance (junior) – – 136 tackles (11.3/gm), 26 TFL, 15.5 sacks, 6 QB hurries, 3 FF
LB: Cameron Bridges, T.W. Andrews (senior) – – 129 tackles (10.8/gm), 45 TFL, 5 sacks, 25 QB hurries, 1 PBU, 2 FR
LB: Chance Crews, Northern Guilford (senior) – – 149 tackles (10.6/gm), 17 TFL, 8 sacks, 1 INT returned for a TD, 2 FF, 1 FR, 1 blocked FG
LB: Leo Housel-Rajacich, Reagan (senior) – – 137 tackles (10.5/gm), 16.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks, 7 QB hurries, 3 PBUs, 1 FF, 1 FR
LB: Cam Norton, High Point Christian (senior) – – 117 tackles (9.8/gm), 20 TFL, 4 sacks, 5 QB hurries, 3 INTs, 4 PBUs, 4 FF, 1 FR, 1 blocked FG
LB: Mason Weaver, South Johnston (senior) – – 156 tackles (13.0/gm), 30 TFL, 1 sack, 5 blocked kicks, 4 FF, 3 FR // (offense) 39 car, 230 yds, 2 TD; 5 rec, 67 yds, 1 TD; 14 pancakes blocking as TE/FB
DB: Zion Dobson, East Forsyth (sophomore) – – 56 tackles (4.7/gm), 2 TFL, 1 INT, 6 PBU, 2 FR, 2 blocked FGs
DB: Davion Jones, West Charlotte (junior) – – 50 tackles (3.8/gm), 1 TFL, 4 INTs, 4 PBUs, 2 FF, 1 blocked punt // (offense) 14 rec, 217 yds (15.5/rec, 16.7/gm), 1 TD // (special teams) 204 return yds, 1 KOR TD
DB: Joziah Nicholson, West Forsyth (junior) – – 14 tackles (1.3/gm), 1 TFL, 6 INTs, 3 INTs returned for TDs, 11 PBUs // (offense) 4 rec, 116 yds, 1 TD // (special teams) 155 PR yds, 1 PR TD
DB: Camdin Portis, Myers Park (senior) – Miami – 59 tackles (4.9/gm), 1 TFL, 2 sacks, 3 QB hurries, 3 INTs, 1 PBU, 1 FF
DB: Derrick Reid Jr., Carver (senior) – – 39 tackles (4.3/gm), 3 TFL, 1 QB hurry, 12 INTs, 2 INTs returned for TDs // (offense) 20 carries, 183 yds, 3 TDs; 174 pass yds, 4 TDs, 1 INT; 5 rec, 87 yds, 2 TDs // (special teams) 166 return yds, 2 KOR TDs
Myers Park defeated Jay M. Robinson in the Charlotte Kick-Off Night on August 23, 2025 (Photo: Michael Mann Jr./HighSchoolOT)Honorable Mention
DB: Ace Clements, Weddington (junior) – – 44 tackles (3.1/gm), 1 TFL, 1 sack, 22 PBUs
DB: Jeremiah Deese, Northeast Guilford (senior) – – 170 tackles (14.2/gm), 45 TFL, 5 sacks, 13 QB hurries, 1 INT, 15 PBUs, 7 FF, 2 FR // (offense) 5 rec, 125 yds, 1 TD
DB: Dominic Gibbs, Currituck County (senior) – – 58 tackles (5.3/gm), 8 INTs, 1 INT returned for TDs, 6 PBUs, 2 FR, 1 FR returned for a TD // (offense) 32 carries 387 yds (12.1/car, 35.2/gm), 5 TDs; 21 rec, 266 yds (12.7/rec, 24.2/gm), 3 TDs // (special teams) 335 return yds, 1 PR TD, 1 KOR TD
DB: Lance Henderson, Southern Durham (junior) – – 88 tackles (7.3/gm), 4 TFL, 1 QB hurry, 2 INTs, 1 INT returned for TD, 2 PBUs, 4 FF // (offense) 33 rec, 919 yds (27.8/rec, 76.6/gm), 7 TDs; 23 carries, 311 yds (13.5/carry, 25.9/gm), 2 TDs // (special teams) 614 RET yds, 1 KOR TD, 1 PR TD
DB: Lyrik Pettis, Crest (senior) – Duke – 43 tackles (3.9/gm), 4 TFL, 1 QB hurry, 3 INTs, 1 FF
DL: Dom Basrawala, Charlotte Catholic (senior) – Army – 57 tackles (5.2/gm), 10 TFL, 5 sacks, 1 PBU, 1 FR, 1 blocked punt
DL: Marshall Chalk, Hoggard (junior) – – 68 Tackles, 17 TFL, 8 Sacks, PD, 1 Int. 1st Team All Conference
DL: Griffin Cockerham, Cardinal Gibbons (senior) – NC State – 55 tackles (3.8/gm), 24.5 TFL, 10.5 sacks, 10 QB hurries
DL: Daviel Eldridge, West Forsyth (senior) – – 66 tackles (5.1/gm), 34 TFL, 6 sacks, 1 INT returned for a TD, 1 PBU, 4 FF, 1 FR, 1 blocked FG
DL: Griff Galloway, Providence Day (4th year junior) – – 66 tackles (5.5/gm), 13 TFL, 10.5 sacks, 17 QB hurries, 1 FR
DL: Noah Gartner, Shelby (senior) – – 108 tackles (6.8/gm), 30 TFL, 15 sacks, 1 PBU, 1 FR
DL: Sam Johnson, West Charlotte (senior) – – 47 tackles (4.3/gm), 19 TFL, 8.5 sacks, 23 QB hurries, 1 PBU, 2 FF
DL: Emmanuel Miller, West Craven (senior) – – 79 tackles (7.9/gm), 37.5 TFL, 14.5 sacks, 4 QB hurries, 3 FF
DL: Kadence Pruitt, Reidsville (junior) – – 126 tackles (8.4/gm), 25 TFL, 12.5 sacks, 65 QB hurries, 2 PBUs, 1 FF, 2 FR
DL: De’Zhian Roberts, St. Pauls (senior) – – 94 TFLs, 15 Sacks, 36 QB Hurries, Robeson County Career Sack Holder ( 36.5 career sacks)
DL: Trashawn Ruffin, North Duplin (senior) – UNC – 47 tackles, 12 TFL, 3 sacks, 1 FF, 3 FR
DL: Micah Russell, High Point Christian (senior) – – 97 tackles (8.1/gm), 47 TFL, 20 sacks, 7 QB hurries, 3 PBUs, 1 FF, 3 FR, 1 blocked FG
DL: Kayden Weeks, West Rowan (sophomore) – – 72 tackles (6.0/gm), 23 TFLs, 5 sacks, 1 QB hurry, 1 INT, 1 FF
DL: Ethan Wilson, North Pitt (senior) – East Carolina – 90 tackles (7.5/gm), 33 TFL, 13 sacks, 25 QB hurries, 3 PBUs, 5 FF // (offense) 10 rec, 213 yds (21.3/rec, 17.8/gm), 1 TD; 12 carries, 96 yds, 2 TDs
EDGE: King Kalama, Reagan (junior) – Duke – 88 tackles (6.8/gm), 29.5 TFL, 9 sacks, 33 QB hurries, 1 PBU, 1 FF, 1 FR
EDGE: Kaleb Lauffer, East Lincoln (senior) – – 89 tackles (7.4/gm), 22.5 TFL. 12.5 sacks, 15 QB hurries, 2 PBUs, 1 FF, 2 blocked punts
EDGE: Elijah Littlejohn, West Charlotte (senior) – Georgia – 55 tackles (5.5/gm), 23 TFL, 9 sacks, 22 QB hurries, 1 FF
LB: Skylar Alston, Cardinal Gibbons (sophomore) – – 141 tackles (10.1/gm), 29 TFLs, 2 sacks, 1 INT, 5 PBUs, 1 FF
LB: Nick Avent, Greene Central (senior) – – 148 tackles (13.5/gm), 18 TFL, 5 sacks, 3 QB hurries, 4 PBUs, 1 FF, 2 FR
LB: Dallas Brannon, Independence (senior) – Virginia – 108 tackles (10.8/gm), 11 TFL, 3 sacks, 3 QB hurries, 1 PBU, 3 FF, 2 FR, 1 blocked punt
LB: Robert McCollum, Dudley (senior) – – 146 tackles (11.2/gm), 37 TFL, 14 sacks, 18 QB hurries, 1 INT, 3 FF
LB: L.J. Porter, Hough (senior) – East Carolina – 57 tackles (6.3/gm), 8.5 TFL, 5.5 sacks, 1 FF, 1 FR
LB: Tyquan Richardson, Garner (senior) – – 138 tackles (10.6/gm), 14 TFL, 13 sacks, 1 INT
LB: Jaylen Starks, Hillside (senior) – – 123 tackles (10.3/gm), 8 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 2 QB hurries, 1 INT, 3 PBUs, 1 FF // (offense) 57 carries, 374 yds (6.6/carry, 31.2/gm), 8 TDs
LB: Chris Wurster, Stuart Cramer (senior) – – 144 tackles (12.0/gm), 14 TFL, 1 sack, 3 QB hurries, 3 INTs, 4 PBUs, 4 FF, 2 FR, 1 blocked punt
Lance Henderson (8) of South Durham. Jordan picked up a big win over Southern Durham on August 29, 2025 (Photo: Ray Black III/HighSchoolOT)HSOT All-State Football: Two-Way Players
Kamerin McDowell-Moore (2) of Tarboro. Tarboro defeated Hunt on August 28, 2025 (Photo: Evan Moesta/HighSchoolOT)
There are some players who could go on the first team offense and second team defense. There are others whose overall value isn’t reflected by just one side of the ball. That’s why we have the two-way player category. There are 10 players per team, and 20 on the honorable mention team. We were intentional about not “demoting” a player for being good at two positions — in other words, we wouldn’t take a lock for first-team defense off that team only to move them to a second or third team in the two-way player category. Players on this team would have been moved laterally or up from where they would have placed on offense, defense, or special teams, but not down.
This year’s two-way section is headlined by Tarboro star running back/linebacker Kamerin McDowell-Moore, who is a rare three-time all-state selection (previously: HM two-way, 1st team two-way).
First Team
OL/DL: Noah Clark, Jordan (senior) – South Carolina – (defense) 37 tackles (4.1/gm), 13 TFL, 3 sacks, 33 QB hurries, 2 FF
TE/LB: Cason Jones, Mountain Heritage (senior) – Elon – (offense) 14 rec, 344 yds (24.6/rec, 28.7/gm), 7 TDs; 106 carries, 1,389 yds (13.1/car, 115.8/gm), 13 TDs // (defense) 96 tackles (8.0/gm), 15 TFL, 1 QB hurry, 1 INT, 3 PBUs, 2 FF, 1 FR // (special teams) 365 return yds, 1 KOR TD
DB/RB: Kamarion Larry, Martin County (senior) – – 32 tackles (2.7/gm), 11 INTs, 1 PBU, 1 FF // (offense) 99 carries, 955 yds (9.6/car, 79.6/gm), 10 TDs; 49 pass yds, 14 rec yds // (special teams) 531 return yds, 1 PR TD, 1 KOR TD
RB/LB: Zane McCraw, West Henderson (senior) – – 256 carries, 1,588 yds (6.2/car, 132.3/gm), 19 TDs; 34 rec, 401 yds (11.8/rec, 33.4/gm), 3 TDs // (defense) 97 tackles (8.1/gm), 6 TFL, 1 sack, 9 QB hurries, 2 INTs returned for TDs, 2 PBUs, 3 FF // (special teams) 197 return yds, 1 PR TD
RB/LB: Kamerin McDowell-Moore, Tarboro (senior) – Elon – 181 carries, 2,194 yds (12.1/car, 146.3/gm), 31 TDs; 2 rec, 80 yds, 2 TDs // (defense) 99 tackles (6.6/gm), 9 TFL, 1 sack, 4 QB hurries, 2 INTs, 1 PBU, 3 FF, 2 FR
QB/DB: Luke McIntosh, East Carteret (senior) – – 135/208 passing (64.9%), 2,157 yds (10.4/att, 179.8/gm), 24 TDs, 2 INTs; 96 carries, 484 yds (5.0/car, 40.3/gm), 11 TDs; 4 rec, 42 yds // (defense) 131 tackles (10.9/gm), 17 TFL, 3 INTs, 1 INT returned for a TD, 3 PBUs, 2 FF, 2 FR // (special teams) 11 punts, 36.4 avg, 1 inside 20
RB/DB: Ethan Nelson, Wilson Prep (senior) – – 145 carries, 1,263 yds (8.7/car, 90.2/gm), 21 TDs; 10 rec, 207 yds, 2 TDs; 68 pass yds; 2 TDs, 0 INTs // (defense) 130 tackles (9.3/gm), 12 TFL, 2 INTs returned for TDs, 1 PBU, 1 FF, 1 FR // (special teams) 786 return yds, 1 KOR TD
OL/LB: Brody Orton, Murphy (senior) – – (defense) 144 tackles (9.6/gm), 27 TFL, 3 sacks, 5 PBUs, 2 FF // (offense) starting OL for a unit that blocked for 5,459 total yards and 72 TDs
QB/LB: Travon Usher, Wilson Prep (senior) – – (offense) 31/61 passing (50.8%), 643 yds (10.5/att, 45.9/gm), 6 TDs, 4 INTs; 195 carries, 2,001 yds (10.3/car, 142.9/gm), 19 TDs // (defense) 71 tackles (5.1/gm), 9 TFL, 3 sacks, 6 QB hurries, 1 INT, 1 PBU, 1 FF // (special teams) 252 return yds
ILB/FB: Garrett Young, Franklin (sophomore) – – 302 carries, 1,789 yds (5.9/car, 149.1/gm), 23 TDs; 5 rec, 31 yds // (defense) 106 tackles (8.8/gm), 5 TFL, 1 sack, 5 QB hurries, 1 INT, 1 FF
Travon Usher (5) of Wilson Prep. Wilson Prep defeated Robbinsville in the NCHSAA 1A football state championship on December 11, 2025. (Photo: Joshua Chayer/HighSchoolOT)Second Team
DB/WR: James Bailey, East Mecklenburg (senior) – – (defense) 44 tackles (4.4/gm), 8 INTs, 1 PBU // (offense) 41 rec, 640 yds (15.6/rec, 64.0/gm), 9 TDs; 29 carries, 111 yds, 3 TDs
OL/DL: Braxton Batchelor, Mountain Heritage (senior) – – 64 tackles (5.3/gm), 14 TFL, 9 sacks, 7 QB hurries, 1 PBU // “Graded out at 83% and had 36 pancakes for the year. Helped paved the way for the team to rush for 4078 yds and 49 TDs this year. The team averaged 8.3 yds per carry. Also protected the qbs blind side that threw for 819 yds and 19 tds.”
ATH: Hayden Burpeau, Owen (senior) – – (offense) 69 carries, 671 yds (9.7/car, 61.0/gm), 4 TDs; 9 rec, 205 yds (22.8/rec, 18.6/gm), 2 TDs; 27 pass yds, 2 TDs // (defense) 42 tackles (3.8/gm), 1 INT, 3 PBUs, 1 FR returned for TD // (special teams) 22/24 PATs; 1/4 FGs, long 40; 28 punts, 40.1 avg, 9 inside 20; 34 kickoffs, 52.4 avg, 12 TBs
WR/DB: Xavier Cuthbertson, West Craven (junior) – – 44 rec, 981 yds (22.3/rec, 70.1/gm), 9 TDs; 54 carries, 439 yds (8.1/car, 31.4/gm), 4 TDs // (defense) 27 tackles (1.9/gm), 2 TFL, 6 INTs, 3 PBUs, 3 FF, 1 FR
OL/DL: Janthony Gooden, Murphy (senior) – Catawba – “Smoky Mountain Conference Lineman of the Year East-West all star game representative Best OL that Blocked for 5,459 Total Yards (1,264 Passing/4,195 Rushing) 364 Yards per Game 72 TD” // (defense) 84 tackles, 17 TFL
RB/LB: Ayden Guessford, East Wilkes (senior) – – (offense) 115 carries, 814 yds (7.1/car, 67.8/gm), 14 TDs // (defense) 106 tackles (8.8/gm), 16 TFL, 3 PBUs, 1 FR
RB/LB: Mikelis Hobgood, J.F. Webb (senior) – – (offense) 170 carries, 1,782 yds (10.5/car, 162.0/gm), 26 TDs, 22 2 pt conv; 1 rec, 75 yds // (defense) 124 tackles (11.3/gm), 16.5 TFL, 2 sacks, 3 QB hurries, 1 INT, 1 FF, 1 FR
OL/DL: Brady Lindenmuth, Watauga (senior) – Lenoir-Rhyne – (Offense) Produtive blocker from his guard position, especially as a puller // (Defense) Played Nose guard this season and demanded a double-team most games which lowered his defensive individual stats. 49 tackles (3.8/gm), 6.5 TFL, 3 sacks
DB/WR: Eli Lineberger, Thomas Jefferson Classical (senior) – – (defense) 97 tackles (8.8/gm), 5 TFL, 2 sacks, 5 INTs, 7 PBUs, 2 FF // (offense) 52 rec, 1,100 yds (21.2/rec, 91.7/gm), 14 TDs // (special teams) 45 punts, 44.5 avg
WR/DB: Hampton Reed, Maiden (senior) – – (offense) 65 rec, 1,131 yds (17.4/rec, 87.0/gm), 14 TDs // (defense) 46 tackles, 5 INT, 4 PD, FRec(78 yd TD) // (special teams) 1 KOR TD
Hampton Reed (7) of Maiden. Hickory football defeated Maiden on October 5, 2025 (Photo: Brian Hendrix/HighSchoolOT)Third Team
TE/DE: Jason Arrowood, East Rutherford (senior) – – 30 rec, 528 yds (17.6/rec, 48.0/gm), 6 TDs; 7 carries, 104 yds; 18 pancake blocks // (defense) 80 tackles (7.3/gm), 8 TFL, 2 sacks, 16 QB hurries, 1 INT, 1 FF, 3 FR, 1 blocked punt
DB/RB: Jayon Harris, Pasquotank County (senior) – – 68 tackles (6.2/gm), 1 TFL, 3 INTs, 1 INT returned for a TD, 7 PBUs, 2 FF, 1 FR // (offense) 96 carries, 975 yds (10.2/car, 88.6/gm), 17 TDs; 7 rec, 113 yds
QB/DB: Mez Harris, Hunt (junior) – – 74/137 passing (54.0%), 1,435 yds (10.5/att, 95.7/gm), 8 TDs, 8 INTs; 133 carries, 1,374 yds (10.3/car, 91.6/gm), 18 TDs // (defense) 70 tackles (4.7/gm), 4 INTs, 1 INT returned for a TD, 2 PBUs
RB/LB: Bryson Hobbs, Rosewood (senior) – – 199 carries, 1,189 yds (6.0/car, 99.1/gm), 11 TDs; 2 rec, 46 yds, 1 TD // (defense) 91 tackles (7.6/gm), 8 TFL, 6 sacks, 1 QB hurry, 1 PBU, 1 FR returned for a TD
WR/DB: Jasiah Holt, South Stanly (senior) – – 48 rec, 910 yds (19.0/rec, 91.0/gm), 11 TDs; 8 carries, 121 yds, 1 TD // (defense) 21 tackles (2.1/gm), 1 TFL, 6 INTs, 1 INT returned for a TD, 3 PBUs, 1 FF
LB/RB: Keanaji Hopkins, SouthWest Edgecombe (senior) – – 144 tackles (10.3/gm), 10 TFL, 1 INT, 2 FF , 2 FR // (offense) 127 carries, 882 yds (6.9/car, 63.0/gm), 7 TDs
WR/DB: Jaleek Parson, J.H. Rose (sophomore) – – 50 rec, 1,218 yds (24.4/rec, 101.5/gm), 12 TDs; 50 rsuh yds, 1 TD // (defense) 35 tackles (2.9/gm), 1.5 TFL, 2 INTs, 2 FF, 1 FR
QB/DB: Joshua Smith, White Oak (senior) – – 73/139 passing (52.5%), 1,447 yds (10.4/att, 120.6/gm), 17 TDs, 4 INTs; 177 carries, 1,420 yds (8.0/car, 118.3/gm), 13 TDs // (defense) 79 tackles (6.6/gm), 2 TFL, 1 INT, 6 PBUs
RB/LB: Ayden Smith, Mount Pleasant (senior) – – “1031 yds Rushing, 18 TDs, 127 yds Recieving. 93 Tackles, 5 TFL, 1 Sack, 1 Forced Fumble, 1 Fumble Recovery, 2 Ints 1 Returned for a TD”
OL/DL: Donovan Willis, Tarboro (senior) – – “46 Solo/40 Assist/17TFL/9Sacks/5QB Hurries/1Fumble Caused. East West All Star Game. 2A State Championship Offensive MVP”
Mez Harris (2) of Hunt. Crest defeated Hunt in the NCHSAA 5A football state championship on December 13, 2025. (Photo: Joshua Chayer/HighSchoolOT)Honorable Mention
WR/LB: Jackson Bodenhamer, North Stokes (junior) – – 62 rec, 633 yds (10.2/rec, 57.5/gm), 9 TDs – 1A receiving leader // (defense) 45 tackles (4.1/gm), 17 TFL, 8 sacks, 4 QB hurries, 2 FF, 1 FR
DL/OL: Antonio Escobar, Northeast Guilford (junior) – – 115 tackles (9.6/gm), 38 TFL, 7 sacks, 9 QB hurries // (offense) right guard
RB/LB: Graham Hosch, Warren County (senior) – – 162 Carries, 1,385 yds (8.5/car, 106.5/gm), 15 TD // (defense) 51 tackles (3.9/gm), 13 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 21 QB hurries, 1 FF, 1 FR
ATH: Tyler Johnson, Community School of Davidson (senior) – – 71 rec, 1,033 yds (14.5/rec, 86.1/gm), 7 TDs; 64 carries, 510 yds (8.0/car, 42.5/gm), 11 TDs; 51 pass yds, 2 TDs, 1 INT // (defense) 66 tackles (5.5/gm), 1 TFL, 1 sack, 1 INT, 1 FR
DB/RB: Tayden McPhatter, Garner (senior) – – (offense) 84 carries, 794 yards (9.5/car, 66.2/gm), 16 TDs; 23 rec, 357 yds, 6 TDs // (defense) 32 tackles (2.7/gm) 4 INTs, 8 PBUs, 2 FF, 2 FR, 1 FR TD
DB/QB: Matthew Mehaffey, Pisgah (senior) – – 74 tackles (5.8/gm), 5 INTs, 2 FF, 1 FR // (offense) 73/127 passing (57.5%), 1,229 yds (9.7/att, 94.5/gm), 17 TDs, 6 INTs; 32 carries, 129 yds, 3 TDs
DL/OL: Brantley Messick, Southern Alamance (senior) – – 64 tackles (5.3/gm), 17 TFL, 7 sacks, 23 QB hurries, 1 FF, 1 FR // (offense) “Brantley was the key to unlocking our offensive potential. He didn’t start on OL in the first two games and our offense scored just 2 points on a conversion. After he started playing both guard and TE our offense averaged 39.9 points and 367 yards of offense per game.”
DB/WR: Nygel Morgan, Ayden-Grifton (senior) – – 36 tackles (2.8/gm), 5 INTs, 2 INTs returned for TDs // (offense) 54 rec, 861 yds (15.9/rec, 66.2/gm), 11 TDs; 10 carries, 133 yds, 5 TDs
WR/DB: Braylon Peebles, Cardinal Gibbons (senior) – Furman – 469 yards receiving, 17 rushing, 11 passing, 4 total TDs, 63 total tackles, 5 TFLs, 1 INT, 3 Fumble recoveries
DB/WR: Nick Rankin, Palisades (junior) – – 70 tackles (5.8/gm), 2 TFL, 3 INTs, 2 PBUs // (offense) 25 carries, 247 yds (9.9/car, 20.6/gm), 7 TDs; 7 rec, 149 yds, 1 TD; 2 pass yds, 1 TD
FB/DL: Brayan Reynaldo, Rosman (sophomore) – – (offense) 141 carries, 720 yds (5.1/car, 60.0/gm), 12 TDs // (defense) 28 tackles (2.3/gm), 8.5 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 FF
TE/DE: Davieon Richardson, Northwest Halifax (senior) – – (offense) 21 rec, 648 yds (30.9/rec, 58.9/gm), 8 TDs // (defense) 51 tackles (4.6/gm), 7 TFL, 4 sacks, 1 INT, 2 PBUs, 1 FF, 1 FR
DB/WR: Riley Robinson, Croatan (senior) – East Carolina – 67 tackles (5.2/gm), 11.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 2 INTs, 1 PBU, 1 FF, 3 FR // (offense) 37 rec, 597 yds (16.1/rec, 45.9/gm), 9 TDs
ATH: RJ Scott, Southern Guilford (junior) – – (offense) 213 carries, 1,132 yds (5.3/car, 102.9/gm), 12 TDs; 17 rec, 216 yds, 2 TDs; 8/20 passing, 48 yds, 1 TD, 3 INTs // (defense) 60 tackles (5.5/gm), 13 TFL, 2 sacks, 2 QB hurries, 1 INT, 2 PBUs
RB/LB: Amario Spence, West Iredell (junior) – – 143 carries, 1,225 yds (8.6/car, 102.1/gm), 17 TDs; 21 rec, 222 yds (10.6/rec, 18.5/gm), 2 TDs // (defense) 46 tackles (3.8/gm), 13 TFL, 4 sacks, 1 PBU, 1 FF, 1 FR
ATH: Gage Underwood, South Davidson (senior) – – 30/55 passing (54.5%), 403 yds (7.3/att, 33.6/gm), 6 TDs, 3 INTs; 137 carries, 1,373 yds (10.0/car, 114.4/gm), 18 TDs // (defense) 38 tackles (3.2/gm), 2 INTs, 4 PBUs, 3 FF, 1 FR, 1 blocked FG
RB/LB: Brennen Wallace, Christ the King (senior) – – 100 tackles (9.1/gm), 6.5 TFL, 5 sacks, 5 PBUs, 3 FF, 1 FR // (offense) 139 carries, 955 yds (6.9/gm), 86.8/gm), 7 TDs; 15 rec, 133 yds (8.9/rec, 12.1/gm), 2 TDs
OL/DL: Jayden Whitaker, Nash Central (senior) – – “4-year starter on the OL // (defense) first year starting on defense – 64 tackles (5.8/gm), 16 TFL, 4 sacks, 2 QB hurries, 4 PBUs, 1 FF, 1 FR”
DB/WR: Callaway Williams, South Mecklenburg (senior) – – 46 tackles (4.2/gm), 4 TFL, 4 INTs, 2 INTs returned for TDs, 4 PBUs, 1 FR // (offense) (offense) 33 rec, 614 yds (18.6/rec, 55.8/gm), 9 total TDs
DB/RB: Vincent Wilson, Faith Christian (Rocky Mount) (junior) – – 34 tackles (3.1/gm), 6 INTs, 5 PBUs // (offense) 135 carries, 1,517 yds (11.2/car, 137.9/gm), 25 TDs; 29 rec, 539 yds (18.6/rec, 49.0/gm), 8 TDs // (special teams) 582 return yds
Nick Rankin (9) of Palisades. Hough defeated Palisades in the second round of the NCHSAA 8A Football Playoffs on November 14, 2025. (Photo: Matt Laczko/HighSchoolOT)HSOT All-State Football: Special Teams
Jacob Baggett (30) of Providence Day. Providence Day defeats Rolesville on Aug. 29, 2025. (Photo: Jerrell Jordan/HighSchoolOT)
For all-state special teams, there are 10 players per first, second, and third team. The Honorable Mention team has 20 players.
While a player cannot make the HSOT all-state team as a specialist and also make the offense, defense, or two-way player list, we also ensure that a player who might also be a candidate for other categories cannot be moved down to fit onto special teams (ex: moving from first-team offense to second-team special teams is a no-no, but making a lateral move like third-team defense to third-team special teams is fine; so too is moving up, like going from honorable mention offense to second-team special teams).
UNC signee David Green is now a three-time all-state selection. He previously made the 2nd team twice.
First Team
K: Jacob Baggett, Providence Day (senior) – Michigan – 6/7 FGs, long 48, 64/71 PATs; 13 punts, 39.1 avg, 6 inside 20; 95/102 touchbacks (93.1%)
K/P: Riley Daniels, Rolesville (senior) – – 9/14 FGs, long 51, 53/54 PATs; 28 punts, 2 inside 20; 32/57 touchbacks (56.1%)
K/P: Will Doll, Hunt (senior) – – 12/16 FGs, long 47, 61/67 PATs; 23 punts, 40.2 avg, long 67, 11 inside 20; 59/80 touchbacks (73.8%)
K/P: Connor Dunn, North Davidson (senior) – – 9/13 FGs, long 48, 30/30 PATs; 37 punts, 47.9 avg, 20 inside 20; 23/54 touchbacks (42.6%)
K/P: Eli Fulcher, Oak Grove (senior) – Maryland – 3/8 FGs, long 52, 43/44 PATs; 11/11 touchbacks (100%)
K/P: Stephen Gonzales, Union Academy (senior) – Michigan State – 10/16 FGs, long 57, 26/27 PATs; 16 punts, 43.1 avg; 30/36 touchbacks (83.3%)
K/P: Carson Jones, Providence Grove (senior) – Liberty – 12/18 FGs, long 47, 35/37 PATs; 25 punts, 45.5 avg, 12 inside 20; 44/59 touchbacks (74.6%)
K/QB: Kannon McBride, Croatan (junior) – – 10/14 FGS, long 45, 61/63 PATs, 41/83 touchbacks (49.4%) // (offense) 152/208 passing (73.1%), 2,072 yds (9.9/att, 159.4/gm), 30 TDs, 6 INTs; 33 carries, 85 yds, 1 TD
K/P: Cooper Peterson, Corvian Community (senior) – Ohio State – 8/9 FGs, long 49, 49/54 PATs; 18 punts, 47.3 avg, 11 inside 20; 57/68 touchbacks (83.8%)
LS: Taylon Tranel, Union Pines (senior) – NC State – “Tay has consistently been ranked in the top 10-15 long-snappers in the country by several organizations. Tay is also a 3 year starter at center who is an East/West All star. He earned the Top OL award in our conference this year and also took over KO duties after week 3 with an average of 50 yards per kick and 5 touchbacks. Great all around athlete, student, and human being.”
Riley Daniels (36) of Rolesville. Millbrook defeated Rolesville 28-7 on September 26, 2025 (Photo:Nick Faulkner/HighSchoolOT)Second Team
K/P: Moses Barker, Willow Spring (junior) – – 8/14 FGs, long 50, 24/27 PATs; 14 punts, 37.7 avg, 1 inside 20; 34/47 touchbacks (72.3%)
RET: Racere Bruton, North Stanly (sophomore) – – 17 punt ret, 474 yds, 3 TDs; 10 kickoff ret, 391 yds, 2 TDs // (offense) 16 rec, 401 yds (25.1/rec, 36.5/gm), 1 TD; 1 carry, 27 yds, 1 TD // (defense) 38 tackles (3.5/gm), 2 PBUs, 1 FR
K/P: Benjamin Dorsey, Charlotte Country Day (senior) – – 9/10 FGs, long 38; 22/24 PATs; 23 punts, 40.8 avg, 8 inside 20; 26/42 touchbacks (61.9%)
K: Ford Fehling, Marvin Ridge (junior) – – 10/14 FGs, long 45, 26/26 PATs; 40/44 touchbacks (90.9%)
RET: Nicholas Gregory, Seaforth (senior) – – 5 KOR TDs, 843 return yards // (offense) 38 rec, 753 yds (19.8/rec, 62.8/gm), 11 TDs; 33 carries, 309 yds (9.4/car, 25.9/gm), 6 TDs // (defense) 56 tackles (4.7/gm), 1 TFL, 1 INT returned for TD, 9 PBUs
K/P: Ben Ladue, Middle Creek (junior) – – 14/27 FGs, long 50, 62/65 PATs; 33 punts, 39.5 avg, 16 inside 20; 27/97 touchbacks (27.8%)
ST/RET: Dashaun McKoy, Harrells Christian (senior) – – (offense) 15 rec, 426 yds (28.4/rec, 35.5/gm), 6 TDs; 35 carries, 269 yds (7.7/carry, 22.4/gm), 4 TDs; 44 pass yds // (defense) 46 tackles (3.8/gm), 1 TFL, 5 INTs, 6 PBUs, 2 FF, 1 FR, 2 blocked punts // (special teams) 422 return yds, 2 PR TDs, 1 KOR TD
RET: Jhalen Pharr-McNair, Tarboro (senior) – – 609 return yds, 4 PR TDs // (offense) 45 carries, 560 yds (12.4/car, 40.0/gm), 9 TDs; 6 rec, 161 yds, 2 TDs // (defense) 60 tackles (4.3/gm), 3 TFL, 1 sack, 2 INTs, 1 PBU, 1 FF, 2 FR
ST/RET: Bubba Sims, Williams (senior) – – “1 Punt Return TD, 2 Kick Return TD’s, 1 blocked FG, 174 total yards of offense, 5 Total TD’s, 67 tackles, 6 TFL, 1 sack, 1 int, 1 blocked fg”
K/P: Evan Windley, Cardinal Gibbons (senior) – Butler – 13/17 FGs, long 42, 56/59 PATs; 17 punts, 37.9 avg, 3 inside 20; 69/95 touchbacks (72.6%)
Bubba Sims (11) of Williams. Williams defeated Southeast Alamance on October 10, 2025 (Photo: Evan Moesta/HighSchoolOT)Third Team
LS: Zander Atwell, A.L. Brown (senior) – VMI –
K/P: Alex Borrell, Lee County (senior) – – 13/15 FGs, long 45, 19/19 PATs; 51 punts, 33.3 avg, 13 inside 20; 6/44 touchbacks (13.6%)
K: Andrew Cummings, Mooresville (senior) – – 7/10 FGs, long 43, 54/56 PATs; 29 punts, 33.2 avg, 7 inside 20; 60/68 touchbacks (88.2%)
P: David Green, High Point Christian (senior) – UNC – 20 punts, 31.7 avg, 10 inside 20; 3/7 FGs, long 30, 66/68 PATs; 84/92 touchbacks (91.3%)
K: Josh Herring, Hickory (junior) – – 8/10 FGs, long 49, 64/66 PATs; 59/67 touchbacks (88.1%)
RET: Fisher Leftwich, North Surry (senior) – Rice – 8 games played: 315 KOR yds, 3 KOR TDs // (offense) 45 carries, 449 yds (10.0/car, 56.1/gm), 3 TDs; 21 rec, 442 yds (21.0/gm), 5 TDs // (defense) 16 tackles, 1 PBU
K/P: Owyn Mack, Northwest Cabarrus (senior) – – 7/7 FGs, long 48, 32/34 PATs; 22 punts, 38.0 avg, 7 inside 20; 16/44 touchbacks (36.4%)
LS: Brett Morgan, Shelby (senior) – Wofford –
P/ATH: Hayne Tobias, Union Pines (senior) – – 30 punts, 40.3 avg, 10 inside 20 // (offense) 48 rec, 712 yds (14.8/rec, 54.8/gm), 8 TDs; 37 rush yds, 2 TDs; 114 pass yds, 1 TDs, 1 INT // “Hayne is an Army All American Bowl selection and attending UT Chattanooga starting in Jan. In an offense that ran the ball for over 2000 yards and averaged 32.5 points per game we ran behind him most times as our TE/Hback.”
LS/K: Jake Veach, Richmond (senior) – Barton – 52/57 PATs
Union Pines defeated Lee County on October 24, 2025 (Evan Moesta/HighSchoolOT)Honorable Mention
RET: Amir Albany, Hendersonville (senior) – – 237 PR yds, 3 PR TDs; 176 KOR yds, 1 KOR TD // (offense) 37 rec, 837 yds (22.6/rec, 83.7/gm), 10 TDs; 9 carries, 112 yds, 2 TDs // (defense) 30 tackles (3.0/gm), 5 TFL, 2 QB hurries, 1 INT returned for a TD
K: Brody Barnes, Cleveland (junior) – – 6/8 FGs, long 45, 66/68 PATs; 22 punts, 37.4 avg, 6 inside 20; 37/88 touchbacks (42.0%)
RET: A’son Best, North Rowan (senior) – – 318 KOR yds, 2 KOR TDs // (offense) 61 rec, 1,210 yds (19.8/rec, 100.8/gm), 11 TDs
K: RP Betler, West Cabarrus (freshman) – – 10/13 FGs, long 47; 27/28 PATs; 33 punts, 35.7 avg, 9 inside 20; 23/41 touchbacks (56.1%)
LS: Maddox Creason, Davie County (senior) – Winston-Salem State –
P/QB: Jayden Daniels, South Brunswick (senior) – – 22 punts, 42.9 avg, 3 inside 20 // (offense) 123/195 passing (63.1%), 1,933 yds (9.9/att, 175.7/gm), 25 TDs, 6 INTs
RET: Jayden Hamilton, Richmond (senior) – – 37 rec, 708 yds (19.1/rec, 59.0/gm), 6 TDs; 10 carries, 91 yds, 3 TDs // (defense) 4 tackles, 1 INT, 2 PBUs // (special teams) 340 return yds, 1 KOR TD, 1 PR TD
K/P: Preston Hardin, D.H. Conley (senior) – – 11/14 FGs, long 39, 35/39 PATs; 30 punts, 38.5 avg, 7 inside 20; 10/59 touchbacks (17.0%)
P: Chase Huellmantel, Grimsley (junior) – – 20 punts, 40.6 avg, 4 inside 20; 32/93 touchbacks (34.4%)
P/DL: Chase Jopp, Camden County (senior) – – 34 punts, 40.4 avg, 2 inside 20 // (defense) 120 tackles (10.9/gm), 16.5 TFL, 5 sacks, 3 QB hurries, 2 PBUs, 2 FF, 1 FR for a TD // (offense) 117 pass yds, 1 TD, 4 INTs; 161 rush yds
K: Landon Key, Hibriten (senior) – – 5/8 FGs, long 38, 68/74 PATs; 4-for-4 onsides kicks
P: Ben Lindsay, Mountain Island Charter (senior) – – 38 punts, 43.1 avg, 1 inside 20; 6/41 touchbacks (14.6%)
P/DL: Matt Mungas, Northwest Guilford (senior) – – 24 punts, 47.4 avg, 6 inside 20 // (defense) 65 tackles (5.9/gm), 8.5 TFL, 2 sacks, 5 QB hurries, 2 PBUs
P: Haiden Ratike, Marvin Ridge (senior) – – 35 punts, 40.3 avg, 11 inside 20, long 66; 3/4 touchbacks (75%)
P: Alex Rosario-Beltran, Concord (senior) – – 12/18 FGs, long 32, 25/28 PATs; 35 punts, 39.8 avg
P/LB: Walter Royster, Franklinton (senior) – – 35 punts, 37.5 avg, 12 inside the 20 // (defense) 107 tackles (8.9/gm), 14 TFL, 1 sack, 1 INT, 2 PBUs, 1 FR
ST: Kamari St. Clair, Millbrook (senior) – – 4 blocked FGs // (defense) 74 tackles, 22 TFL, 6 sacks, 21 QB hurries, 1 FF, 2 FR
RET: Aaryn Tate, Northeast Guilford (senior) – – 327 return yds, 3 PR TDs // (offense) 44 rec, 623 yds (14.2/rec, 51.9/gm), 9 TDs; 47 rush yds, 65 pass yds, 1 TD // (defense) 47 tackles (3.9/gm), 1 INT
LS: Alexander Todd, Porter Ridge (senior) – Ferrum –
LS: Jack Wheeler, Cannon School (senior) – –
Kamari St. Clair (40) of Millbrook. Millbrook defeated Jordan in the third round of the 8A playoffs on November 21, 2025 (Photo: Evan Moesta/HighSchoolOT)
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