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Over the last month, USA TODAY High School Sports has looked at some of the best football prospects from the country's recruiting hotbeds.
The series started with the best 2026 recruits out of Texas and has expanded to eight more states. It's time to add another football recruiting hotbed to that mix.
Next up, we'll head to North Carolina, taking a look at the top 2026 recruits to keep an eye on from the Tar Heel State.
TOP RECRUITS:Alabama / California / Florida / Georgia / Louisiana / Ohio / Tennessee / Virginia
School: Grimsley (Greensboro)
Position: Quarterback
Commitment: Tennessee
Summary: Arguably the No. 1 overall player in the 2026 class, Brandon led the Whirlies to an unbeaten state championship as a junior. During that run, he threw for 2,814 yards and 35 touchdowns and also ran for 625 yards and nine touchdowns.
Tennessee landed their quarterback of the future when Brandon committed to the Volunteers last August.
School: Myers Park (Charlotte)
Position: EDGE
Commitment: Notre Dame
Summary: When Dunham committed to the Fighting Irish earlier this month, Marcus Freeman and his staff landed the cornerstone of their 2026 class.
At 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, Dunham has all the looks of a player who can get to South Bend and make an impact immediately.
School: Reidsville
Position: Tight End
Commitment: Oregon
Summary: A standout on both the gridiron and basketball court, Oregon's getting a player in Harrison who could be a dual-sport star in Eugene.
The 6-foot-7, 243-pounder committed to the Ducks last November and is coming off an impressive junior season.
School: Weddington
Position: Defensive Lineman
Commitment: Uncommitted
Summary: A 6-foot-2.5 monster up front, Harris played a massive role in leading Weddington to a state championship appearance. He finished with 82 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, and 13.5 sacks during his junior season.
Harris has scheduled official visits to Penn State (May 30), South Carolina (June 6), Auburn (June 13), and NC State (June 20).
School: South Garner (Durham)
Position: Interior Offensive Lineman
Commitment: Uncommitted
Summary: Georgia looks to be in a great spot with Ogboko following an unofficial visit to Athens earlier in the month. He'll be back on campus on June 6 for an official visit.
Ogboko also has official visits scheduled to Clemson (May 30), Alabama (June 13) and Notre Dame (June 20).
School: West Forsyth (Clemmons)
Position: Interior Offensive Lineman
Commitment: Uncommitted
Summary: A top-50 recruit by most recruiting outlets, Dean may be a bit undersized now but has all the measurables to be an elite talent at the next level.
He has scheduled official visits to South Carolina (May 30) and Georgia (June 6).
School: Providence Day School (Charlotte)
Position: Interior Offensive Lineman
Commitment: Uncommitted
Summary: North Carolina appears to be loaded with talent on the offensive line, and Delaney fits right into that mold.
A 6-foot-5, 275-pounder, his current recruitment is a three-horse race between Clemson, Michigan and Tennessee. He has official visits to all three this summer.
School: Weddington (Matthews)
Position: Linebacker
Commitment: Notre Dame
Summary: With Davis' commitment, Marcus Freeman landed another win in North Carolina last November.
A solid Fighting Irish pledge, Davis is headed back to South Bend on June 20 for an official visit and has played a pivotal role in Notre Dame's recruiting charge in the state.
School: C.E. Jordan (Durham)
Position: Defensive Lineman
Commitment: Uncommitted
Summary: Clark is a massive, college-ready prospect. He heads into his senior year, measuring 6-foot-4 and weighing 320 pounds.
Clark's official visit schedule includes Duke (May 30), South Carolina (June 6), Notre Dame (June 10), Virginia Tech (June 14) and NC State (June 20).
School: Hough (Cornelius)
Position: Cornerback
Commitment: Uncommitted
Summary: Texas has continually made positive strides in Matthews' recruitment and seems to be in a good spot to land him. He'll return to campus for his official visit with the Longhorns on June 13.
Matthews also has official visits to Clemson (May 30), Florida State (June 6) and South Carolina (June 20) lined up.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY High School Sports Wire: Football recruiting rankings: North Carolina class of 2026 prospects
Continue reading...
The series started with the best 2026 recruits out of Texas and has expanded to eight more states. It's time to add another football recruiting hotbed to that mix.
Next up, we'll head to North Carolina, taking a look at the top 2026 recruits to keep an eye on from the Tar Heel State.
TOP RECRUITS:Alabama / California / Florida / Georgia / Louisiana / Ohio / Tennessee / Virginia
Faizon Brandon
School: Grimsley (Greensboro)
Position: Quarterback
Commitment: Tennessee
Summary: Arguably the No. 1 overall player in the 2026 class, Brandon led the Whirlies to an unbeaten state championship as a junior. During that run, he threw for 2,814 yards and 35 touchdowns and also ran for 625 yards and nine touchdowns.
Tennessee landed their quarterback of the future when Brandon committed to the Volunteers last August.
Rodney Dunham
School: Myers Park (Charlotte)
Position: EDGE
Commitment: Notre Dame
Summary: When Dunham committed to the Fighting Irish earlier this month, Marcus Freeman and his staff landed the cornerstone of their 2026 class.
At 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, Dunham has all the looks of a player who can get to South Bend and make an impact immediately.
Kendre Harrison
School: Reidsville
Position: Tight End
Commitment: Oregon
Summary: A standout on both the gridiron and basketball court, Oregon's getting a player in Harrison who could be a dual-sport star in Eugene.
The 6-foot-7, 243-pounder committed to the Ducks last November and is coming off an impressive junior season.
Aiden Harris
School: Weddington
Position: Defensive Lineman
Commitment: Uncommitted
Summary: A 6-foot-2.5 monster up front, Harris played a massive role in leading Weddington to a state championship appearance. He finished with 82 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, and 13.5 sacks during his junior season.
Harris has scheduled official visits to Penn State (May 30), South Carolina (June 6), Auburn (June 13), and NC State (June 20).
Ekene Ogboko
School: South Garner (Durham)
Position: Interior Offensive Lineman
Commitment: Uncommitted
Summary: Georgia looks to be in a great spot with Ogboko following an unofficial visit to Athens earlier in the month. He'll be back on campus on June 6 for an official visit.
Ogboko also has official visits scheduled to Clemson (May 30), Alabama (June 13) and Notre Dame (June 20).
Pierre Dean
School: West Forsyth (Clemmons)
Position: Interior Offensive Lineman
Commitment: Uncommitted
Summary: A top-50 recruit by most recruiting outlets, Dean may be a bit undersized now but has all the measurables to be an elite talent at the next level.
He has scheduled official visits to South Carolina (May 30) and Georgia (June 6).
Leo Delaney
School: Providence Day School (Charlotte)
Position: Interior Offensive Lineman
Commitment: Uncommitted
Summary: North Carolina appears to be loaded with talent on the offensive line, and Delaney fits right into that mold.
A 6-foot-5, 275-pounder, his current recruitment is a three-horse race between Clemson, Michigan and Tennessee. He has official visits to all three this summer.
Thomas Davis Jr.
School: Weddington (Matthews)
Position: Linebacker
Commitment: Notre Dame
Summary: With Davis' commitment, Marcus Freeman landed another win in North Carolina last November.
A solid Fighting Irish pledge, Davis is headed back to South Bend on June 20 for an official visit and has played a pivotal role in Notre Dame's recruiting charge in the state.
Noah Clark
School: C.E. Jordan (Durham)
Position: Defensive Lineman
Commitment: Uncommitted
Summary: Clark is a massive, college-ready prospect. He heads into his senior year, measuring 6-foot-4 and weighing 320 pounds.
Clark's official visit schedule includes Duke (May 30), South Carolina (June 6), Notre Dame (June 10), Virginia Tech (June 14) and NC State (June 20).
Samari Matthews
School: Hough (Cornelius)
Position: Cornerback
Commitment: Uncommitted
Summary: Texas has continually made positive strides in Matthews' recruitment and seems to be in a good spot to land him. He'll return to campus for his official visit with the Longhorns on June 13.
Matthews also has official visits to Clemson (May 30), Florida State (June 6) and South Carolina (June 20) lined up.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY High School Sports Wire: Football recruiting rankings: North Carolina class of 2026 prospects
Continue reading...
