News, notes, rumors and football quick-hitters from around the Old North State:
D2 standout running back heading to FCS Mercer
Lenoir-Rhyne has seen it’s share of talented upperclassmen hit the transfer portal this spring. One of the biggest names, running back Dwayne McGee, has found his landing spot.
The Kissimmee, Fla., native (Osceola HS) will join his former coach, Mike Jacobs, at FCS Mercer University. Mercer competes in the Southern Conference with schools like Western Carolina, Furman and Wofford.
McGee played in 40 games for the Bears, rushing for 4,574 yards and 46 touchdowns. McGee helped power Lenoir-Rhyne to a 13-2 record in 2023, galloping for more than 1,500 yards. He earned a spot on the D2Football Elite 100 list, an All-America list.
Former Lenoir-Rhyne wide receiver Kelin Parsons (King | West Stokes HS) announced last week that he also has committed to Mercer.
Winston-Salem State QB makes grade on the field, in the classroom
Daylin Lee had a big freshman season as Winston-Salem State’s starting quarterback, throwing for 1,845 yards and accounting for 23 touchdowns last fall. Lee from Shelby (Shelby HS) also had a big year academically. He learned Tuesday he has been named the CIAA Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
Lee posted a GPA of 3.93 as a pre-computer science major. In the community, Lee volunteered at the YMCA turkey trot and Habitat for Humanity store, as well as various schools in both Winston-Salem and his hometown of Shelby. This past spring he participated in the DII Apple Training Institute in Florida.
Elon, Campbell, A&T losing conference partner
Richmond, which has played football in the FCS Coastal Athletic Association since 2007, announced Tuesday it will move its gridiron program to the Patriot League in 2025. The CAA features three schools from North Carolina: Elon, Campbell and North Carolina A&T.
Per John O’Connor from the Richmond Times-Dispatch: “Dissatisfaction with the direction CAA Football took in the last few years led to UR’s desire to find another home.”
The CAA bid farewell to powerhouse James Madison a few years ago, and Delaware is set to join FBS Conference USA in 2025. The league added Campbell and A&T last season. Bryant will join this fall. Other recent additions include Hampton and Monmouth.
Richmond made the FCS playoffs last fall, topping North Carolina Central in its opener. Elon will host Richmond on Sept. 28. NC A&T will visit the Spiders on Oct. 5, while Campbell will entertain Richmond Nov. 9.
—> Read More: Richmond To Join Patriot League (Hero Sports)
D3 all-school power rankings released
The latest Logan Hansen Division III football rankings hit social media this week. Using a complex mathematical formula (found HERE) Hansen ranks all 231 D3 programs.
As for North Carolina’s D3 schools, Brevard has the highest ranking at No. 110. Other NC schools include North Carolina Wesleyan (144), Guilford (178), Greensboro (182) and Methodist (185). He will update his rankings again in August.
CBSSports.com ranks all Power Four coaches
CBS Sports begain unveiling its FBS “Power Four” coach rankings this week. The top 25 is still to come but spots 26-68 were released Tuesday afternoon.
Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson is listed at No. 30, UNC’s Mack Brown comes in at No. 37, and new Duke coach Manny Diaz hits the board at 48. Both Clawson and Brown dropped 15 spots from the 2023 CBS Sports rankings.
—> Read More: CBS Sports College Football Coach Rankings (26-68)
The Latest NC Football News Headlines
- Doug Martin Joins Elon as OC; Yurk, Brayboy Headline Phoenix All-Americans
Martin has been a head coach at New Mexico State, Kent State and an assistant at ECU - Adrian Jones Takes Helm at Elizabeth City State: Can He Rebuild the Vikings?
Former Shaw Bears coach replaces Marcus Hilliard after three challenging seasons - Grimsley whirls by Rolesville 35-23 for NCHSAA 4A state championship
Whirlies complete undefeated season with second win over Rams - Campbell football adds two transfer QBs; wide receiver Sincere Brown coming back
Jalen Ferguson joins Camels after throwing 48 TD passes for Lenoir-Rhyne from 2023-24 - Youth movement: Davidson hires Saj Thakkar, 33, to lead football program
Thakkar will be formally introduced at an 11 a.m. Friday press conference.
