College football recruiting often spotlights Division I stars with scholarships and signing ceremonies, but in North Carolina, a quieter story shines through too.
This fall, a dedicated group of high school football players from the Old North State will take their talents to NCAA Division III programs—non-scholarship teams where passion fuels the game. Without an official “signing day,” these North Carolina high school standouts have still earned the chance to play at the next level through hard work on the field, in the classroom and in the community.
At NC Football News, we’re proud to celebrate these new opportunities earned. Below, we highlight North Carolina players who have pledged to D3 programs for 2025, honoring their journey and next steps.
This list is still very much under construction. Please let us know who we’re missing by tagging us on Twitter/X. Please include key information, hometown, stats, future football home, etc.
NC High School Football Talent Restocking D3 Rosters
Kordan Wilson | McLeansville | Northeast Guilford High
The running back/middle linebacker has committed to North Carolina Wesleyan. Wilson was a Midstate 3A all-conference pick in 2024. He scored 11 touchdowns and made 97 tackles.
Excited to announce my commitment to @NCWesleyanFB Go Bishops!! 💙💛#MountUp@Coach_Filkovski @un_FOURgettable @Coach_J_Clark @CoachMcKinneyJr @NEGRamFB pic.twitter.com/QfqxpybwRI — Kordan Wilson (@KordanWilson_) March 1, 2025
Champ Luat | Durham | Jordan High
The defensive back/linebacker has committed to Methodist. Luat is an A/B student with a 3.35 GPA.
Braylon Knapp | Hertford | Perquimans County High
The quarterback has committed to North Carolina Wesleyan. Knapp completed 176-of-254 passes for 2,947 yards and 31 touchdowns. He accounted for 3,390 total yards. In 2024, Knapp was voted player of the year in his 1A conference.
Antwain Grantham | Pikeville | C.B. Aycock High
The linebacker has committed to North Carolina Wesleyan. Grantham was named to the Wilson Times All-Area team and played in the 919 vs. 252 Showcase Bowl in early January. He also was named team MVP for the 11-1 Golden Falcons and the Quad County Defensive Player of the Year.
DEFENSIVE COORDINATORS! Are you having trouble stopping the run? Take a look at @AntwainGrantham from @AYCOCKFOOTBALL . A true run stopper. pic.twitter.com/aI1HYLeqt5 — Glimpse Sports Marketing (@glimpse_24) December 5, 2024
Tyreke Smith | Cary | Green Level High
The multi-purpose athlete has committed to Greensboro College. Smith played defensive end, linebacker and running back for Green Level.
Davis Dudley | Charlotte | Providence Day
The kicker/punter has committed to Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia. Dudley compiled 109 kicker points from 2022-24, including 32-of-32 on PATs and 8-of-11 on field goal attempts during the 2024 season. For his career Dudley was 76-of-81 in extra points and 11-of-14 in field goals, with a long of 42.
Elijah Hebron | Hampstead | Topsail High
The quarterback/defensive back has committed to Greensboro College. Hebron earned honorable mention All-Mideastern Conference in 2024. He threw for 953 yards with 11 touchdowns during his senior campaign, as well as rushing for 427 yards and five TDs. Hebron boasts a 4.37 GPA.
Taylor Hardy | Monroe | Piedmont High
The linebacker/running back has committed to Averett University in Danville, Va. Hardy was a Rocky River 2A/3A All-Conference selection in 2024.
Caleb Reed | Raleigh | Athens Drive High
The cornerback has committed to Guilford College. Reed finished the 2024 season with 23 solo tackles, 31 total tackles, one tackle-for-loss and five passes defended.
Jamarcus Arnold | Raleigh | Athens Drive High
The safety/running back/cornerback has committed to North Carolina Wesleyan. Arnold had 29 tackles, three tackles-for-loss, 211 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown, per MaxPreps stats.
Nasir Stanford | Winterville | South Central High
The linebacker has committed to North Carolina Wesleyan. Stanford had a monster 2024 season, racking up 136 tackles (119 solo stops). He also added 18 tackles-for-loss, four sacks, one interception and one forced fumble.
Trel Nobles | Winterville | South Central High
The multi-purpose wide receiver/quarterback/athlete has committed to North Carolina Wesleyan. Nobles threw three touchdown passes, rushed for two TDs and caught a touchdown in 2024. He posted 21 tackles on the defensive side, with two tackles-for-loss and one interception.
This list is still a work in progress. Please let us know who we’re missing by tagging us on Twitter/X. Please include key information, hometown, stats, future football home, etc.
Coming Soon! 2025 NC High School Football Season
High school will be back in the Old North State before you know it. Bookmark our NC High School Football Scoreboard Hub page now and stay updated on all the results once games begin in August.
Mallard Creek High School has 15 football players from its Class of 2025 headed to play college this fall. Read more about this impressive list of D1 and D2 standouts.
