Spring football isn’t just about position battles and system installs — it’s also a key recruiting window. Multiple North Carolina programs picked up commitments over the past few weeks, while transfer movement continues across the state.
Here’s the latest recruiting buzz across North Carolina college football, Tax Day (April 15) edition.
Texas QB Levi McAbee pledges to GWU
Gardner-Webb picked up a commitment from a 2027 quarterback prospect coming out of its Spring Game and Junior Day weekend. Levi McAbee, a rising senior from Farmersville High in Texas, pledged for the Runnin’ Bulldogs on April 12.
McAbee has recorded more than 4,000 passing yards in two seasons as the Farmersville starter. He threw for 1,771 yards and 17 touchdowns during his junior campaign (2025), while also rushing for 241 yards and two more scores. McAbee earned first-team All-District for the second year in a row.
“I love this staff, this school/campus and I’m excited to be a Runnin’ Bulldog,” McAbee posted on X with his commitment announcement.
McAbee is listed at 5-9, 170 pounds. He boasts a GPA of 3.8.
New Gardner-Webb coach Kris McCullough coached D2 football in Texas the past three seasons at UT Permian Basin. The 2027 class will be McCullough’s first full class since taking over in Boiling Springs.
What it means: New Gardner-Webb coach Kris McCullough is already tapping into his Texas ties, and landing an experienced high school starter early gives the Runnin’ Bulldogs a foundation piece for his first full recruiting class in Boiling Springs. McCullough coached D2 football at UT Permian Basin the past three seasons.
After a great academic visit, campus tours, and Junior day with the coaches…. I am 1000% COMMITTED to play football @GWUFootball and pursue my degree in exercise science at the next level. I love this staff, this school/campus and I’m excited to be a Runnin’ Bulldog 💪🏻… pic.twitter.com/LeImT8kzYF — Levi McAbee (@Levi_McAbee) April 12, 2026
App State lands first WR for 2027 class
Jok Harris, a 6-2 and 185-pound wide receiver from Palmetto, FL, became the first wide receiver to commit to Appalachian State’s 2027 class. Harris pledged to the Mountaineers on April 14.
Harris caught 50 passes this past season for 841 yards and 10 touchdowns. He plans to take an official visit to App State in June, according to AppStateNews. He reported 10 FBS offers, including Charlotte, Liberty, FAU, FIU and Arkansas State.
What it means: App State is adding an explosive offensive piece (Harris also runs track). One YouTube highlight video showed Harris creating separation on long pass receptions and scoring on multiple punt returns – including one where he changed direction twice before sprinting for the end zone.
@Jok_Harris https://t.co/YwNGCmHQBX — Zak Yost (@YostZak) January 28, 2026
Logan Steele, 2027 Safety from Pennsylvania, Commits to Wake Forest
Wake Forest added the first defensive player to its 2027 high school recruiting class last week, receiving a commitment from three-star safety Logan Steele from Shamokin Area High in Coal Township, PA.
Steele announced his pledge to the Deacs on April 8. While listed as a safety/athlete, Steele contributed on both sides of the ball in 2025. Per Rivals.com, he threw 10 touchdown passes last season, rushed for more than 1,100 yards and 21 more scores, picked off nine passes and made 58 total tackles on defense.
Wake Forest now has six commitments for 2027. Steele picked Wake Forest over offers from UConn, Ole Miss and USF, among other schools. He is listed by the Rivals Industry Ranking as the No. 18 player in Pennsylvania.
What it means: Wake Forest has the most 2027 commits of any North Carolina D1 program at this point. Coach Jake Dickert’s class ranks No. 30 in 247Sports team rankings as of April 15, a good sign that the Deacs are building on 2025 successes.
🔗 Find all commitments to North Carolina FBS and FCS programs: View our 2027 NC College Commitment Tracker
Former WCU RB transferring to West Florida
Former Western Carolina running back Markel Townsend, who made the Southern Conference’s All-Freshman team 2025, has committed to West Florida for 2026. Townsend recorded six TDs last season. He also rushed for 322 yards and made 173 yards in receptions.
Shaw DB Jaden Perkins enters transfer portal
Defensive back Jaden Perkins, who played at Shaw in 2025, entered the transfer portal on April 7, per 247Sports. Perkins (6-2, 205) picked off two passes and recorded 42 tackles this past season during nine games of action. Both of his INTs came against Lincoln in September.
Division II players do not have a transfer portal window like D1. Players can enter the portal at any time through the summer.
Transfer portal entries have been rare for Shaw this cycle, bucking a national trend across all levels of college football. That continuity showed up during the Bears’ spring game.
👉 READ MORE: Shaw Bears spring football recap: Bears feature deeper roster, improved skill talent coming out of spring
This Recruiting Buzz post tracks the latest commitments, recruiting and transfer news across North Carolina college football programs, with a focus on FBS, FCS and Division II teams.
