ESPN just released its SC Next Jr. 300 national rankings for the high school football class of 2028, and North Carolina is well-represented.
Twelve players from North Carolina made the national list, led by E.E. Smith defensive end Cassell Cruickshank at No. 9 overall and Providence Day wide receiver Braylon Clark at No. 11.
Four North Carolina prospects landed inside the top 100, giving the state an early spotlight in a class that still has two full high school seasons ahead.
Cassell Cruickshank debuts at No. 9 overall in the inaugural SC Next Jr. 300 for the class of 2028 @CassellCr
The 6’5” 230lb DE attends E.E. Smith High School in Fayetteville, North Carolina. https://t.co/u24eTiyFQu pic.twitter.com/dIhCnWheea — Billy Tucker (@TheUCReport) May 27, 2026
What does it mean?
The SC Next Jr. 300 is ESPN’s official national player ranking for elite Class of 2028 prospects. The rankings are early, but they show that North Carolina’s 2028 class already has national weight – continuing a trend from recent seasons.
Cruickshank’s offer list is especially telling. Every FBS program in the state has offered, along with a litany of national powers such as Alabama, Ohio State, LSU, Miami, Florida and Florida State. That kind of attention suggests North Carolina will be a major recruiting battleground in this cycle.
North Carolina players in the 2028 ESPN 300
No. 9 — Cassell Cruickshank, DE, E.E. Smith High
The Fayetteville defensive end is listed at 6-5, 230 pounds and already holds offers from all seven in-state FBS programs — App State, Charlotte, Duke, ECU, NC State, UNC and Wake Forest — along with national powers such as Alabama, Ohio State, LSU, Miami, Florida and Florida State. ESPN gives him five stars and an 88 grade.
No. 11 — Braylon Clark, WR, Providence Day School
Clark gives North Carolina a second prospect just outside the national top 10. The Charlotte wide receiver is listed at 6-2, 190 pounds, carries a four-star rating from ESPN and already has more than 20 offers. ESPN gives him an 88 grade.
No. 57 — Grayson Williams, OG, Southeast Raleigh High
Williams is the state’s highest-ranked offensive lineman in the ESPN 300. The Raleigh prospect is listed at 6-4, 315 pounds and carries a four-star rating with an 83 ESPN grade.
No. 99 — Kaden Craft, QB/DT, Lake Norman High
Craft gives the state four prospects inside the national top 100. The Mooresville standout is listed at 6-4, 205 pounds and carries a four-star rating with an 82 ESPN grade.
No. 121 — Ryan Peterson, ILB, Hough High
Cornelius, NC | 6-1, 225 | 4 stars | ESPN grade: 81
No. 141 — Zion Dobson, CB, East Forsyth High
Kernersville, NC | 6-0, 160 | 4 stars | ESPN grade: 80
No. 189 — Nate Dollard, CB, Charlotte Country Day
Charlotte, NC | 6-0, 160 | 4 stars | ESPN grade: 80
No. 194 — Skylar Alston, ILB, Cardinal Gibbons High
Raleigh, NC | 6-1, 210 | 4 stars | ESPN grade: 80
No. 210 — Joseph Gibbs, WR, Southeast Alamance High
Haw River, NC | 6-1, 190 | 4 stars | ESPN grade: 80
No. 211 — Darias Johnson, DE, Broughton High
Raleigh, NC | 6-4, 230 | 4 stars | ESPN grade: 80
No. 230 — Domonic Williams Jr., CB, Jacksonville High
Jacksonville, NC | 5-11, 190 | 3 stars | ESPN grade: 79
No. 261 — Tyson Williams, DE, Shelby High
Shelby, NC | 6-4, 240 | 3 stars | ESPN grade: 79
By the Numbers
- 12 total players
- 4 players in the top 100
- 2 players in the top 15
- 10 four-star prospects
- 2 three-star prospects
- 3 defensive ends
- 3 defensive backs
- 2 wide receivers
- 2 linebackers
