Forty-four of North Carolina’s top high school football seniors have been selected to represent the state in the 90th annual Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas.
The North Carolina roster was announced Sunday for the annual all-star game against South Carolina, scheduled for Dec. 19 at Spartanburg High School in Spartanburg, S.C.
This year’s roster stretches across the state and includes players from several of North Carolina’s top-ranked teams, including Hough, Grimsley, Cardinal Gibbons, Garner, Wake Forest, Weddington and Mallard Creek.
Hough quarterback Ethan Royal, a Marshall commitment, is one of two quarterbacks selected, joining Garner’s Christian Ormandy (Campbell commit). Royal will also have a familiar teammate on the North Carolina roster in defensive back Jackson Heath (Army commit).
Grimsley head coach Darryl Brown will serve as North Carolina’s head coach. The Whirlies are also represented by offensive lineman Gavin Milton (Duke commit) and defensive back Evander “EJ” Davis (James Madison commit).
WATCH NOW: The team coaches reveal their player selections for the 90th Annual Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas LIVE! https://t.co/O4ZdG4au3I — Bahakel Sports (@BahakelSports) September 27, 2026
Here is the complete North Carolina roster:
Quarterbacks
Ethan Royal, Hough
Christian Ormandy, Garner
Running backs
Christian Freeman, Southeast Raleigh
Micah Olu, Wake Forest
James Adams IV, Southeast Raleigh
Receivers
Jonathan Dillon, Southern Durham
AJ Roberts, Rolesville
Majay Thompson, Crest
Jailyn Moore, West Forsyth
Gavyn Davis, Northside-Jacksonville
Tight ends
Griffin Cockerham, Cardinal Gibbons
Finn Morgan, Pinecrest
Offensive linemen
Gavin Milton, Grimsley
Malek Griffin, Cardinal Gibbons
Kamel Tillman, Richmond Senior
Omari Graham, West Stokes
Bryce Johnson, Weddington
Gage Camp, Burns
Sammy Wooten, Lake Norman
Charlie Reece, Oak Grove
Athlete
Xzayvion “Mez” Harris, Wilson Hunt
Long snapper
Chip McCracken, St. Stephens
Kicker
Moses Barker, Willow Spring
Defensive linemen
King Kalama, Reagan
Marshall Chalk, Hoggard
Kai Phinazee, Forest Hills
Nate Kamba, Corvian Community
John Archer, Seventy-First
Gio Driggers, Trask
Chosen Hyman, East Forsyth
Linebackers
Xavier Perkins, Jordan
Josiah Sturdivant, Wake Forest
Aroson “AJ” Randle, Garner
Chris Baker, Forest Hills
Keyvon Propst, Starmount
Tyler Goebbel, Apex Friendship
Defensive backs
Evander “EJ” Davis, Grimsley
Jackson Heath, Hough
Mason Hefner, Lake Norman
Lance Henderson, Southern Durham
Dorian “DJ” Dailey, Mallard Creek
Kendrick Raper, Shelby
Darius Smith, Millbrook
Joziah Nicholson, West Forsyth
North Carolina coaching staff
Head coach: Darryl Brown, Grimsley
Assistant coaches: Juan Jackson, C.B. Hunt; Tiesuan Brown, Mount Tabor; Steven Wright, Cardinal Gibbons; David Devine, Burns; Battle Holley, East Duplin; Joe Rigsbee, Grimsley
2026 Shrine Bowl game information
Game: North Carolina vs. South Carolina
Date: Dec. 19, 2026
Location: Spartanburg High School, Spartanburg, S.C.
Edition: 90th annual Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas
Coming on Monday… hear from North Carolina's 2026 @ShrineBowlNCSC head coach and the leader of a team that has won 34 straight games,
DARRYL BROWN of @grimsleyfb 🏈 #HSFB @NCFootballNews pic.twitter.com/ML1VB2T4yI — NCSN | NORTH CAROLINA SPORTS NETWORK (@TheNCSportsNet) September 27, 2026
🔗 More North Carolina High School Football Coverage
- 2027 North Carolina College Commitment Tracker: View who’s coming to North Carolina college programs
- 2027 North Carolina High School Commitment Tracker: See where North Carolina high school prospects have committed for college.
- NC Football Recruiting News Feed
- High School Football Scoreboard Hub
