CHARLOTTE – Mallard Creek High has only been open since 2007, but its football program already has built a reputation as a pipeline to higher levels of play.
Two Maverick alums, Jordan Davis (Philadelphia Eagles) and DJ Humphries (Kansas City Chiefs), played in the most recent Super Bowl, and the next wave of stars is on its way.
Mallard Creek has seen 15 seniors from its Class of 2025 sign with college programs, continuing a legacy of success that stretches from the NFL to FBS, FCS and Division II football.
Two 2025 Mavericks signed during the December 2024 early signing period. Thirteen more added their names to the list on National Signing Day earlier this month.
“Mallard Creek’s been open for a short period of time, but it’s had a remarkable football history,” head coach Kennedy Tinsley told WSOC-TV during a recent interview.
This year’s signing class features two NCAA FBS commits, three FCS signees and 10 Division II recruits, spreading Mallard Creek talent across the Sun Belt Conference, CAA, Southern Conference, South Atlantic Conference, Conference Carolinas, CIAA and Mountain East Conference.
NCAA Division I FBS & FCS Commitments
- Justin Watts (DB) – Old Dominion (FBS, Sun Belt)
- Versatile defensive back with state-championship track speed, who ran a leg on Mallard Creek’s recent indoor track 4×400 state championship relay team.
- Brandon Rose (DB) – Coastal Carolina (FBS, Sun Belt)
- First-team all-conference selection signed with the Chanticleers in December. Rose reported an SEC offer (Vanderbilt) and is listed as the No. 29 prospect from North Carolina in our most recent 2025 composite statewide rankings
- Nassor Ashenafi (DB) – Western Carolina (FCS, SoCon)
- NC East-West All-Star Game participant with a key interception in that game. Also part of Mallard Creek’s state champion 4×200 relay team.
- Caleb Knight (CB) – VMI (FCS, SoCon)
- Multi-position athlete at Mallard Creek; projects as a cornerback at the next level.
- Chaz Knox (DT) – Elon (FCS, CAA)
- Joined Mallard Creek after three seasons at A.L. Brown in Kannapolis. He inked with Elon in December and is listed on the Phoenix’s spring 2025 roster.
Division II Commitments
South Atlantic Conference:
- Wingate (Defending SAC Champions) signed three Mavericks:
- Zion Burden (DL), Anthony Dangerfield (DB), Jordan Shaw (OL/DL)
- Lenoir-Rhyne: Lawson Collins (OLB)
- Emory & Henry: Evan Rambert (QB) – One of six QBs in Wasps’ 2025 class.
- UVA Wise: Elijah Thompson (WR)
Conference Carolinas:
- UNC Pembroke (expected D2 playoff contender) adds two Mavericks:
- Nick Griffith (DL), Chris Rogers (DB)
CIAA:
- Jamal Haizlip (WR) joins the CIAA ranks with Livingstone College.
Mountain East Conference:
- Curtis Clark (ATH) – Running back, receiver, and kick return specialist signs with Mountain Lions, who recently hired former WCU assistant Cody Edwards as head coach.
Mallard Creek’s 2024 Season Recap
The Mavericks finished 10-3 (6-1 in conference play) and made a strong playoff run, defeating Lake Norman (34-9) and Watauga (23-0) before falling in the third round to Hough.
Several 2025 signees earned all-conference honors:
- First Team: Jordan Shaw (OL/DL), Lawson Collins (LB), Chaz Knox (DL), Brandon Rose (DB)
- Second Team: Curtis Clark, Elijah Thompson, Caleb Knight, Zion Burden, Chris Rogers, Anthony Dangerfield, Nick Griffith
More High School & Recruiting Coverage
North Carolina Class of 2025 Composite Statewide Player Rankings
North Carolina Class of 2026 College Commitments
High School Football Scoreboard: 2025 Hub
This story is part of our High School Football Spotlight series, highlighting notable players, teams and moments in North Carolina high school football. Have a story idea, standout player or team achievement worth featuring? Guest columns welcome. Email us at eric@ncfootballnews.com or reach out on Twitter/X.
