We’re less than a week away from the traditional February “National Signing Day” for 2026 high school prospects making their college choices official.
While FBS programs typically secure most of their high school commitments during the December early signing period, many FCS and Division II teams add a large portion of their classes during the February window.
Below is a recruiting buzz update for Jan. 29, spotlighting recent small-college pledges — many from in-state — along with notes on a few developing trends.
North Carolina A&T building defensive front with in-state commits
North Carolina A&T has been especially active on the in-state recruiting trail in recent weeks. The Aggies had a fruitful visit weekend in the middle of the month, resulting in multiple commitments, particularly along the defensive front. Recent names to join the Aggies’ 2026 class:
OL/DL Christian Scarlett | Wallace, NC | Wallace-Rose Hill HS
The 6-foot-5, 348-pound lineman pledged to the Aggies after visiting the Greensboro campus in mid-January.
DL Dawson James | Indian Trail, NC | Porter Ridge HS
Two-way lineman earned all-conference honors and carries a 3.6 GPA. Committed following a mid-January visit weekend.
DE D.J. Joyce | Mount Airy, NC | Mount Airy HS
All-state edge rusher finished his career as Mount Airy’s all-time sacks leader with 12.5 sacks in 2025, adding 37 tackles-for-loss and 77 total tackles.
DE/TE Ethan Clabo | Mount Airy, NC | Mount Airy HS
Team captain posted 29 tackles-for-loss and eight sacks while earning all-conference honors. Also a two-sport standout for Mount Airy.
K/P Asher Holland | Durham, NC | Jordan HS
Three-year specialist finished his prep career with 202 total kicker points (including 163 PATs) and averaged 39.6 yards per punt while also handling kickoff duties.
Additional recent A&T commitments include:
– WR Maceo Watkins (Pittsburgh, PA | Central Catholic) – Jan. 22
– DB Bryson Hughley (Fort Valley, GA | Peach County HS) – Jan. 21
In-state D2 programs add experienced playmakers
A number of North Carolina’s top D2 playmakers from 2025 entered the portal – and several have garnered D1 opportunities for 2026. Here are recent high school commits from North Carolina high schools aiming to be part of the next wave of elite D2 talent in our state:
QB Ethan Presley | Mount Holly, NC | Hunter Huss HS
Committed to Wingate
Finished his high school career with 3,576 passing yards and 37 touchdowns. Battled injuries as a senior but still threw for 1,750 yards, 17 touchdowns and added three rushing scores, closing his prep career with a 355-yard, four-TD performance.
RB LJ Watson | Charlotte, NC | Jay M. Robinson HS
Committed to UNC Pembroke
Two-year team captain compiled 3,000 career rushing yards and 40 rushing touchdowns.
RB Zach Cullen | Monroe, NC | Sun Valley HS
Committed to UNC Pembroke
Versatile three-way contributor rushed for 1,442 yards and 16 touchdowns, added 393 receiving yards and three more scores, threw for a touchdown and recorded a pick-six on defense.
ATH Eric Chisley | Garner, NC | Garner HS
Committed to Barton
Speedy multi-purpose athlete reports a 40-yard dash time of 4.39.
QB Brady Swett | Sherrills Ford, NC | Bandys HS
Committed to Lenoir-Rhyne
Dual-threat quarterback passed for 2,977 yards and 32 touchdowns to lead North Carolina 4A football, adding 501 rushing yards and 14 more scores. Three-time all-conference performer who also reported an offer from FBS Charlotte.
WR Tate Estep | Charlotte, NC | Charlotte Christian HS
Committed to Barton
Productive playmaker caught 53 passes for 842 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 15.9 yards per reception.
WR/DB Greyson Council | Greensboro, NC | Northern Guilford H
Committed to Mars Hill
Averaged 24.6 yards per catch in 2025 with 35 receptions for 862 yards and five touchdowns. Finished his career with nearly 1,500 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns.
After deep conversations with my parents and coaches I am truly blessed and honored to announce I’ll be playing college football this fall for @UNCP_Football let’s get to work! @CoachHarrisUNCP @CoachHallUNCP @CoachBFri29 @CoachJRiley_ @RecruitSVFB @UNCP_Sports @NCFootballNews… pic.twitter.com/Ft3KM6U2Oz — Zach Cullen (@ZachCullen8) January 19, 2026
Additional commitments around the state
Several other recent pledges stood out during the latest review of North Carolina’s 2026 recruiting landscape:
DE Ryder Kilgannon | Waxhaw, NC | Charlotte Christian HS
Committed to Elon
Three-time all-conference and all-county performer recorded 110 tackles in 2025, helping Charlotte Christian reach the NCISAA state title game. Played linebacker, defensive end and tight end.
OL Shawn Kennedy | Cornelius, NC | Hough HS
Committed to Samford (FCS)
Helped pave the way for a Hough offense that won the 8A state championship in 2025. Picked up his first Division I offer from Samford on Jan. 25 and committed the following day.
LB Luke Faulkner | Bailey, NC | Southern Nash HS
Committed to North Greenville
Southern Nash’s career tackles leader earned Big East all-conference honors four times during his prep career, was named 2024 conference defensive player of the year and made the NCCA East-West All-Star game. He carries a 4.43 GPA.
OL/DL Hunter Tedder | Sherrills Ford, NC | SouthLake Christian HS
Committed to Catawba
All-conference lineman previously overcame a battle with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and credited faith and perseverance as central to his journey back to football and the Indians’ latest recruiting class.
ATH Luke Barnett | Statham, GA | North Oconee HS
Committed to Lenoir-Rhyne
Georgia’s 8-AAAA Defensive Player of the Year finished his senior season with 87 tackles, two interceptions, five pass breakups and a touchdown on each side of the ball.
COMMITTED to be a TRAILBLAZER
NC 252 ➡️ SC 864@NGUFootball1
Proverbs 21:31
Thank you to @CLARKNGDC @Nate_Garner_75 for believing in me and providing me this opportunity to work! @cotcheryfoundat #LetsWork #ToGodBeTheGlory #TigervilleBound pic.twitter.com/w4BEfM0r7S — Luke Faulkner 2026 (@LukeFaulkner28) January 29, 2026
More 2026 commitments logged
The following additional pledges have been added to the 2026 in-state commitment tracker:
- DL/TE Connor McFadden (Fort Mill, SC | Catawba Ridge HS) → Catawba
- LB/DB Walter Royster (Franklinton HS) → Elizabeth City State
- C Cooper Helman (Myers Park HS) → Hampden-Sydney (D3)
- LB Jonathan Manson (Franklinton HS) → Indiana Wesleyan (NAIA)
- DT/NG Omari Taylor (Franklinton HS) → North Carolina Wesleyan (D3)
- OL Kenneth Middleton (Franklinton HS) → North Carolina Wesleyan (D3)
- OLB Nehemiah Parker (Crest HS) → Wingate
- QB Brayden Jeffries (Dudley HS) → Winston-Salem State
After an awesome official visit and great talk with the coaches and players, I am announcing that I am fully committed to @IndWesleyan_FB I first want to thank all the teams and coaches that recruited me and were willing to give me opportunities. I never took any of them lightly,… pic.twitter.com/XXDCUxznjv — Jonathan Manson (@JonathanManso12) January 16, 2026
Tracking the 2026 class
Our 2026 North Carolina college football commitment trackers are updated regularly and organized by division to reflect the steady flow of new pledges throughout the year.
We currently maintain two primary trackers for the Class of 2026:
- Where North Carolina high school prospects have committed: A comprehensive look at where in-state players from the Class of 2026 are headed — whether they’re staying in North Carolina or signing with out-of-state programs.
- Incoming commitments to North Carolina college programs: A program-by-program tracker of recruits committed to play at North Carolina colleges, organized by level (FBS and FCS), with additional divisions added as information becomes available.
If we’ve missed a commitment, feel free to tag @NCFootballNews on X so we can keep our trackers as complete and accurate as possible.
