2027 NC Football Recruiting Rankings: North Carolina Board Grows to 71 Prospects

North Carolina’s Class of 2027 high school football recruiting cycle has entered a new phase.

Since NC Football News’ last updated player rankings story in May, the board has shifted dramatically:

• Nearly every nationally ranked prospect in the state has announced a college commitment
• Recruiting services have expanded their evaluations to include 20 more North Carolina players from the 2027 class
• And, the focus has largely shifted from recruiting battles to tracking how these prospects finish their high school careers.

The changes are reflected in the latest NC Football News 2027 Consensus Rankings. 

National recruiting services have now collectively evaluated and ranked 71 North Carolina prospects, up from 53 in May. Two players who previously appeared in at least one national ranking have since dropped out of all three services and were removed from our consensus list.

Just as notable, 63 of the 71 ranked prospects have announced college commitments, compared to just 19 when our last rankings update was published in May.

The NC Football News Consensus Rankings are not a scouting evaluation. Instead, they provide a snapshot of how the three major national recruiting services — 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN — currently view North Carolina’s Class of 2027. 

We compile each service’s rankings, average them into a single consensus ranking, and update the list at key points throughout the recruiting cycle.

👉 Jump to the full 2027 North Carolina player rankings table

Some takeaways from our latest update:

---

We now have co-No. 1s

In our March and May updates, Hough High cornerback Joshua Dobson occupied the top spot in our rankings. Rivals and ESPN listed him as their No. 1 player, while 247Sports had him at No. 2.

In our latest update, Dobson is joined in our consensus top spot by East Lincoln tight end Jaxon Dollar. Both have an average rating of 2.33, with Dollar considered 247Sports’ top prospect, and Dobson holding firm at No. 1 with Rivals and ESPN.

Dollar was already committed to Georgia when we wrote our May update. Dobson announced a commitment to South Carolina on July 1. Two of North Carolina’s best headed to rival teams in the SEC.

Millbrook edge rusher Rashad Streets slides up one spot to No. 3. Cardinal Gibbons cornerback Xavier Hasan moves back one click to No. 4 and Garner linebacker Aroson Randle Jr. remains at No. 5.

To address the confusion from my comments, I want to make something very clear: I am 1000% committed to USC 🤙🏽. Go Gamecocks!

During the interview, the reporter asked me how it felt now that the recruiting process was over. My response was that it's far from over because I still… https://t.co/FKhs7idWzf — 5⭐️Joshua Dobson (@JoshDobsonDB) July 4, 2026

---

Recruiting services are finding more talent

When we compiled our first rankings list in March, we charted 45 players identified by 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN. That number grew to 53 by May and then jumped to 71 entering July. The explosion was driven by deeper spring evaluations coming out of junior days, camps and official visits. New offers and player commitments to Division I programs also got more North Carolina talent on national radars.

The top newcomer to our consensus list is Grimsley cornerback Ramir Harris-Dupree. He debuts at No. 27 fresh off a commitment to Indiana, the reigning national champions.

Wake Forest High edge rusher Josiah Sturdivant and South Garner wideout Randolph Ross moved firmly into our rankings, both tied for 30th. Sturdivant is a Rutgers commit, while Ross has pledged to Wake Forest.

Other newcomers to the list include:

• WR Khy’lieb Rodriguez (Ardrey Kell HS): 34th
• WR Londyn McElroy (Ambassador Christian): T-44th 
• EDGE Christian Stowe (Crest HS): T-47th
• RB Micah Olu (Wake Forest HS): T-47th
• WR Ethan Dempsey (Providence Day): T-49th
• TE Phoenix Barnes (Jack Britt HS): T-51st
• TE Drew Easter (Southeast Alamance HS): T-56th
• OL Sammy Wooten (Lake Norman HS): 58th
• SAF Evander Davis (Grimsley HS): 59th
• SAF Andre Grier (Ayden-Grifton HS): T-60th
• Chosen Hyman (East Forsyth HS): 63rd
• Mason Hefner (Lake Norman HS): 64th
• Ford Fehling (Marvin Ridge HS): T-65th
• Gio Driggers (Heide Trask HS): T-65th
• Hayes Brawner (Millbrook HS): T-65th
• Bryce Johnson (Weddington HS): T-68th
• Moses Barker (Willow Spring HS): T-68th

---

Defense still rules the top of the board

Despite movement throughout the rankings, North Carolina’s elite talent continues to be concentrated on defense. 

Seven of the top 10 prospects play on the defensive side of the ball, led by cornerbacks Joshua Dobson and Xavier Hasan, edge rushers Rashad Streets and Andrew Rogers (Grimsley), linebackers Aroson Randle Jr. and Quinton Cypher (Millbrook), and defensive tackle John Archer (Seventy-First).

---

Offensive playmakers gaining ground

While defense remains the strength of the class, several offensive prospects climbed the rankings this summer. 

Georgia tight end commit Jaxon Dollar now shares the No. 1 spot, while wide receivers Anthony Roberts (Rolesville), Majay Thompson (Crest) and Randolph Ross (South Garner) all remain among the state’s highest-rated offensive recruits.

---

In-state schools making a stronger push

East Carolina leads all North Carolina programs with seven commitments from the consensus rankings – including six of the newcomers to our list – while Duke, NC State and Wake Forest each have four. 

Although many of the state’s elite prospects continue heading to national programs out of state, North Carolina colleges have strengthened their position deeper into the rankings.

The highest ranked in-state pledge is Grimsley edge rusher Andrew Rogers, who holds steady at No. 13. Rogers picked the ECU Pirates.

South Carolina has been the biggest mover among out-of-state schools. Coach Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks have landed four of the state’s top 11 – Joshua Dobson, Davion Jones, John Archer and Jayden Broadie. James Madison also has been recruiting strong in our state, earning three commitments.

---

Biggest movers

Biggest Risers

• Brennan Drummond (+12)
• King Kalama (+7)
• Majay Thompson (+3)
• Antwan McKoy (+2)

Biggest Drops

• Sean Kraft (-23)
• Tyson Broadway (-18)
• Alex Haynes (-14)
• Cooper Hodson (-14)

Three-year varsity starter
First Team All Conference
Five career interceptions
3.75 GPA
Job is not finished… pic.twitter.com/BWwlPlyM9d — Brennan Drummond 3⭐️ (@B_Drummond4) January 21, 2026

---

Pipeline Schools: State championship contenders churning out elite talent

Providence Day School has been a football powerhouse in the North Carolina independent schools division for several years, winning the NCISAA Division I championship in 2025. The private school from Charlotte also has been dynamic on the recruiting trail. Providence Day has eight players currently in our rankings list. Each has made college commitments already:

• SAF Robert Geathers III: Florida
• DL Griff Galloway: Kentucky
• ATH Caleb Cooper: Penn State
• SAF Brennan Drummond: Nebraska
• SAF Moses Poku-Kankam: Rutgers
• WR Ethan Dempsey: Charlotte
• WR Steele Fletcher: Wake Forest
• OL Cooper Hodson: Delaware

Defending NCHSAA 8A state champion Hough High has four players in our rankings, including co-No. 1 Joshua Dobson. Three other schools also have four in our ratings: 8A runner-up Millbrook, 7A champion Grimsley and 8A Rolesville.

---

What’s next for 2027 North Carolina high school football recruiting?

Recruiting never stops, but the late spring/early summer commitment frenzy has reached its peak. Players and teams are now focusing on preparing for the upcoming season, which kicks off in mid-August.

Uncommitted prospects are still sorting through their offers. Some will make decisions before starting their senior seasons, while others will wait until the days and weeks leading up to the December signing period.

Expect even more names to enter our next rankings list, which will come out once the 2026 high school season is underway.

For reference, Rivals’ final rankings for the 2026 North Carolina recruiting class included 93 players. 247Sports’ final rankings had 90. We expect at least that many when we close the books on 2027 high school recruiting.

---

2027 North Carolina Football Recruiting: Consensus Player Rankings

Our July update features 71 prospects, including 20 newcomers.

RANK	CHANGE	NAME	POS	SCHOOL	STATUS	247	RIVALS	ESPN	CONSENSUS	HOMETOWN
T-1	▲1	Jaxon Dollar	TE	East Lincoln HS	Committed to Georgia	1	2	4	2.33	Denver, NC
T-1	—	Joshua Dobson	CB	Hough HS	Committed to South Carolina	5	1	1	2.33	Cornelius, NC
3	▲1	Rashad Streets	EDGE	Millbrook HS	Commited to Oregon	2	4	2	2.67	Raleigh, NC
4	▼1	Xavier Hasan	CB	Cardinal Gibbons HS	Committed to Notre Dame	4	3	3	3.33	Raleigh, NC
5	—	Aroson Randle Jr.	LB	Garner HS	Committed to Miami	3	5	5	4.33	Garner, NC
6	▲1	Davion Jones	SAF	Hough HS	Committed to South Carolina	6	7	6	6.33	Charlotte, NC
7	▼1	John Archer	DT	Seventy-First HS	Committed to South Carolina	7	8	7	7.33	Fayetteville, NC
8	—	Quinton Cypher	LB	Millbrook HS	Committed to Ohio State	8	9	11	9.33	Raleigh, NC
9	—	Nate Kamba	DL	Corvian Community	Committed to Auburn	9	11	9	9.67	Charlotte, NC
10	—	Jalaythan Mayfield	LB	Lincolnton HS	Committed to Indiana	16	6	10	10.67	Lincolnton, NC
11	▲1	Jayden Broadie	EDGE	Rolesville HS	Committed to South Carolina	12	13	14	13.00	Raleigh, NC
12	▲2	Antwan McKoy	DL	Saint Pauls HS	Committed to Georgia	13	14	13	13.33	Saint Pauls, NC
13	—	Andrew Rogers	EDGE	Grimsley HS	Committed to East Carolina	14	12	15	13.67	Greensboro, NC
14	▼3	Marquis Bryant	SAF	Rolesville HS	Committed to Kentucky	15	16	12	14.33	Rolesville, NC
15	—	Anthony Roberts	WR	Rolesville HS	Committed to Virginia Tech	21	10	20	17.00	Rolesville, NC
16	▲3	Majay Thompson	WR	Crest HS	Committed to Florida State	17	18	19	18.00	Shelby, NC
17	▼1	Xavier Perkins	DL	Jordan HS	Committed to Virginia Tech	10	33	16	19.67	Durham, NC
18	▲7	King Kalama	EDGE	Reagan HS	Committed to Duke	11	22	27	20.00	Pfafftown, NC
19	▼2	Amir Brown	RB	Rolesville HS	Committed to Nebraska	18	37	8	21.00	Raleigh, NC
20	▼2	Jonathan Dillon	WR	Southern Durham HS	Committed to Duke	20	19	25	21.33	Durham, NC
21	▼2	Akedran Crumel	CB	Clayton HS		22	17	28	22.33	Clayton, NC
22	▼1	Robert Geathers III	SAF	Providence Day School	Committed to Florida	24	25	21	23.33	Charlotte, NC
23	▼1	Jesiah Fields	DL	Corvian Community	Committed to Louisville	31	23	18	24.00	Charlotte, NC
24	—	Lance Henderson	ATH	Southern Durham HS	Committed to Duke	23	26	26	25.00	Durham, NC
25	▼3	Cairo Williams	SAF	Millbrook HS		25	15	41	27.00	Raleigh, NC
26	—	Amir Moore	DL	Harrells Christian	Committed to NC State	39	21	24	28.00	Harrells, NC
27	NEW	Ramir Harris-Dupree	CB	Grimsley HS	Committed to Indiana	34	31	22	29.00	Greensboro, NC
T-28	—	Gavin Milton	OT	Grimsley HS	Committed to Duke	27	30	31	29.33	Greensboro, NC
T-28	▼1	Griff Galloway	DL	Providence Day School	Committed to Kentucky	19	46	23	29.33	Charlotte, NC
T-30	NEW	Josiah Sturdivant	EDGE	Wake Forest HS	Committed to Rutgers	28	27	35	30.00	Wake Forest, NC
T-30	NEW	Randolph Ross	WR	South Garner HS	Committed to Wake Forest	33	20	37	30.00	Garner, NC
32	▼1	Keland Shelton Jr.	SAF	Chambers HS	Committed to Wake Forest	26	41	33	33.33	Charlotte, NC
33	▼1	Christian Freeman	RB	Southeast Raleigh HS	Committed to NC State	37	36	29	34.00	Raleigh, NC
34	NEW	Khy’lieb Rodriguez	WR	Ardrey Kell HS	Committed to NC State	40	47	17	34.67	Charlotte, NC
T-35	▼2	Caleb Cooper	ATH	Providence Day School	Committed to Penn State	30	44	32	35.33	Charlotte, NC
T-35	▼2	Griffin Cockerham	TE	Cardinal Gibbons HS	Committed to NC State	38	38	30	35.33	Raleigh, NC
T-35	▼6	Qualteau Hawkins	TE	Cramer HS		41	24	41	35.33	Cramerton, NC
38	▼8	Kamari Holloway	RB	Southern Durham HS	Committed to Temple	32	34	41	35.67	Durham, NC
39	▲12	Brennan Drummond	S	Providence Day School	Committed to Nebraska	29	43	38	36.67	Charlotte, NC
40	▼3	Moreno Fisher	OT	Hough HS	Committed to Virginia	47	29	36	37.33	Cornelius, NC
41	▼6	Charlie Reece	OT	Oak Grove HS	Committed to Wake Forest	45	28	40	37.67	Winston-Salem, NC
42	▼7	Michael Griffin Jr.	LB	Hough HS		36	39	41	38.67	Charlotte, NC
43	▼5	Moses Poku-Kankam	SAF	Providence Day School	Committed to Rutgers	46	40	34	40.00	Charlotte, NC
T-44	NEW	Londyn McElroy	WR	Ambassador Christian	Committed to Cincinnati	63	32	41	45.33	Huntersville, NC
T-44	▼2	Marcus Sales Jr.	ATH	Cannon School	Committed to Ohio	44	51	41	45.33	Concord, NC
46	▼8	Elijah Davis	RB	Reagan HS		35	62	41	46.00	Pfafftown, NC
T-47	NEW	Christian Stowe	EDGE	Crest HS	Committed to South Florida	53	45	41	46.33	Shelby, NC
T-47	NEW	Micah Olu	RB	Wake Forest HS	Committed to Eastern Michigan	63	35	41	46.33	Wake Forest, NC
T-49	NEW	Ethan Dempsey	WR	Providence Day School	Committed to Charlotte	48	55	41	48.00	Charlotte, NC
T-49	▼5	Steele Fletcher	WR	Providence Day School	Committed to Wake Forest	51	54	39	48.00	Charlotte, NC
T-51	▼11	Ethan Royal	QB	Hough HS	Committed to Marshall	42	62	41	48.33	Cornelius, NC
T-51	NEW	Phoenix Barnes	TE	Jack Britt HS	Committed to East Carolina	52	52	41	48.33	Fayetteville, NC
T-53	▼12	Jailyn Moore	WR	West Forsyth HS		43	62	41	48.67	Clemmons, NC
T-53	▼10	Saimair Horton	SAF	Dudley HS		63	42	41	48.67	Greensboro, NC
55	▼11	Vermont Carmack	ATH	Dudley HS	Committed to Southern Miss	50	56	41	49.00	Greensboro, NC
T-56	NEW	Drew Easter	TE	Southeast Alamance HS	Committed to FIU	63	48	41	50.67	Haw River, NC
T-56	▼10	Nori White	IOL	Hough HS	Committed to James Madison	49	62	41	50.67	Cornelius, NC
58	NEW	Sammy Wooten	IOL	Lake Norman HS	Committed to Appalachian State	63	49	41	51.00	Mooresville, NC
59	NEW	Evander Davis	SAF	Grimsley HS	Committed to James Madison	63	50	41	51.33	Greensboro, NC
T-60	▼14	Alex Haynes	CB	Metrolina Christian		63	53	41	52.33	Charlotte, NC
T-60	NEW	Andre Grier	SAF	Ayden-Grifton HS	Committed to East Carolina	54	62	41	52.33	Ayden, NC
62	▼14	Cooper Hodson	IOL	Providence Day School	Committed to Delaware	55	62	41	52.67	Charlotte, NC
63	NEW	Chosen Hyman	DL	East Forsyth HS	Committed to East Carolina	56	62	41	53.00	Kernersville, NC
64	NEW	Mason Hefner	LB	Lake Norman HS	Committed to East Carolina	57	62	41	53.33	Mooresville, NC
T-65	NEW	Ford Fehling	K	Marvin Ridge HS	Committed to Tennessee	60	60	41	53.67	Waxhaw, NC
T-65	NEW	Gio Driggers	OL	Heide Trask HS	Committed to East Carolina	58	62	41	53.67	Rocky Point, NC
T-65	NEW	Hayes Brawner	TE	Millbrook HS	Committed to James Madison	63	57	41	53.67	Raleigh, NC
T-68	NEW	Bryce Johnson	OL	Weddington HS	Committed to East Carolina	59	62	41	54.00	Matthews, NC
T-68	NEW	Moses Barker	K	Willow Spring HS	Committed to NC State	62	59	41	54.00	Fuquay-Varina, NC
T-68	▼18	Tyson Broadway	QB	Reidsville HS		63	58	41	54.00	Reidsville, NC
71	▼23	Sean Kraft	LS	Asheville Christian	Committed to Notre Dame	61	61	41	54.33	Swannanoa, NC
					63 COMMITMENTS (7/5/2026)

---

Follow North Carolina football recruiting

NC Football News is tracking recruiting from both sides of the state’s football pipeline:

• North Carolina high school commitments: See where in-state high school players have committed.
• North Carolina college commitment tracker: See which players are joining North Carolina’s FBS and FCS programs
• Latest Recruiting News & Updates: Explore our news feed for NC recruiting coverage and more.