This page serves as NC Football News’ recruiting hub for North Carolina Central football, tracking commitments, recruiting news, signing day updates and transfer portal movement involving the Eagles.
Throughout the year, we’ll update this page with the latest additions to NCCU’s recruiting classes, incoming and outgoing transfers, player profiles and links to our recruiting coverage.
Bookmark this page and check back regularly as the future of North Carolina Central football continues to take shape.
🔄 Last Updated: July 7, 2026
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2027 Football Commits
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North Carolina Central 2027 Football Commits
North Carolina Central 2027 Football CommitsKnown Commitments: 6
North Carolina Commitments: 4
Offense: 1
Defense: 5
| NCCU (4 COMMITS) | POS | HT | WT | HOMETOWN | HIGH SCHOOL | COMMITED TO | STATUS | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Derek White | OL | 6-4 | 285 | Rolesville, NC | Rolesville HS | NC Central | Verbal 6/27/2026 | Picked NCCU over offers from Charleston Southern, Wingate, UNCP others |
| Markez Wilbert | DL | 6-2 | 270 | Raleigh, NC | Millbrook HS | NC Central | Verbal 6/27/2026 | Junior stats (2025): 60 tackles, 7 sacks, 16 TFLs, 20 QBH for 8A runners-up |
| Malachi Mingo | CB | 5-10 | 165 | Richmond, VA | Benedictine HS | NC Central | Verbal 6/26/2026 | 2nd-team all-state DB had 4 INTs, 12 PBUs, 2 defensive TDs in 2025 |
| Makai Yon | SAF | 5-10 | 185 | Greensboro, NC | Grimsley HS | NC Central | Verbal 6/22/2026 | FBS offers: Charlotte, Liberty; 4 INTs during 2025 season |
| Jayden Arrington | CB | 6-2 | 175 | Columbia, SC | Irmo HS | NC Central | Verbal 6/21/2026 | 32 tackles, 10 PBUs, 1 pick-six, 4 forced fumbles in 2025 |
| Kobe Whimper | DB | 6-0 | 178 | Durham, NC | Southern Durham HS | NC Central | Verbal 6/13/2026 | 70 tackles, 8 passes defended, 1 forced fumble in 2025 |
Are we missing a commitment? Let us know by tagging NC Football News on X or send an email to eric@ncfootballnews.com
2027 North Carolina Central Recruiting Snapshot
Recent Commitments
Markez Wilbert, DL, Raleigh, NC (Millbrook HS)
- Committed to North Carolina Central on June 27, 2026
- 6-2, 270-pound defensive tackle/defensive end
- CAP-8 All-Conference (1st team) in 2025
- Junior season stats (2025): 60 tackles, 7 sacks, 16 tackles-for-loss, 20 quarterback hurries for 8A state runners-up.
- Also reported offers from North Carolina A&T, East Tennessee State, Bryant, Campbell, Charleston Southern, Wofford.
Derek White, OL, Rolesville, NC (Rolesville HS)
- Committed to North Carolina Central on June 27, 2026
- 6-4, 285-pound offensive lineman who has played tackle and guard
- Also reported offers from Charleston Southern, Wingate, UNC Pembroke, Ferrum and Morehouse
Malachi Mingo, CB, Richmond, VA (Benedictine HS)
- Committed to North Carolina Central on June 26, 2026
- 5-10, 165-pound cornerback
- Reported 10 Division I offers, including Temple and James Madison from FBS and eight from FCS schools. Gardner-Webb also offered from North Carolina.
- Junior season stats (2025): 4 interceptions, 12 pass breakups, 2 defensive touchdowns, 39 tackles, 0 TDs allowed
- Second-team all-state defensive back
- Reports a 4.52 time in the 40-yard dash
- 74-inch wingspan
Makai Yon, SAF, Greensboro, NC (Grimsley HS)
- Committed to North Carolina Central on June 22, 2026
- 5-10, 185-pound safety, who also has played running back, wide receiver
- Reported FBS offers from Charlotte and Liberty, as well as FCS offers from Elon, Gardner-Webb, Fordham, Mercer and Samford.
- Junior season stats (2025): 67 tackles, 4 interceptions, 4 tackles-for-loss, 1 forced fumble, 1 pass breakup.
Jayden Arrington, CB, Columbia, SC (Irmo HS)
- Committed to North Carolina Central on June 21, 2026
- 6-2, 175-pound cornerback
- Reported offers from Georgia State and Mercer.
- Junior season stats (2025): 32 tackles, 10 pass-breakups, 1 pick-six, 4 forced fumbles
Kobe Whimper, DB, Durham, NC (Southern Durham HS)
- Committed to North Carolina Central on June 13, 2026
- 6-0, 178-pound defensive back/nickel
- Junior season stats (2025): 70 tackles, 8 passes defended, 1 forced fumble
- Sophomore season stats (2024): 46 tackles, 2 interceptions (MaxPreps)
- First Division I offer came from North Carolina Central in May 2026. Reported a D2 offer from Elizabeth City State
North Carolina Central 2026 Football Commits
| NCCU COMMIT | POS | HOMETOWN | SCHOOL | COMMITTED | VERBAL | SIGNED |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kingston Pritchard | FB/TE | Rabun Gap, GA | Rabun Gap-Nacoochee | North Carolina Central | 7/6/2026 | |
| Amari Sifford | DB | Charlotte, NC | Butler HS | North Carolina Central | 2/4/2026 | 2/4/2026 |
| Breon Dupree | DB | Portsmouth, VA | Churchland HS | North Carolina Central | 8/7/2025 | |
| Cameron Cartlidge | LB | Indianapolis, IN | Walkertown HS | North Carolina Central | 2/4/2026 | 2/4/2026 |
| D’Andre Artis-Boone | DB | Suffolk, VA | Kings Fork HS | North Carolina Central | 2/4/2026 | 2/4/2026 |
| Damon McDaniel Jr. | WR/FS | Norfolk, VA | Maury HS | North Carolina Central | 7/3/2025 | 2/4/2026 |
| Donovan Reaves | DT | Danville, VA | George Washington HS | North Carolina Central | 2/4/2026 | 2/4/2026 |
| Gino Addison | RB | Middleburg, FL | Middleburg HS | North Carolina Central | 7/10/2025 | 2/4/2026 |
| JaQuez Crawford | QB | Greensboro, NC | Northeast Guilford HS | North Carolina Central | 7/15/2025 | 2/4/2026 |
| Jayden Walker | LB | Yonkers, NY | Varina HS (Va) | North Carolina Central | 2/4/2026 | 2/4/2026 |
| Jaylen Moore | RB | Winston-Salem, NC | High Point Christian | North Carolina Central | 2/4/2026 | 2/4/2026 |
| Jaysen Oriol | DL | Cary, NC | Panther Creek HS | North Carolina Central | 2/1/2026 | 2/4/2026 |
| River Fiore | TE | Clayton, NC | Clayton HS | North Carolina Central | 2/4/2026 | 2/4/2026 |
| Shamar Marshall | DB | Washington, DC | Dunbar HS | North Carolina Central | 1/10/2026 | 2/4/2026 |
| Zy’Dar’Eyus Wynn | WR | Suffolk, VA | Kings Fork HS | North Carolina Central | 7/3/2025 | 2/4/2026 |
Class of 2026 News & Notes
North Carolina Central added an additional 2026 commitment during the summer leading up to the season:
Kingston Pritchard, FB/TE, Rabun Gap, GA (Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School)
- Committed to North Carolina Central on July 6, 2026 for the Class of 2026
- 6-0, 235-pound fullback, halfback and tight end
- 3.7 GPA
- All-conference player for Rabun Gap, which competes in the NCISAA, member of the 2024 NCISAA state championship squad.
Future Transfer Tracker
Transfer activity for the 2027 recruiting cycle will be added following the 2026 season and when the transfer portal opens again in January 2027.
To read more about 2026 transfer movement across North Carolina, explore our FCS Transfer Tracker
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