If you’re undecided about who to root for in Monday night’s College Football Playoff national championship game, consider backing Notre Dame for the North Carolina angle.
The Irish roster features seven players with hometowns in the Old North State, including the late-game hero of Notre Dame’s semifinal win over Penn State, kicker Mitch Jeter from Salisbury.
Ohio State does not list any players with North Carolina hometowns on its current roster (though at least one is coming).
The North Carolina contingent for Notre Dame includes players who have made significant contributions this season – freshman defensive end Bryce Young, senior tight end Davis Sherwood and offensive lineman Sam Pendleton. The other three, freshman wide receiver Micah Gilbert, freshman tight end Jack Larsen and sophomore offensive lineman Sullivan Absher, also have seen the field in reserve roles.
The championship game will kick off at 7:30 p.m. at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The contest will be broadcast on ESPN.
Jeter helped send Notre Dame to the title tilt by calmly hitting a 41-yard field goal with seven seconds left against Penn State, breaking a 24-24 tie. He made history in the process, becoming the first kicker to make a go-ahead field goal in the fourth quarter of a playoff game. Kickers had been 0-for-4 in CFP games until that point.
Jeter played high school football for the Cabarrus Warriors, affiliated with Cannon School in Concord. He spent four year at the University of South Carolina, kicking for the Gamecocks, before joining the Irish as a graduate transfer this season.
Gilbert and Young were high school teammates at Charlotte Christian. Larsen played at Charlotte Catholic. Pendleton is from Lawsonville in Stokes County and played at Reagan. Sherwood hails from Greensboro and played for a trio of out-of-state prep schools, while Absher is from Belmont (South Point HS).
North Carolina Pipeline To South Bend?
Notre Dame is set to add another North Carolina talent later this year. JaDon Blair, a four-star safety from Winston-Salem (Mount Tabor), is part of the Irish’s 2025 high school class, ranked No. 13 in the nation by 247Sports. Linebacker Thomas Davis Jr. from Matthews (Weddington HS) has committed to Notre Dame from the Class of 2026.
Davis’ Weddington teammate Trajen Odom, a three-star defensive lineman, has signed with Ohio State as part of the Buckeyes’ highly acclaimed 2025 recruiting class (ranked in the top five by national outlets).
Here are more details on the North Carolina contingent who will be wearing Irish golden domes on Monday night, trying to lead Notre Dame to its first national championship since 1988.
North Carolina Players On Notre Dame’s Roster
#14 Micah Gilbert (WR) | Freshman
Charlotte | Charlotte Christian
Has seen action in three games this season but has not yet recorded a stat. Was targeted twice in the Stanford game … Earned first-team all-state as a senior at Charlotte Christian … Finished his prep career with 2,200 receiving yards and 25 touchdowns… Earned four varsity letters in football.
#30 Bryce Young (DL) | Freshman
Charlotte | Charlotte Christian
Has been a contributor since the season opener against Texas A&M, including recording tackles in all three playoff wins as a back-up defensive end. Has recorded 22 tackles, 3 tackles-for-loss and 1.5 sacks for the year including four stops against Penn State in the semifinals and a sack against Indiana in round one … Lettered all four years at Charlotte Christian and earned all-conference and all-state as a senior. Was named an Adidas All-American in his final prep campaign, which included 97 tackles, 18 TFLs, 14 sacks, 12 QB hurries and two blocked kicks.
#38 Davis Sherwood (TE) | Senior
Greensboro | Good Council HS (Md.)
Has played in 52 games since joining the Irish as a walk-on in 2021-22, mostly in a special teams role and also as a fullback. Has started twice in his career. Caught a touchdown pass in 2023 and has completed two passes … Has one 19-yard reception this season … Played on three different prep school teams in Virginia, New Jersey and Maryland.
#72 Sam Pendleton (OL) | Sophomore
Lawsonville | Reagan HS
Started the first seven games of the season at left guard. Is listed as the back-up center on the depth chart heading into the title game … Rated a four-star recruit coming out of Reagan HS… Served as a team captain and played in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas as a senior at Reagan.
#75 Sullivan Absher (OL) | Sophomore
Belmont | South Point HS
Reserve offensive lineman has played on special teams in all three Notre Dame playoff games … Made his collegiate debut in 2023 as a reserve lineman in the Irish’s win over Oregon State in the Sun Bowl … Consensus four-star recruit from 247Sports, ESPN, On3 and Rivals … Two-time all-conference player at South Point, which finished 13-2 and made the state finals in his senior season.
#85 Jack Larsen (TE) | Freshman
Charlotte | Charlotte Catholic
Made his collegiate debut against Stanford in October. Also saw the field in a November win over Virginia. Has not recorded a stat thus far … Played and lettered all four years at Charlotte Catholic, garnering all-conference honors three times … Made 45 catches for 811 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior. Finish his prep career with 2,085 receiving yards on 117 receptions, with 27 TDs.
#98 Mitch Jeter (K) | Graduate
Salisbury | Cannon School | Univ. of South Carolina
Transferred to Notre Dame after four seasons with the Gamecocks. Has hit 13-of-20 in field goals with the Irish, including seven in the playoffs and both of his tries against Penn State … Has not missed in 53 PAT attempts this season … Is 130-of-133 on extra points for his career, with 36 made field goals … Played for the Cabarrus Warriors, the football team affiliated with Cannon School. Hit eight of 10 field goals for the Warriors, including a 57 yarder.
