🏔️ Jaelin Willis’ football career continues to climb mountains, literally and figuratively.
The former Lenoir-Rhyne standout linebacker announced Thursday that he has committed to Appalachian State for the 2025 season.
The rising senior from Fort Myers, Fla., started his college career at Keiser University, an NAIA school in his home state. He then followed coach Doug Socha to Lenoir-Rhyne last season, earning all-conference honors for the Division II Bears.
Now, Willis is primed to join Appalachian State at the highest level of Division I football. The Mountaineers play in one of the most dynamic Group of Five conferences, the Sun Belt. Dowell Loggains took over as head coach of the ASU program in December.
Willis (6-0, 205) had a huge season for Lenoir-Rhyne in 2024, helping the Bears win 10 games and advance to the second round of the D2 playoffs. He earned All-Piedmont honors in the South Atlantic Conference, piling up 90 tackles and 12 tackles-for-loss. Willis picked off two passes and made two sacks.
Willis saved some of his best work for the playoffs. He made 10 stops against West Alabama in the opener, a comeback win, He then had 13 tackles, including nine solos, in round two against Virginia Union, a loss.
Willis won an NAIA national championship with Keiser in 2023. He earned Sun Conference linebacker of the year honors that same season and was named second-team NAIA All-American by the American Football Coaches Association. The AP voted him second-team All-American in 2022.
Willis made 246 tackles in three seasons at Keiser and recorded 26.5 tackles-for-loss. He picked off five passes and forced 14 fumbles.
🐦Rolesville WR Gavin Waddell will fly with Louisville
An all-state wide receiver from the reigning NCHSAA 4A East Region champions will join the ACC in 2026 – though for an out-of-state program. Rolesville wideout Gavin Waddell, a rising senior, committed to Louisville and coach Jeff Brohm on Thursday.
Waddell was named all-state by HighSchoolOT in 2024 after helping Rolesville win the 4A East and advance to the state title game (lost to Grimsley). Waddell made 67 catches for 1,035 yards and 12 touchdowns on the season.
For his career, Waddell has played in 29 varsity games, made 134 catches, covered 2,040 yards in receptions and earned 21 touchdowns. He’s been all-conference twice.
Waddell took a visit to Louisville, which played in the 2023 ACC title game, earlier this week, according to his social media.
He is considered a three-star prospect by 247Sports and ranked the No. 34 prospect from North Carolina in the 2026 class.
His offer sheet included more than 20 D1 schools, per 247Sports. He had in-state offers from Appalachian State, Campbell, Charlotte, East Carolina, Elon and Gardner-Webb. His out-of-state list included Miami, Maryland, Coastal Carolina and James Madison.
⛏️ Charlotte picks up second 2026 commit: OL Jake Allen
Charlotte has added another piece to its 2026 high school class with the commitment of interior offensive lineman Jake Allen from Jackson High School in Jackson, Ohio.
Allen joins Maximus Jansenvanvuren from Waterford, Mich. as the first two official commits of Tim Albin’s first recruiting class as Charlotte’s head coach. Albin directed the Ohio University program before taking the Charlotte job, so he is familiar with recruiting the fertile midwest.
Allen was second-team All-Ohio this past high school season. He also made all-state as a sophomore.
Allen (6-3 | 280) had an offer from Albin’s former team Ohio, as well as Appalachian State, Akron, Army, Eastern Kentucky, Kent State, Navy and Toledo, per 247Sports.
I would like to first thank my lord and savior, Jesus Christ, for giving me the opportunity to play football at the next level. I am very proud to announce that I have committed to @CharlotteFTBL ⛏️@CoachAlbin @arudolph53 @CoachClay_CLT @ironmenfb pic.twitter.com/ILitbFfPD3 — Jake Allen (@JakeAllen2026) April 1, 2025
🗂️ More 2026 Recruiting Coverage
Want to see where other Class of 2026 high school players from North Carolina are headed? 📊 View our 2026 NC Commit Tracker
