A second Rolesville High School football senior has joined the Mercer recruiting class.
Offensive lineman Gavin Marks committed to the FCS school in Macon, Ga., earlier this week. He made his announcement on social media. Marks joins Rolesville quarterback Braden Atkinson, who committed to the Bears program a few months ago.
Marks is a 6-2, 305-pounder who plays center for the Rams, one of the top 4A programs in the state. He made HighSchoolOT’s all-state team in 2023, earning honorable mention status.
Marks’ highlight reel from this season features an assortment of pancake blocks and dominating performances. Rolesville boasts a 7-1 record heading into this week’s games.
Marks reported more than 15 offers from Division I programs, mostly FCS. He took an official visit to Mercer in June. The Bears compete in the Southern Conference with schools like Western Carolina and Furman. In-state teams who offered Marks included North Carolina Central and Gardner-Webb. Other notable programs to offer include Air Force, Maryland, Charleston Southern, East Tennessee State, Hampton, Howard and Maine, according to 247Sports.
Trashawn Ruffin | North Duplin | DL | Commit: Texas A&M
Texas A&M coach Mike Elko spent a couple of seasons recruiting the state of North Carolina for the Duke Blue Devils before taking over in College Station in the off-season. Earlier this month, Elko received a verbal pledge from one of the Old North State’s top defensive linemen in the Class of 2026.
Ruffin (6-4, 320) is considered a four-star prospect. He held offers from North Carolina, Ohio State, Missouri, Southern Cal, Michigan, Texas, Georgia and Florida State, among others, according to 247Sports.
“They’re building something special,” Ruffin told GigEm247, an A&M recruiting Web site on why he made an early commitment to the Aggies. “I can’t wait to be a part of it.”
Ruffin was offered by A&M in August and attended a game against McNeese State in College Station. “My first experience at Texas A&M was the best college experience I’ve had yet, me and my pops absolutely loved it,” Ruffin told GigEm247.
According to HighSchoolOT, Ruffin does plan to listen to recruiting pitches from other schools despite being verbally committed to Texas A&M.
North Duplin is riding a 7-0 record at this point in the season. Ruffin has appeared in six games, and according to the team’s stats posted at MaxPreps, he has made 20 tackles with three tackles-for-loss and a fumble recovery.
Rafferty McSweeney | WR/DB | Avon Old Farms (CT) | Commit: Davidson
The 6-0, 190-pounder announced his commitment to the Wildcats on Oct. 24 via social media. Avon Old Farms competes in the Founders League, a highly competitive athletic conference for college prep schools.
McSweeney boasted offers from six division programs, including Army, Navy, Dartmouth, Marist and Lehigh.
McSweeney is the second player from Avon Old Farms to commit to a North Carolina college program. Athlete Owen Moreland pledged for Elon earlier this year.
Abraham Brown III | Sarasota, FL (Booker HS) | Gardner-Webb
The 5-11, 165-pounder plays defensive back and wide receiver. He picked the Bulldogs over UNC Pembroke, Western Kentucky, Ashland University and Albion College.
As a junior, Brown picked off three passes, blocked two field goals, scored one defensive touchdown, recovered two fumbles and made 24 solo tackles.
