USA TODAY Network sports writer Sammy Batten has produced a ranking of North Carolinas top college football prospects since 1994. Batten ranks the players based on many factors, including scholarship offers, conversations with recruiting analysts and football coaches, and his own observations after reviewing video of each prospect.
Included in this year's rankings is an in-depth look at each prospect where they rank in major networks, their statistics and honors, where their recruitment stands and Sammy's personal evaluation.
Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, which has postponed the North Carolina high school football season until next spring, some of these athletes have elected not to play as seniors. Instead, they will graduate from high school in December to get an early start on their college careers in January. We have indicated, where known, the players that are exercising that option in their individual bios.
The countdown of top in-state prospects will run in groups of 10 through Sunday. Here are Nos. 41-50:
41. TYMIR BROWN
Position: Cornerback
Height, weight: 6-0, 170
Hometown: Jacksonville
High school: Jacksonville
College choice: North Carolina
In the rankings
ESPN.com: 4 stars, No. 13 cornerback nationally, No. 204 in ESPN300 nationally.
Rivals.com: 3 stars, Unranked nationally.
247Sports.com: 3 stars, No. 42 athlete nationally.
Notes & numbers: A three-year varsity starter already who beat out an upperclassman as a freshman to land a job at cornerback. Brown made 33 tackles and an interception during his rookie campaign. Played offense and defense as a sophomore. Rushed 18 times for 111 yards and two touchdowns, while making four interceptions on defense. Returned two of those picks for scores. Became Jacksonvilles starting quarterback as a junior. Completed 30 of 100 passes for 635 yards and four touchdowns, and rushed 94 times for 713 yards and 11 scores. Was named to the Jacksonville Daily New All-Area squad as a junior. A 7.7 scorer in basketball as a junior. Has been timed at 11.04 seconds in the 100-meter dash.
Recruiting trail: An impressive list of schools, including Duke, Georgia Tech, N.C. State, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest and West Virginia, offered Brown scholarships. But it was the opportunity to learn the cornerback position under former NFL All-Pro Dre Bly at North Carolina that swayed him toward becoming a Tar Heel on March 17, 2020.
Sammy's take: Brown is a bit of a project because his experience at cornerback was limited during his junior season while he was playing quarterback in Jacksonvilles veer-option attack. But his athletic ability is clear. Hes a guy with speed, showed the ability to flip his hips as a ball carrier and is stronger than his size might indicate. Those will translate well when he becomes to being a full-time corner at UNC.
More: Tymir Brown highlight video
42. JALEEL DAVIS
Position: Offensive tackle
Height, weight: 6-6, 300
Hometown: Rockingham
High school: Richmond Senior
College choice: N.C. State
In the rankings
ESPN.com: 3 stars, No. 95 offensive tackle nationally.
Rivals.com: 3 stars, No. 54 offensive tackle nationally.
247Sports.com: 3 stars, No. 63 offensive tackle nationally.
Notes & numbers: A product of the 4-A powerhouse Richmond program, Davis was a key contributor to one of the states top offenses as a junior. The Raiders averaged 39.8 points and 224.8 yards rushing en route to a 13-1 finish. They scored 51 touchdowns on the ground to reach the state semifinals before falling to eventual champion Charlotte Vance. Davis earned first-team All-Sandhills 4-A Conference honors and was named to the All-East squad as selected by HighSchoolOT.com. Started on an 11-2 squad as a sophomore when he also earned All-Sandhills 4-A honors. Teammate of N.C. State receiver commit Jakolbe Baldwin.
Recruiting trail: Davis spent time at Tennessee, attending a Junior Day function there in January 2020. But hed already established a strong connection with N.C. State after participating in summer camp there in 2019. The Wolfpack offered a scholarship when he was on campus for a Junior Day in January, then on May 26 Davis decided to join Richmond wide receiver teammate Jakolbe Baldwin in States recruiting class.
Sammy's take: Davis has held his own against some of the best competition in our state, whether its in the Sandhills Conference or state playoffs. Hes long and lean physically doesnt look like he weighs 300 pounds. He gets off the ball fast, gets into the chest of defenders quickly and stays low as he drives them to the ground. The best thing about Davis is that hes equally effective blocking for the pass or run.
More: Jaleel Davis highlight video
43. NICHOLAS BARRETT
Position: Defensive tackle
Height, weight: 6-4, 320
Hometown: Goldsboro
High school: Eastern Wayne
College choice: South Carolina
In the rankings
ESPN.com: 3 stars, No. 40 defensive tackle nationally.
Rivals.com: 3 stars, Unranked nationally.
247Sports.com: 3 stars, No. 51 defensive tackle nationally.
Notes & numbers: Barrett was named the Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A Conference Defensive Player of the Year as a junior after collecting 70 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and 15 sacks. He had five tackles for loss and four sacks among his nine tackles in a late-season game against D.H. Conley. Also had three quarterback hurries in that game. Played in seven games for the Warriors as a freshman, making 12 tackles. Became a full-time starter as a sophomore when he had 32 tackles, six tackles for loss and two sacks. Has been timed at 5.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash. Earned an invitation to the Blue-Gray All-American game in January.
Recruiting trail: A big junior season put Barrett on the recruiting radar of schools such as Coastal Carolina, Duke, East Carolina, Mississippi, Penn State, Tennessee and Virginia, all of whom offered scholarships. But Will Muschamps reputation for developing defensive players drew Barrett to South Carolina, where he verbally committed on April 8, 2020.
Sammy's take: Barrett is a tall, powerful athlete who already has the size to handle the demands of FBS football. Hes an immovable force in the middle of the defensive front and consistently forces offenses to run away from him in high school. Beats double teams to blow up a lot of plays in the backfield. The Gamecocks pulled off a real recruiting coup in luring Barrett out of state.
More: Nicholas Barrett highlight video
44. AARON HALL
Position: Defensive end
Height, weight: 6-5, 220
Hometown: Durham
High school: Southern Durham
College choice: Duke
In the rankings
ESPN.com: 3 stars, No. 108 defensive end nationally.
Rivals.com: 3 stars, Unranked nationally.
247Sports.com: 3 stars, No. 37 weakside defensive end nationally.
Notes & numbers: One of the most productive years among defenders in the Research Triangle area as a junior. Recorded 97 tackles, 27.5 sacks in 11 games. Had a season-high 12 tackles twice. Posted four sacks in a single game against rival Hillside and had 3.5 sacks against Vance County. Also made 12 catches for 276 yards and four touchdowns as a wide receiver on offense. Selected first-team All-Big 8 4-A Conference for his efforts. Appeared in seven games for Southern Durham as a sophomore, making 21 tackles, seven tackles for loss and two sacks. Averaged 8.0 points and 6.2 rebounds in 22 basketball games as a junior.
Recruiting trail: After receiving his first scholarship offer from Duke in November 2019, Hall then had Arizona State, Syracuse, Virginia and Virginia Tech follow suit. He took an unofficial visit to Virginia in late November, but by Jan. 21, 2020, had decided to play for his hometown Blue Devils. Hall was the first member of Dukes recruiting Class of 2021.
Sammy's take: Its impressive to see a guy Halls size line up wide as a receiver in high school. Hes already a physical mismatch for most defensive backs, but then surprises them with his speed. And the body control he exhibits in making a one-handed grab on his highlight reel is equally impressive. Of course, hell need to add some significant weight before hes ready to step on the field and compete with the Blue Devils. But, in addition to his speed and quickness, I like the way Hall uses his hands and leverage to maneuver blockers out of position.
More: Aaron Hall highlight video
45. JACOB GILL
Position: Wide receiver
Height, weight: 6-0, 173
Hometown: Raleigh
High school: Cardinal Gibbons (Gill has opted to graduate early and skip his senior season)
College choice: Northwestern
In the rankings
ESPN.com: 3 stars, No. 161 wide receiver nationally.
Rivals.com: 3 stars, Unranked nationally.
247Sports.com: 3 stars, No. 153 wide receiver nationally.
Notes & numbers: After making three catches for 64 yards in two varsity games as a freshman, Gill blossomed into an All-Cap 7 4-A Conference performer as a sophomore. He corralled 74 catches for 1,170 yards and 18 touchdowns that season along with 204 yards on kickoff returns. Returned one kickoff 93 yards against Raleigh Athens Drive for a touchdown. Appeared in 15 games as a junior, making 64 catches for 794 yards and nine scores. Had seven receptions for 122 yards and a touchdown against Leesville Road. Produced 235 yards on six kickoff returns.
Recruiting trail: Gill seemed headed for a college career with his hometown N.C. State squad. The Wolfpack was the first to offer in January 2019 and he made several unofficial visits to the State campus over the last year. But when Northwestern stepped in with an offer in June 2020, the Wildcats jumped ahead of the pack and claimed his commitment on July 8.
Sammy's take: Long arms, good hands, the ability to change directions on a dime and sharp route-running make Gill a consistent threat in the passing game. He doesnt blow you away with any one skill, but is just really good at them all. Gill has a lot of shake-and-bake in him, too, which allows him to make extra yards after the catch.
More: Jacob Gill highlight video
46. ISAIAH POTTS
Position: Defensive tackle
Height, weight: 6-2, 290
Hometown: Fayetteville
High school: Pine Forest
College choice: Undecided.
In the rankings
ESPN.com: Unranked.
Rivals.com: Unranked.
247Sports.com: Unranked.
Notes & numbers: Potts established himself as one of the top defenders in the Cape Fear region as a freshman and sophomore at Pine Forest. He registered 68 tackles, seven tackles for loss and four sacks in 11 games as a varsity rookie in 2017, then produced 94 tackles, 19 tackles for loss and six sacks in 12 outings in 2018. ... The latter earned him a place on the All-Patriot Athletic 4-A/3-A Conference second team and a berth on the Best of 910Preps All-Area squad as selected by The Fayetteville Observer. ...A desire to improve his recruiting stock led Potts to The Peddie School in Highstown, New Jersey, last fall, where he reclassified academically as a sophomore. Helped Peddie to an 8-0 finish and the Mid-Atlantic Prep League championship before deciding to return to Pine Forest in January. Returned to original class and is a senior this year.
Recruiting trail: The year away from Pine Forest didnt really help Potts that much on the recruiting front, so hes been playing catch-up since returning to Fayetteville. Missing out on summer camps and combines have hurt, but he still holds FBS offers from Central Michigan, Charlotte, Coastal Carolina, Temple and Vanderbilt.
Sammy's take: Potts is quick off the ball and has the lateral movement to run down plays from behind. Hes a tad shorter than the prototypical defensive tackle, but makes up for it with a hearty work ethic and aggressive nature. Potts is also versatile enough to play any position on the front line, depending on the defensive alignment.
More: Isaiah Potts highlight video
47. MICHAEL GONZALEZ
Position: Offensive guard
Height, weight: 6-4, 280
Hometown: Monroe
High school: Sun Valley
College choice: Louisville
In the rankings
ESPN.com: 4 stars, No. 19 offensive guard nationally.
Rivals.com: 3 stars, No. 58 offensive tackle nationally.
247Sports.com: 3 stars, No. 49 offensive guard nationally.
Notes & numbers: A two-year starter for Sun Valley, including a sophomore season in which he helped protect North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell. Howell passed for 3,240 yards and 36 touchdowns as Sun Valley went 10-3 that season. Gonzalez has played guard and tackle for the Spartans. He earned All-Southern Carolina 3-A Conference and All-State honors from MaxPreps as a junior. Also a prep teammate of UNC wide receiver commit Gavin Blackwell.
Recruiting trail: No doubt former N.C. State offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford had a hand in enticing Gonzalez to Louisville, where he committed on June 18, 2020. Ledford, the offensive coordinator now for the Cardinals, helped secure Gonzalez over a list of finalists that included Duke, N.C. State, Wake Forest and Virginia Tech.
Originally posted here:
North Carolinas top football prospects for 2021: 41-50 - The Topsail Advertiser
