Ahead of the 2021 high school football season, MaxPreps is breaking down
the top senior prospects in the country state-by-state as rated by
247Sports. We continue the series with North Carolina, which opens play
Aug. 20.
The talent in the Tar Heel State is spread out evenly as two teams had multiple players on the list. Shelby features 6-foot-4 edge rusher Malaki Hamrick and 6-1, 280-pound defensive lineman Santana Hooper while Chambers (Charlotte) features 6-3 linebacker Torren Wright and 6-5 defensive end James Pearce.
Travis Shaw of Grimsley (Greensboro) is the state's top prospect as the 6-5, 310-pound defensive lineman is regarded as the nation's No. 6 overall prospect in the Class of 2022 and holds 27 offers.
By position, defensive lineman dominated the Top 25 with eight selections, followed by wide receivers (five), linebackers (four), defensive backs, running backs, defensive ends and athletes (two each) and a single offensive lineman and tight end. Destination points for these elite recruits are primarily North Carolina State (four) and North Carolina (three). As of Aug. 2, 15 of the 25 had committed to colleges.
Donovan Spellman, Clayton
File photo by Steven Worthy
6-5 | 310 | DL | Undecided
The No. 6 overall prospect nationally in the Class of 2022 recorded 84 tackles, 28 tackles for loss and four sacks last season. He holds 27 offers including his final four Clemson, Georgia, North Carolina and North Carolina A&T.
2. Jalon Walker | Salisbury
6-2 | 220 | LB | GeorgiaRacked up 97 tackles, 19 tackles for loss and eight sacks in 11 games last season. The No. 4 overall linebacker in the Class of 2022, the future Bulldog projects to be a second- to third-round draft pick.
3. Shaleak Knotts | Monroe
6-1 | 184 | WR | UndecidedMade an impact on both sides last season with 34 receptions for 607 yards and 7 touchdowns along with 55 tackles with three interceptions on defense. Holds 21 offers, but leaning toward Maryland, North Carolina or Tennessee.
4. Malaki Hamrick | Shelby
6-4 | 205 | OLB | North CarolinaA top 10 edge-rusher in the Class of 2022, according to 247Sports. He recorded 73 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and five sacks in nine games for the Golden Lions. Picked the Tar Heels over 16 other schools.
5. Omarion Hampton | Cleveland (Clayton)
6-0 | 215 | RB | North Carolina
Despite suffering a season-ending leg injury during the fifth game of his junior campaign, Hampton rushed for 685 yards and 13 touchdowns on 58 carries in over four games last season. Selected the Tar Heels over 21 additional offers.
5-9 | 203 | RB | North Carolina State
Top 15 running back prospect nationally has amassed 1,100 yards and 19 touchdowns over just 13 games across three seasons. Allen chose the Wolfpack on June 18 over 14 his other offers.
6-3 | 235 | LB | Virginia Tech
Made 61 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and forced five fumbles in eight games last season. Committed to Hokies on June 19 after receiving 16 other offers.
6-3 | 215 | LB | North Carolina State
Four-star will spend his senior year with Cougars after tallying 45 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and 10 sacks last year at A.L. Brown (Kannapolis, N.C.). Held nine other offers, including Kentucky, Michigan and West Virginia.
6-4 | 225 | TE | Undecided
Two-way star had 39 receptions for 669 yards with seven touchdowns, 26 carries for 157 yards and three more touchdowns. Defensively, he recorded 87 tackles and four sacks. Holds 17 offers, recently decommitting from Ohio State.
6-5 | 215 | WR | Virginia
Hauled in 35 receptions for 521 yards and five touchdowns, while picking off two passes on the defensive end over a condensed seven game junior season. Pledged to the Cavaliers over 17 additional offers.
6-6 | 240 | DE | North Carolina
Recorded 40 tackles, 16 tackles for loss and five sacks while also receiving a few snaps at tight end with three receptions for 20 yards and two touchdowns. Holds 18 offers, but committed to North Carolina on June 16.
6-1 | 290 | DL | Wisconsin
Piled up 58 tackles, 38 tackles for loss and a pair of sacks for the 8-1 Cougars as a junior. Committed to Wisconsin over Alabama, Auburn, Ohio State, Oregon and Penn State among his 33 offers.
6-1 | 280 | DL | Undecided
Accumulated 49 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, four sacks and two forced fumbles last season. Holds 16 offers including Auburn, Florida, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Oregon and Virginia Tech.
6-3 | 250 | DL | Wake Forest
Earned Big South co-Defensive Lineman of the Year honors in a shortened
spring season, finishing with 40 tackles, nine tackles for loss and six
sacks in seven games. Selected the Demon Deacons on July 21 over 22 additional offers.
5-10 | 165 | WR | Undecided
Versatile prospect caught 31 passes for 459 yards and five touchdowns, recorded 30 carries for 365 yards and three touchdowns along with one kick return touchdown and one punt return touchdown last year. Holds 14 offers.
5-11 | 174 | CB | North Carolina State commit
Primarily used on offense last season, Vick carried the ball 144 times for 1,072 yards and 15 touchdowns. Committed to the Wolfpack over offers from nine other programs including Duke, Syracuse and Wake Forest.
6-2 | 180 | WR | Undecided
Snagged 34 receptions for 638 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. Holds 15 offers, including Duke, Louisville, North Carolina State, Tennessee, Wake Forest and West Virginia.
6-5 | 220 | DE | Undecided
As a junior, Pearce had 47 tackles, 24 tackles for loss and 11 sacks. Holds 11 offers including Florida State, Michigan State, Oklahoma and South Carolina.
5-10 | 180 | CB | North Carolina State
Compiled 75 tackles, six tackles for loss, one interception and one forced fumble last season. Committed to North Carolina State on June 21 after receiving nine offers.
6-0 | 175 | ATH | Undecided
Grabbed 15 receptions for 345 yards and eight touchdowns in a shortened junior season. Holds 11 offers including Arizona State, Coastal Carolina, Fresno State, Utah and Washington State.
6-4 | 260 | OT | Charlotte
Regarded as the No. 57 offensive tackle prospect in the Class of 2022. Committed to Charlotte over offers from Akron, Appalachian State, Coastal Carolina, Illinois, Louisville and Virginia.
6-3 | 210 | DE | Appalachian State
Anchored the Comets defense with 75 tackles and 12.5 sacks to help team to the NCHSAA 3AA state semifinals. Received 13 offers including Boston College, Coastal Carolina, Liberty and Old Dominion.
6-6 | 185 | WR | Louisville
Recorded 33 receptions for 755 yards and 12 touchdowns in seven games last season. Morrow chose the Cardinals over offers from Miami, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Old Dominion and Virginia Tech.
5-10 | 180 | ATH | Undecided
Also a star on the basketball court, Ross made an impact at both wide receiver and corner in a shortened spring season. The three-star prospect holds a pair of offers from Kentucky and Tennessee.
6-3 | 239 | DL | Undecided
Logged 58 tackles, 38 tackles for loss and 12 sacks while forcing two fumbles as a junior. Holds six offers from Charlotte, Coastal Carolina, East Carolina, Liberty, Old Dominion and Virginia Tech.
