Ki’anthony Cotton is a defensive back prospect from West Charlotte High School in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County.

• Positions: DB
• Height: 5’9
• Weight: 180
• Graduating Class: 2026

Latest Update

Apr. 2, 10:33 a.m. – Cotton announced his top six schools on April 1st. No April Fool’s here: The state of North Carolina has done a great job recruiting this in-state talent. Of Cotton’s top six schools, Duke, East Carolina, NC State, and Wake Forest all made it. Kentucky and Miami also made the cut.

Career Timeline

• 2022-23 football season: As a freshman, Cotton was a part of West Charlotte’s varsity football team. Cotton completed 51.2% of his passes and proved to be an effective runner. West Charlotte finished with a 7-6 overall record and lost in the third round of the NCHSAA 3A West playoffs at Kings Mountain.
• 2023-24 football season: The athlete continued to play quarterback for the Lions and played well in his snaps on defense as well. West Charlotte improved in Cotton’s sophomore year, finishing with a 9-4 overall record after losing in the third round of the 3A West playoffs at Crest.
• 2024-25 football season: Cotton was a major part of West Charlotte’s 3A state campionship win in 2024. He contributed 696 yards from scrimmage and 20 touchdowns on offense while making 77 tackles, a sack, five interceptions (two were returned for touchdowns), six pass breakups, and a fumble recovery.
• 2024-25 football season: For his performance a as junior, Cotton was selected to the 2024 HighSchoolOT All-State Football Team as a First Team two-way selection.
• 2024-25 football season: For his performance as a junior, Cotton was selected to the 2024 HighSchoolOT 704 All-Region Team as a First Team athlete.

Recruiting Timeline

• May 26, 2023: Received a verbal scholarship offer from Middle Tennessee State University
• Dec. 14, 2023: Received an offer from Virginia Polytechnic and State University
• Jan. 22, 2024: Received an offer from Troy University
• Jan. 26, 2024: Received an offer from East Carolina University
• Feb. 1, 2024: Received an offer from Temple University
• Apr. 4, 2024: Received an offer from Wake Forest University
• Apr. 24, 2024: Received an offer from the University of Miami
• May 10, 2024: Received an offer from the University of Mississippi
• May 13, 2024: Received an offer from West Virginia University
• May 17, 2024: Received an offer from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte
• July 5, 2024: Received an offer from Miami University of Ohio
• July 5, 2024: Received an offer from Marshall University
• Nov. 24, 2024: Received an offer from Duke University
• Jan. 23, 2025: Received an offer from NC State University
• Jan. 30, 2025: Received an offer from Indiana University
• Apr. 1, 2025: Announced his top six schools of Duke, East Carolina, Kentucky, Miami, NC State, and Wake Forest