The teams competing in the NFL conference championships include 10 players who previously played high school football in North Carolina.
The NFL’s conference championship games will occur later today, with each of the four teams having at least one player from a high school in North Carolina making a significant impact. In total, there are 10 players from North Carolina on the four rosters.
Baltimore Ravens from North Carolina high schools
53-Man Active Roster
#30 Trenton Simpson (Mallard Creek High School | Charlotte, N.C.)
- Position: LB
- Height: 6-3
- Weight: 240
- High School Class: 2020
- College: Clemson
- Draft Year: 2023
- Draft Pick: 86th (3rd round)
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Written by: The Baltimore Ravens
This season, Simpson has been a rookie player in a rotational position, making a total of 13 tackles, two of which were for a loss, and also recovering a fumble. At Mallard Creek, Simpson excelled in both offense and defense.
Practice Squad
None
Reserve/Injured
None
Reserve/Non-Football Injury
None
High school students from North Carolina who are members of the Detroit Lions.
53-Man Active Roster
Twelfth on the list is Hendon Hooker, who attends Dudley High School in Greensboro, North Carolina.
- Position: QB
- Height: 6-4
- Weight: 218
- High School Class: 2017
- College: Virginia Tech/Tennessee
- Draft Year: 2023
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Selection: 68th overall (3rd round)
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Authored By: The Detroit Lions
Hooker has bounced back from an ACL injury that sidelined him during the beginning of his first year in the league. He was considered uncertain for this week’s game after undergoing a tooth extraction due to a chipped tooth.
#54 Alim McNeill (Sanderson High School | Raleigh, N.C.)
- Position: NT
- Height: 6-2
- Weight: 330
- High School Class: 2018
- College: NC State
- Draft Year: 2021
- Draft Pick: 72nd (3rd Rd)
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Written by the Detroit Lions
The Sanderson company has been a dominant presence as the nose guard for the Lions, receiving a high PFF grade of 88.5 this year. McNeill may potentially receive a lucrative contract extension. The previous standout from NC State announced his commitment to the Wolfpack through a livestream from HighSchoolOT’s studio.
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- Position: DE
- Height: 6-4
- Weight: 255
- High School Class: 2012
- College: Notre Dame
- Draft Year: 2016
- Draft Pick: Undrafted
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Written by: Undrafted free agent agrees to join New York Giants.
Although Okwara has suffered from injuries, he has received a grade of 80.5 from PFF for his performance this season.
Player #99, Julian Okwara, attended Ardrey Kell High School in Charlotte, North Carolina.
- Position: OLB
- Height: 6-4
- Weight: 245
- High School Class: 2016
- College: Notre Dame
- Draft Year: 2020
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Selection in the draft: 67th overall (3rd round)
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Written By: Detroit Lions
This season, Okwara’s younger counterpart has received recognition for recording two sacks and a total of seven tackles.
Practice Squad
None
Reserve/Injured
#28 Zonovan Knight (Southern Nash High School | Stanhope, N.C.)
- Position: RB
- Height: 5-11
- Weight: 210
- High School Class: 2019
- College: NC State
- Draft Year: 2022
- Draft Pick: Undrafted
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Written by: Undrafted free agent who has signed with the New York Jets.
The Knight suffered a shoulder injury in October and was placed on IR.
#4 Emmanuel Moseley (Dudley High School | Greensboro, N.C.)
- Position: DB
- Height: 5-11
- Weight: 190
- High School Class: 2014
- College: Tennessee
- Draft Year: 2018
- Draft Pick: Undrafted
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This document was prepared by an undrafted free agent who has signed with the San Francisco 49ers.
Moseley suffered an ACL injury and was placed on IR on the same day as Knight.
Reserve/Non-Football Injury
None
The Kansas City Chiefs hail from high schools in North Carolina.
53-Man Active Roster
Revised: Joshua Williams, a student at Jack Britt High School in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
- Position: CB
- Height: 6-3
- Weight: 197
- High School Class: 2017
- College: Fayetteville State
- Draft Year: 2022
- Draft Pick: 135th (4th Rd)
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Written by: The Kansas City Chiefs
The selection of Jack Britt has been a successful choice for Kansas City on the third day of the draft. This season, he has earned a PFF grade of 73.0.
Practice Squad
Number 14, Cornell Powell, attended J.H. Rose High School in Greenville, North Carolina.
- Position: WR
- Height: 6-0
- Weight: 205
- High School Class: 2016
- College: Clemson
- Draft Year: 2021
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Selection in Draft: 181st pick (5th round)
- Drafted By: Kansas City Chiefs
Reserve/Injured
None
Reserve/Non-Football Injury
None
High school students from North Carolina who play for the San Francisco 49ers.
53-Man Active Roster
#98 Javon Hargrave (North Rowan High School | Spencer, N.C.)
- Position: DT
- Height: 6-2
- Weight: 305
- High School Class: 2012
- College: South Carolina State
- Draft Year: 2016
- Draft Pick: 89th (3rd Rd)
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Authored by: Pittsburgh Steelers
The 49ers signed a devoted fan of Bojangles to a lucrative four-year deal worth $81 million during the offseason. This season, he has a PFF rating of 73.9 and has recorded seven sacks.
Practice Squad
None
Reserve/Injured
None
Reserve/Non-Football Injury
None
Source: highschoolot.com