The 2024 NFL Draft begins on Thursday, April 25 at 8 p.m. and will conclude on Saturday, April 27.

North Carolina is home to numerous players are who are expected to have their names called during draft weekend. Each year, HighSchoolOT puts together a list of the former Friday night lights stars from the Tar Heel State that have a good chance of being drafted.

Here are the former high school football players from North Carolina that could be drafted, in order of where they rank in NFL Mock Draft Database’s Consensus Big Board.

No. 2 | Drake Maye, Myers Park HS (Charlotte)

• Position: QB
• College: UNC
• Height: 6-4
• Weight: 223
• HS Class: 2021

The former University of North Carolina quarterback is widely viewed as having franchise leader upside. Maye had a big second season as the program’s starter last fall. The Myers Park High School alum completed 269 of 426 passing attempts (63.1%) for 3,608 yards, 24 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. He also rushed for 449 yards and nine touchdowns on 112 attempts. He was Second Team All-ACC. At Myers Park, Maye threw for 6,713 yards and 86 touchdowns in just two seasons as the Mustangs’ starter. He also scored 693 points in two years on the varsity basketball team. He is expected to go in the top five picks.

No. 43 | Payton Wilson, Orange HS (Hillsborough)

• Position: LB
• College: NC State
• Height: 6-4
• Weight: 233
• HS Class: 2018

NC State’s giant linebacker Payton Wilson was an instant legend to Wolfpack fans. He originally committed to UNC before flipping to NCSU. He became the program’s best defensive player despite facing injury problems early. The Orange High School alum wrapped up his prolific career by finishing as a First Team All-ACC selection. Wilson recorded 138 total tackles, 17.5 tackles for a loss, six sacks, three interceptions, nine pass breakups, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries. He was PPF’s No. 5 linebacker in the country, finishing with a grade of 88.9. Wilson is an incredible athlete who made headlines at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine with his 4.43 40-yard dash. Wilson’s Relative Athletic Score of 9.88 out of 10 makes him the 35th most athletic linebacker prospect since 1987.

No. 73 | Jaylen Wright, Southern Durham HS

• Position: RB
• College: Tennessee
• Height: 5-10.5
• Weight: 210
• HS Class: 2021

A Southern Durham High School alum could be another one of the first running backs drafted in 2024. Jaylen Wright, a super-speedster from the University of Tennessee has flown up draft boards during this year’s cycle. He was Pro Football Focus’ top-graded rusher among all SEC schools (91.0 grade) and set a school record for shortest time to 1,000 rushing yards in a season. He exceeded 22 miles per hour on breakaway rushes. Wright tested exceptionally well at the NFL Combine and earned a 9.81 out of 10 Relative Athletic Score, which makes him the No. 38 most athletic running back prospect since 1987.

No. 80 | Tez Walker, West Charlotte HS

• Position: WR
• College: UNC
• Height: 6-1.5
• Weight: 193
• HS Class: 2020

In his short time playing for UNC, wide receiver Devontez Walker showed a lot to NFL teams. Walker managed to track in 35 receptions for 656 yards and seven touchdowns in seven games after the NCAA granted him eligibility. With a 4.36 40-yard dash, the West Charlotte High School graduate is considered one of the best vertical threats in this year’s class and will get an opportunity from an NFL team to do just that in its offense. Prior to UNC, Walker had 63 receptions for 1,045 yards and 12 touchdowns in two years at Kent State.

No. 95 | Cedric Gray, Ardrey Kell HS (Charlotte)

• Position: LB
• College: UNC
• Height: 6-1.5
• Weight: 234
• HS Class: 2020

North Carolina is home to another one of this draft’s top linebacker prospects. Former Ardrey Kell High School standout Cedric Gray looks like he will be a day two pick. Gray had an awesome career for UNC. In 2023, he was named First Team All-ACC after racking up 121 total tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, five sacks, one interception, five pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.

No. 124 | Will Shipley, Weddington HS (Matthews)

• Position: RB
• College: Clemson
• Height: 5-11
• Weight: 206
• HS Class: 2021

A former dual-sport standout and state champion could be one of the first running backs taken this year. Will Shipley, from Weddington High School, declared for the draft after he racked up 3,350 yards from scrimmage and 33 total touchdowns over three seasons at Clemon University. His athleticism is what stands out. Shipley scored a 9.58 out of 10 Relative Athletic Score thanks to his great pro day testing in the speed, explosion, and agility drills.

No. 141 | Malik Mustapha, Weddington HS (Matthews)

• Position: SAF
• College: Wake Forest
• Height: 5-10
• Weight: 209
• HS Class: 2021

Weddington High School alum Malik Mustapha has turned heads as a very athletic safety prospect, scoring a 9.38 out of 10 Relative Athletic Score. Mustapha was named Second Team All-ACC as a safety in 2023. He was a team captain for Wake Forest University. The safety finished the season with 67 total tackles, five tackles for a loss, a half sack, one interception, three pass breakups, and one forced fumble. In two years on Weddington’s varsity team, Mustapha recorded 132 total tackles, 13 tackles for a loss, one sack, and eight interceptions.

Both Shipley and Mustapha made plays in Weddington’s 2019 3AA championship victory:

No. 154 | Delmar Glaze, West Mecklenburg HS (Charlotte)

• Position: OT
• College: Maryland
• Height: 6-4
• Weight: 315
• HS Class: 2020

Glaze was not a heralded prospect out of West Mecklenburg. He was ranked as the No. 63 prospect in North Carolina’s 2020 class by 247Sports. He got in to Maryland University and steadily became one of the Big-12’s best tackles and made third team all-conference.

No. 198 | Joshua Karty, Western Alamance HS (Elon)

• Position: K
• College: Stanford
• Height: 6-2
• Weight: 207
• HS Class: 2020

The 2024 NFL Draft’s consensus top kicker is Western Alamance High School graduate Josh Karty. It is rare for kickers to get drafted, but Karty is well positioned to hear his name called. At Stanford University, Karty was a two-time First Team All PAC-12 selection. Last season, Karty made 23-of-27 field goal attempts with a long of 56 yards. At Western Alamance, Karty made 32 field goals and 137 PATs in his career.

No. 230 | Sam Hartman, Davidson Day

• Position: QB
• College: Notre Dame
• Height: 6-1
• Weight: 211
• HS Class: 2018

Sam Hartman did not graduate from a North Carolina high school, but he is from this state. Hartman started at quarterback on Davidson Day’s varsity team in 2015 and 2016. In those two years, he threw for 6,388 yards and 69 touchdowns. Hartman finished his high school years at Oceanside Collegiate Academy in South Carolina and enrolled at Wake Forest University. He started at Wake Forest for five seasons and transferred to the University of Notre Dame last year. He threw for 15,656 yards over his six years in college.

No. 264 | Myles Murphy, Dudley (Greensboro)

• Position: DT
• College: UNC
• Height: 6-4
• Weight: 309
• HS Class: 2020

A Dudley High School alum has NFL teams intrigued despite not putting up huge numbers with the Tar Heels. He appears to have the physical tools within his 6-foot-4, 312-pound frame that NFL coaches want to work with. In the fall, the former 4-star started all 13 games for the Tar Heels last fall and was named Honorable Mention All-ACC after compiling 24 total tackles, one sack, 4.5 tackles for a loss, and a fumble recovery.

No. 274 | Jacob Monk, Corinth Holders (Archer Lodge)

• Position: C
• College: Duke
• Height: 6-3
• Weight: 309
• HS Class: 2019

At Duke University, the interior offensive lineman was a two-year captain and was named First Team All-ACC as a guard in 2023. He projects as a center in the NFL. Monk is going to be drafted thanks to his athletic upside. His Relative Athletic Score of 9.63 is the 23rd best of any center prospect since 1987.

No. 398 | Shyheim Battle, Rocky Mount HS

• Position: CB
• College: NC State
• Height: 6-2
• Weight: 195
• HS Class: 2019

Battle was a four-year starter for NC State and is one of the tallest corners in the class. He had seven career interceptions with the Wolfpack.

No. 406 | Trent Pennix, Sanderson HS (Raleigh)

• Position: TE
• College: NC State
• Height: 6-1
• Weight: 234
• HS Class: 2018

Pennix played a variety of positions at Sanderson and continued to be a versatile player at NC State. In his six-year career, Pennix had 712 receiving yards, 96 rushing yards, and 12 total touchdowns from scrimmage.

No. 434 | Devin Carter, Clayton HS

• Position: WR
• College: West Virginia
• Height: 6-3
• Weight: 207
• HS Class: 2018

A former NC State wide receiver, Carter recorded 27 receptions for 501 yards and two touchdowns in 2023.

No. 494 | Al Walcott, Laney HS (Wilmington)

• Position: SAF
• College: Arkansas
• Height: 6-1
• Weight: 197
• HS Class: 2019

Alfahiym Walcott, a former Laney High standout and player at Baylor University, had a good season at Arkansans in 2023. Walcott had 56 total tackles, five pass breakups, three interceptions, and one interception returned for a touchdown. He was PFF’s highest graded SEC defender in week 12 with a grade of 90.5.

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Other former North Carolina high school football players that declared for the draft

These players are not currently listed in the NFL Mock Draft Database’s 2024 Consensus Big Board, but they have declared for the draft and could be signed as a free agent after the event. Is there anyone else from North Carolina declared for the draft? Please let me know if I’m missing anyone at [email protected].

• Tyreek Funderburk from Metrolina Christian Academy’s four interceptions with App State were good for top 10 nationally (tied). He also had 46 total tackles and 2.5 tackles for a loss.
• Trinity Christian’s Tre’Von Jones was a graduate transfer at Minnesota in 2023 and finished second on the team with 53 total tackles as a defensive back. He broke up eight passes and recorded two interceptions.
• Lee Kpogba from Parkland High School finished with 97 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for a loss, three sacks, and a forced fumble in his senior season at West Virginia. He was named to the Honorable Mention All-Big 12 team. He helped West Virginia University to a victory over North Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl.
• Malachi Ruffin also declared for the draft after a good final season at West Virginia. The Nash Central alum had 37 total tackles and one interception as a defensive back. Ruffin allowed a completion percentage of 42.5%.
• R.J. Reynolds alum Jamoi Hodge made the Honorable Mention All-Big 12 team for the second straight year. The TCU linebacker was credited with 83 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for a loss, three sacks, and two pass breakups in 2023.
• Mallard Creek’s Jacob Roberts stood out in his first and only season at Wake Forest. After starting his career at NC A&T, Roberts was second on the Demon Deacons with 83 total tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, six sacks, two forced fumbles, and one pass breakup.
• Florida State offensive guard D’mitri Emmanuel was named First Team All-ACC for his performance in 2023. The Marvin Ridge alum was Third Team the season before. He was PFF’s third highest graded pass blocker in the country on championship weekend.
• Clayton alum Savion Jackson, an NC State defensive lineman, declared for the draft. Jackson was ranked as the No. 50 overall prospect in the class of 2019 by ESPN. 5-foot-8 defensive back Isaac Duffy-Webb from Clayton/the University of Albany also declared for the draft.

Source: highschoolot.com