Who’s the best high school football player in the state. Meet the nominees for Mr. Football
Here is the preseason Watchlist for N.C. Mr. Football, the state’s top high school football award.
Later this year, The Charlotte Observer and News & Observer of Raleigh will announce the award on The Talking Preps Streaming Show.
During the season, the nominees will be updated on the show, which airs Tuesday, ultimately coming down to three finalists.
Note: players not on our preseason Watchlist can join the list as the weeks roll on.
2023 Preseason Mr. NC Football Nominees
| Name | School | Class | Pos. |
| Bryce Baker | East Forsyth | Jr. | QB |
| Ben Black | Mallard Creek | Sr. | ATH |
| Christopher Daley II | East Lincoln | Jr. | RB |
| Jadyn Davis | Providence Day | Sr. | QB |
| Mason Fortune | Millbrook | Sr. | QB |
| Micah Gilbert | Charlotte Christian | Sr. | WR |
| Max Guest | AC Reynolds | Jr. | RB |
| Cayden Jones | Christ School | Sr. | LB |
| Isiah Jones | Rolesville | Sr. | RB |
| Jack Larsen | Charlotte Catholic | Sr. | TE |
| Zach Lawrence | Butler | Jr. | QB |
| Justin Little | Independence | Jr. | QB |
| Ben Mauney | Burns | Sr. | QB |
| Jonathan Paylor | Cummings | Sr. | ATH |
| Jordan Shipp | Providence Day | Sr. | WR |
| Jaden Smith | West Charlotte | Sr. | LB |
| Alex Taylor | Grimsley | Sr. | WR |
| Amaris Williams | Clinton | Sr. | DL |
| Jordan Young | Monroe | Jr. | ATH |
| Malcolm Ziglar | Fuquay-Varina | Sr. | DB |
Langston Wertz Jr.
The Charlotte Observer