2025 Mr. NC football semifinalists: Meet the state’s top high school football stars
For the sixth straight year, The Charlotte Observer will name the top high school football player in North Carolina.
The Mr. NC Football award, which will be announced in December, is picked by a l panel of media and high school football experts, including current and former coaches.
Here are this year’s semifinalists.
Later this month, this list will be trimmed to a group of finalists.
TYREEK COPPER, KINSTON, WR, 6-2, 180, SR: Copper, an NC State recruit, leads NC with 1,677 yards receiving and 24 TDs on 77 catches.
JAXON DOLLAR, EAST LINCOLN, TE, 6-5, 222, JR: Dollar, a Notre Dame recruit, is ranked No. 57 in the junior class nationally. He has 42 catches for 1,001 yards and 18 TDs. On defense, has 34 tackles and 12 TFL and five sacks.
RODNEY DUNHAM, MYERS PARK, DL, 6-4, 225, SR: Dunham, a Notre Dame recruit, has 42 tackles, 13 tackles for a loss, plus eight sacks and a fumble recovery. He’s ranked as the No. 2 senior in North Carolina, behind 2024 Mr. Football winner Faizon Brandon of Grimsley, a Tennessee recruit who has missed much of the ‘25 season due to injury. Dunham is the No. 15 ranked player in America in the senior class.
JJ GULAT, DIXON, RB, 5-9, 185, SR: Dixon, who had more than 400 yards rushing and seven touchdowns in a playoff game Friday, ranks No. 4 in America with 3,138 yards rushing on 319 carries (9.8 per attempt). He’s scored 40 touchdowns.
AIDEN HARRIS, WEDDINGTON, DL, 6-4, 245, SR: Harris, a South Carolina recruit, is ranked no. 81 nationally among seniors. This season, he has 62.5 tackles, 14.5 tackles for a loss, plus 24 QB pressures, three passes defended and seven sacks. He is The Charlotte Observer’s 2024 defensive player of the year.
ELY HAMRICK, CREST, QB, 6-5, 220, SR: Hamrick has completed 123 of 174 passes for 1,974 yards and 20 touchdowns with just two interceptions. He’s rushed 72 times for 449 yards and 14 scores.
KENDRE HARRISON, REIDSVILLE, TE, 6-7, 243, SR: Harrison, an Oregon recruit, has caught 43 passes for 655 yards and 16 TDs. Harrison, a football and basketball star, was MaxPreps’ 2023-24 male athlete of the year nationally.
GRANT LAWLESS, EAST LINCOLN, QB, 6-3, 195, SR: Lawless, a Wake Forest recruit, has completed 138 of 211 passes for 2,506 yards and 31 touchdowns. He has four interceptions. He’s also rushed 72 times for 374 yards and 11 TDs.
ZAID LOTT, PROVIDENCE DAY, QB, 6-4, 220, SR: A Syracuse recruit, Lott has completed 157 of 237 attempts for 2,068 yards and 27 TDs against three interceptions. He’s rushed 82 times for 589 yards and 11 TDs for a team that’s ranked in the top 20 nationally.
SAMARI MATTHEWS, HOUGH, DB, 6-0, 195, SR: Nicknamed “Smoke,” Matthews has 26 tackles, two interceptions, three passes defended and two fumble recoveries. Many teams will not throw at him. Matthews, ranked No. 125 nationally, is a Texas recruit.
JAMOURI NICHOLS, WEST CHARLOTTE, QB, 5-11, 175, JR: Nichols has completed 123 of 186 passes for 1,723 yards and 19 TDs against two interceptions. He’s rushed 62 for 446 and nine scores for a West Charlotte team that is ranked nationally and is reigning N.C. 3A state champ.
EKENE OGBOKO, SOUTH GARNER, DL, 6-6, 305, SR: Ogboko, a Georgia recruit, has 52 tackles, including 45 solos. He’s also got 23 tackles for a loss, six QB hurries and two sacks. He’s ranked No. 42 nationally in the senior class.
Previous winners
2020: Henry Rutledge, Charlotte Christian
Spring 2021: Daylan Smothers, Chambers
Fall 2021: Omarion Hampton, Cleveland
2022: Jadyn Davis, Providence Day
2023: Jaydn Davis, Providence Day
2024: Faizon Brandon, Grimsley
