Finalists chosen for Mr. Football, North Carolina’s top high school honor
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Charlotte Observer cut 12 semifinalists to three finalists for NC Mr. Football.
- Panel of sportswriters and coaches will select the winner on Dec. 10, 2025.
- Finalists include top recruits heading to P4 schools, driving college interest.
Last month, The Charlotte Observer named 12 semifinalists for the N.C. Mr. Football award, handed out annually to the top high school player in the state.
Today, that list is trimmed to three finalists.
The winner will be announced on Wednesday, Dec. 10, just before the NCHSAA state football championships begin.
Any player in North Carolina, in any grade, can win the award. The recipient is selected by a panel of current and former Observer sportswriters with input from current and former coaches, as well as members of the publication’s Talking Preps streaming show.
The Observer has handed out the award since the 2020 season. It has handed out the Mr. and Ms. NC Basketball awards since 1984.
The Mr. Football winner will receive a large banner to hang in his school’s gymnasium.
Here are this year’s Mr. Football finalists
AIDEN HARRIS, WEDDINGTON, DL, 6-4, 245, SR: Harris, a South Carolina recruit, is ranked no. 81 nationally and is a finalist for the second straight year. Heading into Thursday’s regional championship game at Grimsley, Harris had 83.5 tackles, 11 sacks, 18.5 tackles for a loss, plus 30 QB pressures. He is a three-time all-county and a three-time all-conference pick.
ZAID LOTT, PROVIDENCE DAY, QB, 6-4, 220, SR: Lott, the Big South conference player of the year, is a two-time all-state pick who led the Chargers to their fourth state championship in five seasons and a top 20 national ranking, the highest of any team in the Carolinas. The Syracuse recruit threw for 2,497 yards and 35 touchdowns, against four interceptions. He ran 101 times for 708 yards and 13 scores.
SAMARI MATTHEWS, HOUGH, DB, 6-0, 195, SR: Matthews signed with Texas this week and is ranked among the nation’s top 100 players and is a top 10 national recruit at cornerback. So far this season, he has had 37 tackles, nine pass breakups and three interceptions. Heading into next week’s state championship against Raleigh’s Millbrook High, Hough’s first appearance in the state final, teams have thrown passes in his direction just 15 times in 13 games.
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
