Charlotte high schools rank top 5 for most NFL players on kickoff weekend rosters
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Former North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye was drafted No. 3 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. Photo: Carmen Mandato/Getty Images
Charlotte high schools produced 14 players on Week 1 NFL rosters, according to the league. That's up from 10 players last season and makes Charlotte the city that put out the fifth-most Week 1 NFL players from any across in the nation.
Why it matters: The statistics speak to the caliber and competitiveness of high school football programs throughout Charlotte. Players who competed in high school football here have gone on to win the Super Bowl.
State of play: Mallard Creek High accounted for three players — the most of any Charlotte school — followed by West Mecklenburg High with two.
Between the lines: Players who attended a high school in the city of Charlotte make up the 14 players on the list. Others outside the city limits but within the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School district are not included.
- There were 11 Charlotte high schools in total, which include both public and private schools.
Here are the NFL players who attended high schools in the Charlotte area who were on week one rosters for the 2025 NFL season.
Editor's note: Players are listed alphabetically by school.
Charlotte schools
Ardrey Kell: Cedric Gray | Tennessee Titans linebacker
Chambers: James Pearce Jr. | Atlanta Falcons defensive end
Charlotte Christian: Garrett Bradbury | New England Patriots center
Charlotte Latin: Daniel Jones | Indianapolis Colts quarterback
Harding: Jovaughn Gwyn | Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman
Mallard Creek: Jordan Davis | Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle
Mallard Creek: D.J. Humphries | Los Angeles Rams tackle
Mallard Creek: Trenton Simpson | Baltimore Ravens linebacker
Myers Park: Drake Maye | New England Patriots quarterback
Olympic: Torricelli Simpkins | New Orleans Saints guard
Providence Day: Ikem Ekwonu | Carolina Panthers left tackle
West Charlotte: Devontez Walker | Baltimore Ravens wide receiver
West Mecklenburg: Dyami Brown | Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver
West Mecklenburg: Delmar "DJ" Glaze | Las Vegas Raiders tackle
Charlotte-area schools
Ashbrook: British Brooks | Houston Texans running back
Butler: Kendall Lamm | Miami Dolphins tackle
Indian Land: Dorian Williams | Buffalo Bills linebacker
North Mecklenburg: Emanuel Wilson | Green Bay Packers running back
Northwest Cabarrus: Bradley Pinion | Atlanta Falcons punter
Northwestern: Mason Rudolph | Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback
Rock Hill: Derion Kendrick | Seattle Seahawks cornerback
- Robbie Ouzts | Seattle Seahawks running back
Rocky River: Jaire Alexander | Baltimore Ravens cornerback
Salisbury: Jalon Walker | Atlanta Falcons linebacker
South Pointe: Nick McCloud | Chicago Bears cornerback
Statesville: Brock Hoffman | Dallas Cowboys center
Sun Valley: Sam Howell | Philadelphia Eagles quarterback
Weddington: Will Shipley | Philadelphia Eagles running back
The intrigue: Rock Hill calls itself "Football City USA" for generating, relative to its population, a large number of high school football players who go on to play in the NFL.
See the full list: 2025 Kickoff Weekend Rosters