News Summary
The 2025 NFL Draft is approaching, showcasing North Carolina’s talented players. With notable prospects like Walker and Hampton, the Tar Heel State is a hub for future NFL stars. The excitement builds as fans anticipate their favorite players’ dreams coming true during this thrilling event broadcasted on major networks.
North Carolina Players Among Top Prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft
As the excitement builds for the 2025 NFL Draft, kicking off on April 24 at 8 p.m. and wrapping up on April 26, fans from North Carolina are buzzing with anticipation. This year, the spotlight shines brightly on an impressive lineup of talented players who call the Tar Heel State home. With many former high school stars showcasing their skills at the collegiate level, it’s clear that North Carolina is a hotbed for future football talent ready to make their mark in the NFL!
Top Talents Making Their Mark
HighSchoolOT, a trusted resource for high school sports, has put together a list of players from North Carolina who are eyeing a spot in the draft. These athletes have been ranked based on the NFL Mock Draft Database’s Consensus Big Board, which tracks the hottest prospects leading up to draft day. Let’s dive into some of these standout players who could see their dreams come true when their names are called!
Walker: Aiming for the Top
First up is Walker, an athletic tight end and edge rusher hailing from Salisbury. He’s projected to be selected in the top 10 picks, and it’s no surprise! Walker has proven himself time and again during his four years as a varsity contributor at both tight end and edge rusher. With scholarships from prestigious programs like Duke and North Carolina as a freshman, his talent has been recognized well before his college days. Becoming a First Team All-American and winning the Butkus Award in 2024 solidified his status as a player to watch!
Hampton: The Rushing Power
Next, we can’t ignore Omarion Hampton, a former varsity starter from Cleveland High School. Hampton has broken records during his time at UNC, accumulating an astounding 2,402 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns. Even after facing injuries, this two-time First Team All-American led the ACC in rushing and is now expected to be among the rare running backs selected in the first round. Talk about resilience!
Pearce and Revel Shine on Defense
Pearce had a stellar high school career, winning two state championships at Chambers and earning accolades as a two-time First Team All-SEC player. Leading the SEC in sacks has certainly placed him on numerous draft boards. On the other hand, Revel brings his own unique flair to the table. Although he faced a tough ACL injury, his impressive length and speed make him a noteworthy prospect who can’t be overlooked.
Nesbit and Vann: Rising Stars
Nesbit followed in his father’s footsteps by joining football later in life, yet he didn’t let that hinder his success. Achieving First Team All-ACC honors in 2023 speaks volumes about his determination. Meanwhile, Vann made a name for himself at Cary High School as a multi-sport athlete. He racked up 144 tackles and 20.5 sacks during his time at NC State, showing that he’s a force to be reckoned with.
More Local Stars with NFL Potential
There are several other names worth mentioning! Simpkins began at Hopewell High and later made waves at NC Central, while Stewart dominated at Winston-Salem Prep by rushing for over 2,000 yards. Tim Biggers, another multi-sport standout, made an impact on both lines and earned Honorable Mention All-ACC in 2024. Ritzie showcased his explosive athleticism at the NFL Scouting Combine, putting him on the draft map as well. And let’s not forget about White, a three-time NCISAA champion known for his versatility across different positions.
The Carolina Panthers’ Draft Plans
The Carolina Panthers have already made a splash by selecting Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan with the No. 8 overall pick. They also picked up UNC star Omarion Hampton as the No. 22 overall pick. With other UNC players like tight end Bryson Nesbit, defensive lineman Jahravee Ritzie, and others hoping to get drafted, it’s clear that North Carolina talent is on the rise.
As we count down to the start of the 2025 NFL Draft, fans will be glued to their screens, hoping to see their favorite players get the call they’ve been dreaming of! The draft will be broadcast across multiple networks, including ESPN and the NFL Network, so be sure not to miss a moment of this thrilling event!
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Additional Resources
- Fayetteville Observer: UNC Football NFL Draft Picks 2025
- Wikipedia: 2025 NFL Draft
- ESPN: Carolina Panthers 2025 NFL Draft Picks
- Google Search: North Carolina NFL Draft 2025
- The Oklahoman: 2025 NFL Draft Pick Tracker
- Google Scholar: NFL Draft 2025 Prospects Analysis
- NBC News: NFL Draft 2025 Live Updates
- Encyclopedia Britannica: 2025 NFL Draft
- HighSchoolOT: NC High School Alums in 2025 NFL Draft
- Google News: NC Players 2025 NFL Draft