Here's a list of Cape Fear region high school graduates who are playing for Football Bowl Subdivision programs in 2018. Each player's name, position, class, college and region high school are listed below along with a brief description of their college careers to date.
LAYTON BARBER, OL, Sophomore, North Carolina (Pinecrest) – Walk-on blocker who saw his first collegiate action last season in the win against Western Carolina. Will work in a reserve role at tackle this season.
KYLE CORBETT, PK, Sophomore, Charlotte (Pinecrest) – Saw action in 2017 as a placekicker and on kickoffs for the 49ers. Connected on five of six point-after kicks, but missed his only field goal try. Averaged 61.8 yards on eight kickoffs.
BRANDON COUNCIL, OL, Sophomore, Arkon (West Bladen) – Appeared in 10 games and made nine starts at left guard for the Mid-American Conference club last season. Was named most improved on offense during spring practice.
JEREMY COX, RB, Senior, Old Dominion (South View) – Has racked up 1,722 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns in three seasons with the Monarchs. Rushed for 621 yards and made nine starts in 2017 before suffering a season-ending injury. Should be ODU's main rusher in 2018.
JAYLIN DICKERSON, S, Redshirt freshman, South Carolina (Pinecrest) – A shoulder injury suffered during his first spring practice with the Gamecocks required surgery and sidelined him all last season. But now fully recovered, he should challenge for playing time and maybe even a starting job in 2018.
TOBIAS EDGE-CAMPBELL, OL, Senior, Appalachian State (Hoke County) – A veteran lineman who has filled in at center and guard for the Mountaineers for three seasons. Has appeared 25 career games and made six starts, including four in 2017.
MIKE EDWARDS, OL, Freshman, Wake Forest (South View) – An All-Cape Fear region selection as a senior at South View last year, Edwards joins a veteran offensive line corps at Wake Forest in 2018. Although he's impressed during the preseason, because of the experience ahead of him, Edwards is expected to be redshirted this season.
LAMONT GAILLARD, OL, Senior, Georgia (Pine Forest) – Heading into his third season as Georgia's starting center. Has made 28 consecutive starts for the Bulldogs and earned the “Own The Trenches'' award during spring practice in April.
MARK GILBERT, CB, Junior, Duke (Terry Sanford) – An All-ACC first-team pick last season and preseason selection for 2018. Gilbert was among the national leaders with six interceptions as a sophomore. He's a candidate this year for the Jim Thorpe Award given annually to the nation's top defensive back.
JEFFERIE GIBSON, S, Senior, Arkansas State (Gray's Creek) – Originally a Clemson signee, Gibson spent two years with the Tigers and played in 12 games during the 2015 season. Spent 2016 at Arizona Western junior college before transferring to Arkansas State. Played in 11 games last season and made four starts last season, including the Camellia Bowl. Had 27 tackles and one interception.
KEEGAN GOOD, CB, Sophomore, Wake Forest (Pinecrest) – Came to Wake Forest as a preferred walk-on player, but has yet to see any game action. Was named to the ACC Academic Honor Roll in 2017.
ERNEST KING, DT, Redshirt freshman, Charlotte (St. Paul's) – King, the son of Westover head coach Ernest King Jr., was redshirted last season after joining the 49ers as a preferred walk-on. Expected to see his first college action this season as a backup at defensive tackle.
JAREN LUBRANO, TE, Redshirt Freshman, Wake Forest (Pinecrest) – Sat out last season after joining the Deacons as a preferred walk-on. Made an impression last year in practice as a performer on the special teams scout squad.
AUSTIN METZGER, LS-TE, Freshman, Appalachian State (Pinecrest) – The son of Pinecrest coach Chris Metzger is a preferred walk-on with the Mountaineers.
LARRELL MURCHISON, DT, Junior, N.C. State (East Bladen) – Transferred from Louisville junior college to N.C. State last fall and was redshirted. Enters the 2018 season as the backup at defensive tackle behind veteran Eurndraus Bryant.
ANDRE PEGUES, WR, Freshman, East Carolina (Hoke County) – Because ECU isn't as deep as usual at the receiver positions, Pegues could have an opportunity to earn playing time as a true freshman.
JORY PERKINS, QB, Freshman, N.C. State (Lee County) – After throwing for more than 1,500 yards and 14 touchdowns at Lee County last season, Perkins accepted a preferred walk-on offer with the Wolfpack. Expected to be redshirted as a true freshman.
SEAN POLLARD, OL, Junior, Clemson (Pinecrest) – An honorable mention All-ACC pick in 2017, Pollard made 16 starts for the Tigers in his first two seasons. He split starting time at right tackle last season, but is expected to be the starter at right guard in 2018.
JACKSON QUIGGLE, LS, Sophomore, N.C. State (Southern Lee) – The walk-on specialist is listed as the backup to veteran long snapper Tyler Griffiths entering the 2018 season.
JARAY SAMPSON, TE, Junior, East Carolina (E.E. Smith) – Played on the Pirates' scout team as a walk-on last season after transferring from Johnson C. Smith. No. 3 on depth chart at tight end entering the 2018 season, so Sampson could see playing time this season.
SAYVON SAMPSON, WR, Senior, Duke (St. Paul's) – A walk-on who has appeared in just one game during his college career. Played one snap against N.C. Central during the 2016 season. Listed third on the depth chart at the X receiver position heading into this year.
JAHMIR SMITH, RB, Freshman, Notre Dame (Lee County) – One of the nation's top-ranked rushing prospects as a senior at Lee County, Smith is listed at No. 3 on the preseason depth chart at running back for the Fighting Irish. But with at least two upperclassmen ahead of him, Smith could be redshirted barring any major injuries at the position.
JONATHAN SMITH, LB, Junior, North Carolina (Scotland) – The projected starter at linebacker for the Tar Heels this season, Smith played in 11 games and made four starts a year ago. He finished with 40 tackles, four tackles for loss and returned a fumble for a touchdown against Western Carolina.
T.J. SMITH, DE, Freshman, Georgia State (Scotland) – A pass-rushing specialist who recorded 15 sacks for Scotland last season, Smith had offseason knee surgery and will likely redshirt as a true freshman this season.
ISAIAH STALLINGS, S, Sophomore, N.C. State (Terry Sanford) – After a redshirt freshman season in 2016, Stallings played in 12 games last season and made one start against Marshall. He made four tackles. Heads into 2018 as the backup at strong safety to junior all-star candidate Jarius Morehead.
NATE THOMPSON, S, Freshman, Duke (Southern Lee) – A four-year starter at Southern Lee, Thompson arrives at Duke ranked as one of the top safety prospects in the nation. Could work himself into early playing time on special teams or as a reserve as true freshman.
EMMANUEL UKHUELIGBE, DE, Sophomore, Army (Seventy-First) – Saw his first action with the Cadets in 2017 when he played in season opener against Fordham. Didn't register a tackle in his only appearance. Could see more action this season in reserve role.
ZAMIR WHITE, RB, Freshman, Georgia (Scotland) – The nation's top-ranked running back prospect in the Class of 2018, White has been slowed by a knee injury suffered during Scotland's playoff run last season. But he's made a speedy recovery and could become a factor for the Bulldogs at some point this season.
ARTHUR WILLIAMS, DT, Senior, Florida State (E.E. Smith) – Has played in 25 career games as a backup for the Seminoles. Made eight tackles in 13 games a year ago. Expected to be in the rotation at nose guard or tackle in 2018.
GARRETT WILSON, LS, Junior, Wake Forest (Southern Lee) – Handled every snap for Wake Forest as a freshman in 2015 and for the first few games of 2016 before being replaced by Dayton Diemel. Enters this season as Diemel's backup.
-Sammy Batten
