College football 2021 preview: Local products in three Charlotte games that open the season

By Richard Walker

Area products fill college football rosters all across the nation.

And during Labor Day weekend, when the focus of college football will be on Charlotte, local products will be involved for five of the six teams who will be playing in the Queen City.

On Thursday, Sept. 2, seven area products will face off when Appalachian State meets East Carolina at 7:30 p.m. at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium.

For Appalachian State, Lance Ware (Shelby 1992 graduate) is a senior assistant to the head coach with sophomore offensive tackle Larry Dowdy (South Point 2019) and freshman linebacker Nate Blanton (Crest 2019) on the Mountaineers’ roster. For East Carolina, freshman wide receiver Ray Rose (South Point 2020), freshman safety Devon King (South Point 2020), freshman kicker Carson Smith (South Point 2021) and senior linebacker Aaron Ramseur (Crest 2016) are on the Pirates’ roster.

On Friday, Sept. 3, six area products will face off when Duke visits Charlotte at 7 p.m. at Richardson Stadium in the 49ers’ first home game against an ACC opponent. For Charlotte, graduate wide receiver Cameron Dollar (East Lincoln 2017), senior running back Calvin Camp (Shelby 2017), sophomore linebacker Prince Bemah (Huss 2019), junior offensive lineman Gage Welborn (East Lincoln 2018) and freshman offensive lineman J.D. Therrell (Clover 2021) are on the 49ers roster. And sophomore cornerback Tony Davis (Huss 2019) plays for the Blue Devils.

And on Saturday, Sept. 4, Clemson meets Georgia at 7:30 p.m. at Bank of America Stadium with the Kyle Richardson (South Point 1998) Clemson’s director of high school relations and graduate defensive end Justin Foster (Crest 2017) and junior safety Lannden Zanders (Crest 2019) on the Tigers’ roster.

Many other local products also begin college football seasons as soon as this week. Here’s a list of those that are currently listed on their respective colleges’ websites:

Apprentice School: Matt West (Ashbrook 2020) is a freshman quarterback and Thomas Hougas (Shelby 2020) a freshman offensive lineman for the Builders, who open at home on Sept. 4 at 1 p.m. against St. Sebastian Elite.

Averett: Seven players and one coach are with the Cougars, who open Sept. 4 at 6 p.m. at Ferrum – players junior defensive end Dondra Burris (Huss 2019), junior safety Namari Borders (Crest 2019), senior offensive lineman Victor Hernandez (South Point 2018), junior offensive lineman Dkyieon Byers-Henderson (Forestview 2019), sophomore defensive tackle Juston Dunovant (North Gaston 2020) and senior wide receiver Chase Nixon (Huss 2018) and defensive coordinator/linebackers coach David Clark (Kings Mountain 2007).

Barton: Freshman defensive back Dylan Williams (Mountain Island Charter 2019) and freshman cornerback Damean Spikes (Crest 2019) play for the Bulldogs, who open Sept. 4 at 2 p.m. at home against Newberry.

Bluefield: Freshman defensive lineman/tight end Trent Smith (East Lincoln 2021) and freshman defensive lineman Derek Wilson (Kings Mountain 2021) play for the Rams, who open Sept. 4 at home at 6 p.m. against Thomas More.

Brevard: Senior running back Aaron Bennett (Forestview 2018), junior defensive lineman Wyatt Lankford (Crest 2019) and junior offensive lineman Andrew Tarleton (East Lincoln 2019) play for the Tornados, who open Sept. 4 at noon at Shorter.

Buffalo: Senior cornerback Aapri Washington (Mountain Island Charter 2017) plays for the Bulls, who open Sept. 2 at 7 p.m. at home against Wagner.

Campbell: Four players are with the Camels, who open Sept. 4 at 6 p.m. at Liberty – sophomore running back Lamagea McDowell (Huss 2020), freshman kicker Holt Cloninger (Forestview 2020), freshman wide receiver Jadon Robinson (Mountain Island Charter 2021) and freshman defensive back Christian Hunter (Mountain Island Charter 2021).

Carson-Newman: Freshman kicker Christian Erwin (Clover 2020) plays for the Eagles, who open Sept. 2 at 7 p.m. at home against West Georgia.

Catawba: Four players are with the Indians, who open Sept. 4 at 1 p.m. at home against Erskine – freshman running back Kujuan Pryor (Burns 2020), sophomore defensive back Calvin Stephens (Mountain Island Charter 2018), freshman wide receiver Jaden Lockhart (Mountain Island Charter 2021) and freshman quarterback Cam’Ron Sweezy (Burns 2021).

Charleston Southern: Sophomore quarterback Isaiah Bess (Shelby 2020) and freshman wide receiver T.J. Ruff (Crest 2021) play for the Buccaneers, who open Sept. 11 at 2 p.m. at The Citadel.

Cornell: Senior wide receiver Eric Gallman II (Mountain Island Charter 2017) plays for the Big Red, which opens Sept. 18 at 2 p.m. at home against VMI.

Davidson: Senior linebacker Jake Alexander (South Point 2018) and freshman safety Daniel Carter (North Lincoln 2021) play for the Wildcats, who open on Sept. 4 at 1:30 p.m. at VMI.

Emory & Henry: Junior linebacker Nate Hamilton (South Point 2018) plays for the Wasps, who open Sept. 4 at 4 p.m. at North Carolina Wesleyan.

Ferrum: Sophomore defensive Jaylon Kimble (Shelby 2020) plays for the Panthers, who open Sept. 4 at 6 p.m. at home against Averett.

Fordham: Freshman defensive lineman Javari Rice-Wilson (Kings Mountain 2021) plays for the Rams, who open Sept. 4 at noon at Nebraska.

Gardner-Webb: Nine players are with the Bulldogs, who open Sept. 4 at 6 p.m. at Georgia Southern – senior linebacker Matthew Robinson (South Point 2018), freshman defensive back Tyler Arrington (Shelby 2021), sophomore running back Jalin Graham (Crest 2020), sophomore linebacker Kendall Massey (Ashbrook 2020), sophomore defensive lineman Christopher Richardson (Crest 2020), freshman offensive lineman Blake Davis (Kings Mountain 2021), senior tight end Stormy Mosteller (Burns 2018), senior defensive lineman Tremayne Booker (Forestview 2017) and sophomore wide receiver Eli Brooks (Crest 2020).

Hampton: Freshman linebackers Mason King (Mountain Island Charter 2018) and T.J. Roberts (Burns 2018) play for the Pirates, who open Sept. 4 at 6 p.m. at home against Virginia Union.

Howard: Senior tight end Malik Hyatt (Ashbrook 2017) plays for the Bison, who open Sept. 4 at 2 p.m. at Richmond.

Lenoir-Rhyne: Six players are with the Bears, who open Sept. 4 at 6 p.m. at Virginia State – freshman safety James Ussery (Kings Mountain 2020), sophomore linebacker B.J. Ramseur (Crest 2019), freshman offensive lineman Xavier Jennings (Burns 2020), freshman offensive lineman Shayle Gash (Shelby 2021), junior offensive lineman Phillip Davis (South Point 2018) and sophomore defensive end Rae-Kwon Young-Turner (Crest 2019).

Limestone: Sophomore wide receiver Quintin Davidson (Kings Mountain 2020), freshman defensive back Marquis Fewell (Kings Mountain 2019) and senior offensive lineman Wesley Barker (South Point 2018) play for the Saints, who open Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. at North Greenville.

Mars Hill: Eight players are with the Lions, who open Sept. 2 at 7 p.m. at home against Chowan – Sophomore free safety J’Son Pitts (Cherryville 2019), junior defensive lineman Antwon McClee (Ashbrook 2019), junior offensive lineman William Bryson (Ashbrook 2018), junior offensive lineman Joshua Long (Ashbrook 2019), freshman defensive back Tre Barnett (Crest 2021), freshman defensive back Chance Cannon (Kings Mountain 2021), freshman defensive back Mason Huitt (West Lincoln 2021) and sophomore wide receiver Ja’Hari Mitchell (Shelby 2020).

Maryville: Junior offensive lineman Jace Brittain (Cherryville 2019) plays for the Scots, who open Sept. 4 at 6 p.m. at Berry.

Methodist: Five players are with the Monarchs, who open Sept. 4 at 1 p.m. at Shenandoah – sophomore kicker Trevor Hargett (Huss 2019), junior offensive lineman Nick Wiggins (Huss 2018), freshman wide receiver Jarris Gash (Lincolnton 2020), freshman kicker Diego Ramiro (Lincolnton 2021) and freshman linebacker Isiah McMullens from Mooresboro.

Missouri: Associate head coach Charlie Harbison (Crest 1978, Gardner-Webb 1982) and freshman linebacker Dameon Wilson (Kings Mountain 2021) are with the Tigers, who open Sept. 4 at 3 p.m. at home against Central Michigan.

Norfolk State: Head coach Dawson Odums (Crest 1992) is with the Spartans, who open Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. at Toledo.

North Carolina: Seven players and one coach are with the Tar Heels, who open Sept. 3 at 6 p.m. at Virginia Tech – freshman wide receiver Kobe Paysour of Kings Mountain, freshman defensive back Dontavius Nash (Huss 2021), senior running back British Brooks (Ashbrook 2018), freshman linebacker Gabe Stephens (Mountain Island Charter 2021), freshman long snapper Spencer Triplett (Shelby 2020), freshman tight end Kendall Karr (Cramer 2020) and freshman kicker Todd Pledger (Mountain Island Charter 2021) and assistant strength coach A.J. Blue (North Gaston 2008).

North Carolina A&T: Senior wide receiver Zach Leslie (Burns 2016), senior defensive lineman Devin Harrell (Huss 2017) and freshman wide receiver K.J. Leslie (Burns 2020) play for the Aggies, who open Sept. 4 at 2 p.m. at Furman.

N.C. State: Six players are with the Wolfpack, which opens Sept. 2 at 7:30 p.m. at home against South Florida – sophomore linebacker Jaylon Scott (Shelby 2019), freshman quarterback Zo Wallace (Huss 2020), freshman defensive back Samuel Duncan (West Lincoln 2021), freshman defensive end Travali Price (North Lincoln 2021), freshman long snapper/defensive tackle Jayden Tate (North Lincoln 2021) and freshman safety Jalen Frazier who once played at East Lincoln.

North Carolina Wesleyan: Sophomore wide receiver Elijah Love (Bessemer City 2020), freshman fullback Trevon Crank (Ashbrook 2021) and junior offensive lineman Jordan Sadler (Forestview 2019) play for the Battlin’ Bishops, who open Sept. 4 at noon at home against Emory & Henry.

North Greenville: Junior running back Semaj Lakin (Clover 2018) and assistant head coach Carroll McCray (Gardner-Webb 1983) are with the Crusaders, who open Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. at home against Limestone.

Presbyterian: Freshman defensive end Anthony Dye (Huss 2020) plays for the Blue Hose, which open Sept. 4 at 4 p.m. at home against St. Andrews.

Ripon: Freshman quarterback Cory Adams (Huss 2021) plays for the Red Hawks, who open Sept. 4 at 6 p.m. at home against Augsburg.

Shaw: Sophomore defensive back Akeythio Carson (Huss 2017) plays for the Bears, who open Sept. 2 at 6 p.m. at Wingate.

South Carolina: Senior tight end Nick Muse (South Point 2017) plays for the Gamecocks, who open Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. at home against Eastern Illinois.

South Carolina State: Freshman wide receiver Hezekiah Massey (Clover 2019) plays for the Bulldogs, who open Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. at Alabama A&M.

Southern Illinois: Freshman safety Dorian Davis (Shelby 2019) plays for the Salukis, who open Sept. 2 at 6:30 p.m. at Southeast Missouri.

Stanford: Junior wide receiver Marcus Graham (Mountain Island Charter 2019) plays for the Cardinal, who open Sept. 4 at noon at home against Kansas.

Toledo: Sophomore kicker Evan Davis (Crest 2019) plays for the Rockets, who open Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. at home against Norfolk State.

UNC-Pembroke: Sophomore punter Alex Hodge (Clover 2020) plays for the Braves, who open Sept. 4 at 6 p.m. at Winston-Salem State.

Valparaiso: Senior running back Robert Washington (East Gaston 2016) plays for the Beacons, who open Sept. 4 at 5 p.m. at Indiana Wesleyan.

VMI: Freshman linebacker Dorien Starnes (Burns 2021) plays for the Keydets, who open Sept. 4 at 1:30 p.m. at home against Davidson.

Virginia Tech: Junior linebacker Dax Hollifield (Shelby 2018) and freshman offensive lineman Jack Hollifield (Shelby 2021) play for the Hokies, who open Sept. 3 at 6 p.m. at home against North Carolina.

Wake Forest: Junior kicker Nick Sciba (Clover 2018) and freshman offensive lineman Nick Sharpe (Huss 2021) play for the Deacons, who open Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. at home against Old Dominion.

Western Carolina: Five players are with the Catamounts, who open Sept. 4 at 6 p.m. at Eastern Kentucky – senior linebacker Trevor Childers (East Lincoln 2017), junior running back Quenten Zanders (Crest 2018), freshman defensive end Tre Jolly (Shelby 2019), freshman defensive lineman Jaquarius Glenn (Clover 2020) and freshman offensive lineman Nathan Linkous (Cramer 2021).

Wingate: Six players are the with the Bulldogs, who open Sept. 2 at 6 p.m. at home against Shaw – freshman defensive back Jaheim Mullen (Huss 2019), sophomore offensive lineman Alex Kale (Crest 2019), junior offensive lineman Emanual Bido (Bessemer City 2018), senior defensive end Ricky Smith (East Lincoln 2017), freshman wide receiver Justin Barnett (East Lincoln 2020) and freshman fullback Braxton Kale (Crest 2020).

Winston-Salem State: Freshman running back Amontre Finger (Lincolnton 2021) and freshman defensive lineman Reggie Spivey (Huss 2021) play for the Rams, who open Sept. 4 at 6 p.m. at home against UNC-Pembroke.

Yale: Junior defensive lineman Marcus Mauney (Huss 2019) plays for the Bulldogs, who open Sept. 18 at noon at home against Holy Cross.