Who is all-time greatest North Carolina high school football player?

Keenan Allen, Wide Receiver, Northern Guilford

Nov 2, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) makes a catch against the Tennessee Titans during pre-game warmups at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Long before he was an NFL standout, Allen was a two-way standout in high school, excelling as a wide receiver and safety. He was a five-star talent who scored a ridiculous 64 total touchdowns as a senior, including 14 on defense (six interception returns) and 10 passing touchdowns.

Bobby Bell, Quarterback, Cleveland

Unknown date and location; Baltimore Colts quarterback #19 Johnny Unitas (19) gets sacked by Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Bobby Bell (78). Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

One of the most dynamic athletes to come out of North Carolina, Bell began his career playing six-man football before transferring to Cleveland in his senior year. Bell played nearly every position on the field, finding success at quarterback, leading the Tigers to state titles in 1956 and 1957, before a Hall of Fame career with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Carl Eller, Defensive End, Atkins

Minnesota Vikings defensive end Carl Eller on the sidelines.

Eller's one of the most dominant defensive forces to ever come out of the Tar Heel State. In 1959, he led Atkins to an unbeaten state championship before going on to a Hall of Fame career with the Minnesota Vikings' Purple People Eaters.

Todd Gurley, Running Back, Tarboro

15. Todd Gurley, Los Angeles Rams (2017) - 383.3 points

Gurley's NFL career was all too short, but he made the most of his opportunity in the league. Long before that and the run at Georgia, he was one of the nation's top running back prospects, leading Tarboro to three straight championships from 2009 to 2011. As a senior, he ran for 2,600 yards and 38 touchdowns.

Will Grier, Quarterback, Davidson Day

Aug 22, 2019; Foxborough, MA, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Will Grier (3) passes the ball against the New England Patriots during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Playing at a private school, Grier's numbers may not be in the record books, but there aren't many quarterbacks anywhere in the country who had a better high school career than him. He finished his high school career throwing for 14,559 yards and 195 touchdowns, leading Davidson Day to three consecutive state titles. As a senior, he threw for 77 touchdowns and also had an 837-yard performance.

Elijah Hood, Running Back, Charlotte Catholic

Aug 17, 2018; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Elijah Hood (30) celebrates his NFL score against the Miami Dolphins during the second half at Bank of America Stadium.

To this day, Hood is remembered as one of the state's top running backs and for good reason. As a sophomore, he rushed for nearly 1,900 yards and 34 touchdowns, with both numbers coming out to be career lows. He would rush for over 3,000 yards in back-to-back seasons, scored 48 touchdowns as a junior and 53 as a senior.

Sonny Jurgensen, Quarterback, New Hanover

Oct 1969; unknown location, USA: FILE PHOTO; Washington Redskins head coach talks to Sonny Jurgensen (9) on the sidelines during the 1969 season. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Jurgensen was a legend to North Carolina natives long before he had a Hall of Fame career in the NFL. He was a three-star athlete excelling in basketball, baseball, and football. As a junior, he primarily played halfback and linebacker, but transitioned over to quarterback in his senior year, carving out a lasting legacy at that position.

Dexter Lawrence, Defensive Tackle, Wake Forest

Dexter Lawrence of the New York Giants celebrates during the first quarter of the game at MetLife Stadium on October 9, 2025, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Coming out of high school, Lawrence was ranked as the No. 1 defensive tackle and No. 2 overall prospect for the Class of 2016. His play backed up those rankings as he dominated the state, racking up 91 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, and 13 sacks his senior year.

Chris Leak, Quarterback, Independence

Nov 11, 2006; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators quarterback (12) Chris Leak during the second quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL. The Gators defeated the Gamecocks 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports Copyright © 2006 Jason Parkhurst

Leak is regarded by many as the best high school quarterback in North Carolina history. His 15,593 passing yards are the public school state record by more than 2,000 yards. Leak's 185 career touchdowns stood as a national record for 9 years, and it still holds the North Carolina state record.

T.A. McLendon, Running Back, Albemarle

Legendary is the best way to describe McLendon's high school career. By the time he graduated, he held the national records for career touchdowns (178), single-season touchdowns (71), and career points (1,070). In his final game, he rushed for 289 yards and a state-record seven touchdowns to lead Albermarle to a state championship.

Kevin Parks, Running Back, West Rowan

Nov 1, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Virginia Cavaliers running back Kevin Parks (25) runs after a catch in their game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Georgia Tech won 35-10.

Parks started as a freshman and only rushed for less than 2,000 yards once in his career. Arguably the most decorated player in state history, he set national records for career rushing attempts (1,370) and games with at least 100 rushing yards (55). His state records include career rushing yards (10,895) and most rushing yards in a season (3,794).

Julius Peppers, Running Back, Southern Nash

Oct 5, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Former Carolina Panthers great Julius Peppers on the sidelines before the gsme at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Everyone knows Peppers for his Hall of Fame defensive career, which he played mostly with the Carolina Panthers. However, his journey began long before that as a star in the North Carolina high school football scene. He was a three-sport star at 6-foot-7 and 250 pounds, but once he started playing football as a sophomore, he thrived on the gridiron, finding most of his high school success at running back.

Brandon Spikes, Linebacker, Crest

Sep 27, 2008; Gainesville FL, USA; Florida Gators linebacker Brandon Spikes (51) against the Mississippi Rebels during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Spikes was regarded as one of the best linebacker prospects in the country for his class and for good reason. As a junior, he totaled 75 tackles, and a year later, he totaled 98 tackles, seven interceptions, and five forced fumbles. He would go on to play six years in the NFL.

Mario Williams, Defensive End, Richlands

Dec 13, 2007; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans defensive end Mario Williams (90) against the Denver Broncos at Reliant Stadium. The Texans beat the Broncos 31-13. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Williams was the definition of an "ironman" athlete, starting all 48 games of his high school career, including a senior season where he starred at defensive end and running back. While rushing for 590 yards and three touchdowns that season, he also recorded 87 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, and five forced fumbles. His hype continued all the way through college as he was taken with the No. 1 pick in the 2006 NFL Draft.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Vote for North Carolina's all-time best high school football player