HSOT Watch List: Top specialists from across the state

With the N.C. High School Athletic Association's spring football season approaching, the HighSchoolOT Watch List previews some of the top players in the state.

Up first: the specialists.

The spots on the Watch List break down like this: 35 specialists (kickers, punters, long snappers, returners, and special teamers) from either the NCHSAA ranks based on their 2019 seasons or athletes from the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association who had standout years in the fall.

Later this week, we will also release 50 offensive players in their own Watch List, as well as 50 defensive players in their own Watch List.

Being on the Watch List does not guarantee a spot on the HighSchoolOT All-State team, which will be announced at the conclusion of the NCHSAA season and feature players from all associations.

The All-State team will be divided into first team, second team, third team, and honorable mention.

Note: names/schools below are as accurate as the transfers and participation statuses that have or have not been reported to us.

Kickers/Punters

Griffin Bryson, Hibriten (senior) -- 8/9 FG, long 41, 60/62 PATs

Jaydon Crabtree, South Granville (junior) -- 39.1 per punt, long 62, 5 inside 20

Eddie Czaplicki, Providence (senior) -- 9 made FG, 37 touchbacks; 45.9 per punt; Arizona State recruit

Matthew Dennis, Myers Park (senior) -- 5/5 FG, long 37, 70/73 PATs; 60/84 touchbacks; Wake Forest recruit

Jake Marion, North Davidson (senior) -- 6/13 FG, 35/37 PATs; 37.1 per punt, 11 in 20; 40/47 touchbacks; Army recruit

Laith Marjan, Enloe (senior) -- 37.8 per punt, 13 in 20; 11/14 FG, long 46, 40/41 PATs; 27/68 touchbacks; East Carolina recruit

Cole Maynard, Hough (senior) -- 38.5 per punt, long 82, 9 inside 20; UNC recruit

*Bryce McFerson, Metrolina Christian (junior) -- 1/3 FG, long 45, 10/10 PATs; 39.3 per punt; 17/75 touchbacks; Wake Forest recruit

Trevor Moss, Richmond (senior) -- 3/3 FG, long 36, 7/10 PATs; 54/99 touchbacks; Campbell recruit

Guillermo Moure, Davie County (senior) -- 6/8 FG, long 44, 40/43 PATs

Caden Noonkester, Marvin Ridge (senior) -- 46.4 per punt; N.C. State recruit

*Todd Pelino, Cabarrus Warriors (junior) -- 6/8 FG, long 45, 18/18 PATs

Todd Pledger, Mountain Island Charter (senior) -- 3/3 FG, long 47, 63/71 PATs; 61/91 touchbacks UNC recruit

*Ethan Spell, Harrells Christian (sophomore) -- 38.5 per punt, 7 inside 20; 23/53 touchbacks

Jeff Yurk, Pinecrest (senior) -- 6/14 FG, 40/44 PATs; 36.8 per punt, 4 inside 20; Elon recruit

Owen Zalc, Green Hope (sophomore) -- 8/12 FG, long 41, 33/34 PATs; 34.8 per punt, 6 inside 20

*NCISAA season was completed in the fall.

Long Snappers

Anthony DeBerardino, Apex Friendship (senior) -- Air Force recruit

*Cameron Hicks, Charlotte Christian -- Wofford recruit

Jake Mann, Northwood (senior) -- Oklahoma recruit

Alex McLaughlin, Weddington (senior) -- N.C. State recruit

Slade Roy, South Mecklenburg (senior) -- 5 FBS offers

Jayden Tate, North Lincoln (senior) -- N.C. State recruit

Austin Turner, Western Alamance (senior) -- Liberty recruit

Ben Wheless, Cardinal Gibbons (senior) -- Villanova recruit

*NCISAA season was completed in the fall.

Returners

Justin Cobb, North Lenoir (junior) -- 3 kickoff return TDs

Jamarien Dalton, North Davidson (senior) -- 2 punt return TDs

Kamarro Edmonds, Havelock (senior) -- 1 kickoff return TDs (4 career)

Breyden Harrison, Middle Creek (junior) -- 3 punt return TDs

Aronne Herring, New Bern (sophomore) -- 3 kickoff return TDs

Breon Pass, Reidsville (senior) -- 2 punt, 2 kickoff return TDs

Savonne Tutt, Pamlico County (senior) -- 4 kickoff return TDs

Mehki Wall, Dudley (junior) -- 1 punt return TD (4 career)

Special Teamers

Henry Daniel, South Granville (senior) -- 3 blocked field goals

Albert Redd, Glenn (junior) -- 5 blocked punts

Khalil Watson, Wake Forest (senior) -- 2 blocked field goals, 2 blocked punts