DURHAM, N.C. – During National Signing Day, North Carolina Central head football coach Trei Oliver and his staff signed 14 athletes, in addition to the five who signed during the early signing period back in December, bringing the total to 19 new Eagles in 2025.
Below are notes and videos on the 14 who inked with the Eagles, as well as a reminder of those five who signed during the early signing period.
SIGNEE BIOS
Lionel Burns III • Fr. • DB • 6-0 • 170
Norcross HS | Norcross, Ga.
Burns had a total of 26 offers coming out of high school, including but not limited to: Coastal Carolina, Liberty, James Madison and Appalachian State. He was a 2024 Gwinnett County Player of the Month and 2024 all-county defensive back.
Coach on Burns:
“Lionel brings really good value to the secondary. He has position versatility, athleticism, speed, ball skills and physicality. [He] comes from a good high school program in Georgia.”
Joshua Crabtree • Gr. • WR • 6-3 • 205
Murray State/Heritage HS | Wake Forest, N.C.
Crabtree is a local athlete from Wake Forest who is coming back home after being away. He was ranked by 247 sports as a 3-star prospect and a top-200 WR coming out of Heritage High School. He appeared in three games at N.C. State before transferring to Murray State. He is a former high school teammate of current Eagles quarterback Walker Harris.
Connor Everett • Fr. • TE • 6-5 • 235
Fuquay-Varina HS | Fuquay-Varina, N.C.
A native of the Raleigh-Durham area, Everett is a graduate of Fuqyay-Varinia High School. While at Fuqyay-Varinia, Everett was a two-time first-team all-conference tight end.
Coach on Everett:
“Connor is a prototypical tight end who is tall, physical and versatile. He has position flexibility and can play attached or off the ball. By being able to play attached, Connor will help open up holes for us in the run game, and with his enormous size and catch radius, he will be an easy target for our QBs to find in the passing game. We look forward to Connor being a big asset to the Eagles in the future.”
Anthony “Ant” Fisher • r-So. • DB • 5-11 • 180
UVA/Bluefield State/Varina HS | Richmond, Va.
Coming out of high school, Fisher was a 2021 Class 4A Offensive Player of the Year and a first-team all-state defensive selection at defensive back in high school. He initially chose Virginia before transferring to Bluefield State.
Coach on Fisher:
“Anthony is a very competitive guy we are glad to bring to The Nest! He brings experience, athleticism, ball skills and tackling ability to the secondary.”
Lincoln Frederick • Fr. • LS • 6-1 • 200
Jordan HS | Durham, N.C.
A neighbor to North Carolina Central University, Frederick attends Jordan High School, where he earned a 4.5-star ranking from Rubio Long Snapping. He earned District 6 All-Conference honors and is a 4 year Honor Roll student in high school.
Coach on Frederick:
“On special teams, it all starts with the snap. Lincoln brings confidence to the position and he has garnered national recognition. He comes from a winning program and will bring confidence and stability to the position.”
Carl Fulmer • Fr. • DT • 6-4 • 280
Dutch Fork HS | Irmo, S.C.
Fulmer was a full-time starter on an undefeated state championship team in the Dutch Fork Silver Foxes. During high school, he was a part of three state championship teams (2022, 2023 & 2024). Fulmer was also a 2024 Palmetto I-20 Classic All-Star Game Participant.
RJ Lancaster • Fr. • WR • 6-1 • 175
West Craven HS | Vanceboro N.C.
Lancaster played at West Craven High School and had over 900 yards on offense and special teams and four interceptions on defense. He scored 14 touchdowns for the Eagles during his senior campaign (6 receiving, three passing, three rushing, two on defense).
Coach on Lancaster:
“RJ has the talent, size and speed to be a really good player. He shows playmaking ability and lateral quickness to make defenders miss. He catches with his hands and tracks the ball really well. RJ has the ability and skillset to play early in his career.”
Gerald Lawton II • Fr. • WR • 5-9 • 168
Vanguard HS | Ocala, Fla.
Lawton received offers from Western Kentucky and Georgia State coming out of high school and was a key component to the Vanguard High School’s deep playoff run in 2024.
Carter Merck • Fr. QB • 6-1 • 185
Wakefield HS | Raleigh, N.C.
Merck was a multi-sport athlete, competing in both football and baseball at Wakefield High School. Has been a strong academic performer, maintaining a 3.9 GPA. He had several Div. II offers and high FCS interest coming out of high school.
Coach on Merck:
“Carter is a great athlete with a tremendous upside. We are thrilled to add his talents to our quarterback room. We believe Carter has the tools to be a great player and competitor for the Eagles.”
Khareem Thompson • r-Fr. • DE • 6-6 • 236
Hickory Ridge HS/Lenoir Rhyne | Harrisburg, N.C.
A standout while at Hickory Ridge who selected Lenoir Rhyne out of high school, Thompson was a 2023 All-Conference defensive end while with the Bears.
Refeno Vengates • Jr. • WR • 5-11 • 190
American/Keiser | Hialeah, Fla.
Vengates caught 11 touchdown passes in two seasons with Keiser, including nine this past season for the Hawks as they went 12-1 overall and 6-0 in the NAIA’s Sun Conference. He averaged 16.1 yards per catch in two seasons at Keiser.
Coach on Vengates:
“Refeno is a fast, productive wide receiver. He has good speed to stretch the field, and he has the strength to run through arm tackles and make defenders miss. He is a great addition to the wide receiver room, and he will make our offense even more explosive.”
Darryl Veal Jr. • Fr. • LB • 6-2 • 200
Kempsville HS | Virginia Beach, Va.
Veal was named Second Team 5A All-Region linebacker in Virginia. He recorded 99 tackles and 10 sacks for a Kempsville Chiefs team that made the playoffs.
Lionel Burns III • Fr. • DB • 6-0 • 170
Norcross HS | New Orleans, La.
Burns had 28 total offers, including Coastal Carolina, James Madison and Appalachian State. He was a Gwinnett County Player of the Month in 2024, and he was named all-county at DB.
Coach on Burns:
“Lionel brings outstanding value to the secondary. He has position versatility, athleticism, speed, ball skills and physicality. He comes from a good high school program in Georgia.”
Emmanuel Hill • Fr. • LB • 6-2 • 215
Pine Creek HS | Colorado Springs, Colo.
Hill played football and performed in the triple jump on the track team for Pine Creek. He was twice named Military Youth of the Year (2022, 2024), and this past season, he was an all-area selection at linebacker as Pine Creek made the playoffs.
Coach on Hill:
“He is a long athletic backer with a great frame.”
Anthony Prevalon • Fr. • OL • 6-4 • 280
Providence School of Jacksonville | Jacksonville, Fla.
Prevalon played on both sides of the line of scrimmage for Providence School while also excelling in the classroom to the tune of a 3.5 GPA. He drew interest from Wake Forest, Austin Peay and St. Thomas.
Coach on Prevalon:
“Anthony is a big, physical offensive lineman who possesses the ideal strength, athleticism and physicality to be a dominant player.”
During the early signing period, which ended on Dec. 6, five high school players signed on to play football at N.C. Central. Included below are notes on those additions.
2025 EARLY SIGNEES BIOS
Chanston Crosby • QB • 6-4 • 185
Bamberg-Ehrhardt HS | Bamberg, S.C.
A Bamberg-Ehrhardt standout, Chanston Crosby joins the Eagles as a versatile and dynamic quarterback. Rated as an 80 by 247Sports and earning a composite score of 0.8311, Crosby is ranked 189th among quarterbacks nationally and 35th overall in South Carolina. His impressive skill set and football pedigree make him a promising addition to the roster.
A 3-star quarterback who held offers from Charlotte, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Kent State, Akron, Miami (OH) and Tulane. Region 1A All-State QB and Lower State Offensive Player of the Year, North/South All-Star. In 2023, Crosby led Bamberg-Ehrhardt to a 12-2 record and threw for over 3,458 yards and 25 TDs. He followed up 2023 by going 8-3 in 2024 while throwing for 3,287 yards, 26 TDs with 2 INTs. He rushed for 460 yards and 6 TD.
Coach on Crosby:
We are extremely excited to sign Chanston Crosby to NC Central! He is a talented quarterback and a proven winner. He has a live arm and can make plays with his legs. He has demonstrated great poise and leadership throughout his high school career. He has a bright future for the Eagles!
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Victor Goree • OL • 6-2 • 275
South Pointe HS | Rock Hill, S.C.
Victor Goree, a dominant 6-2, 275-pound offensive lineman from South Pointe High School in Rock Hill, S.C., brings a winning pedigree and an unmatched work ethic to the program. A cornerstone of South Pointe’s success, Goree helped lead the Stallions to four consecutive state playoff appearances (2021-24) and was a key contributor to their 2021 state championship under head coach Cedric Williams—now N.C. Central’s offensive line coach.
A tenacious blocker with exceptional footwork and power, Goree recorded an astounding 202 pancake blocks during his high school career. His ability to control the line of scrimmage and protect his quarterbacks made him a respected teammate and a vital leader on the field.
Goree’s combination of size, technique and toughness will add immediate depth and competition to our offensive line unit. We are thrilled to welcome Victor to the family and look forward to seeing him pave the way for our offense!
Coach on Goree:
“Victor is an offensive lineman that is uber athletic physical and looks to finish any defender he has his hands on.”
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Jalen Morris • OL • 6-3 • 310
West Forsyth HS | Winston-Salem, N.C.
Jalen Morris has established himself as one of the premier offensive linemen in North Carolina, earning All-State and All-County honors during his standout senior season. Known for his tenacity and physicality in the trenches, Morris delivered an impressive 60 pancake blocks, solidifying his reputation as a relentless finisher who dominates defenders at the point of attack.
Primarily playing offensive guard, Morris also showcased versatility by excelling as a Center, demonstrating high football IQ, excellent hand placement, and the ability to make crucial line calls. His athleticism and quick feet make him a cornerstone of any offensive scheme, capable of thriving in both run-heavy and pass-protection systems.
Morris’ commitment to academics is evident in his 3.1 GPA, balancing the demands of rigorous coursework with his responsibilities as a student-athlete. His work ethic, leadership, and character have made him a role model in the West Forsyth community.
Coach on Morris:
“Jalen is a big and physical offensive lineman that is nasty in the run game, moves well in space, and plays with a mean streak every chance he gets.”
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Lebron Sharpe • RB • 5-10 • 185
Havelock HS | Havelock, N.C.
Highlight Film
Lebron Sharpe joins the Eagles as one of the most productive and consistent running backs in North Carolina high school football. A dynamic playmaker from Havelock High School, Sharpe amassed an impressive 2,862 rushing yards, 376 receiving yards, and 35 total touchdowns over his career entering the 2024 season.
In 2023, Sharpe showcased his durability and explosiveness, rushing for nearly 1,500 yards to help lead Havelock to a dominant 13-1 record, including a perfect 6-0 mark in conference play.
His efforts powered Havelock to a conference championship and deep playoff runs in back-to-back seasons, solidifying his status as a key contributor on one of the state’s most successful programs.
Sharpe’s high school career has been defined by excellence and leadership. Under his influence, Havelock compiled a stellar 34-5 record over three seasons, claiming three consecutive conference titles and consistently finishing among the top programs in the state.
Coach on Sharpe:
“LeBron is an explosive, versatile athlete. He shows vision and physicality to break tackles and go the distance. We are excited to add LeBron’s skill set and winning pedigree to our winning program.”
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Jovon Wright • DB • 6-0 • 188
Rolesville HS | Rolesville, N.C.
Jovon Wright is a dynamic and versatile defensive back from Rolesville High School who has proven to be a cornerstone of his team’s success. A 3-star recruit with elite athleticism and an exceptional football IQ, Wright played a pivotal role in leading the Rolesville Rams to the 2024 state playoffs.
A three-year varsity starter, Wright has 158 career tackles (106 solo), averaging 6.1 per game. He’s also picked off five passes in his high school career, while also lettering in track and field for three seasons.
Wright’s ability to lock down receivers in coverage, make open-field tackles and create turnovers has set him apart as one of the top defensive backs in the region. His 6-foot frame, speed and physicality make him a force in run support and pass defense alike.
Coach on Wright:
“Jovon brings winning characteristics with him to The Nest! He comes from a winning program which is very important! He is physical, athletic, has ball skills, and good speed! He also brings position versatility.
Source: NCCU Athletics/NCCUEaglePride.com
