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PRINCETON — The buzz was real, and the turf was sizzling.
At last weekend’s Coaches Combine hosted at Princeton High School, over 150 Class of 2026 prospects stepped onto the field to put their athleticism to the test—and several didn’t just pass, they absolutely aced it. With laser-timed 40-yard dashes, vertical jumps, pro shuttles, broad jumps, and more, this wasn’t just about the stopwatch—it was about separating yourself from the pack.
And that’s exactly what these young athletes did.
Quarterbacks: Dual-Threats on Display
Quarterbacks today are expected to be more than just pocket passers—and this group showed just how athletic the position is becoming.
Kaleb Pone (North Johnston) – 5’11.125, 182 lbs
Ran a 4.74 laser 40 while adding a 34.2″ vertical and 9’4″ broad jump. He’s got the kind of footwork that makes defensive coordinators nervous before the snap.
Andre “DJ” Davis (West Craven) – 5’10.625, 173.2 lbs
Clocked in at 4.75 with a swift 4.42 shuttle, plus a 27.6″ vertical and 9’2″ broad—he’s a smooth mover with upside.
Anthony Washington Jr. (Jacksonville) – 5’8.375, 165.4 lbs
Clean numbers across the board: 5.07 40, 30.5″ vertical, and 8’9″ broad, with good balance and lower body control.
Running Backs: Balanced and Explosive
A stacked group, but three names separated themselves with raw numbers and refined movement.
Yondez Baker (Jacksonville) – 5’9.0, 168 lbs
A premier showing with a 4.51 40, 36.3″ vertical, 8’6″ broad, and 15 bench reps. His burst is next-level.
Jhalen Pharr-McNair (Tarboro) – 5’6.875, 171 lbs
A compact and explosive back, posting a 4.66 40, 32.8″ vertical, and 9’0″ broad with an agile 4.47 shuttle.
Eric Ruffin (Ayden-Grifton) – 5’7.0, 176.2 lbs
His 4.34 pro shuttle was one of the best of the day, plus 31″ vertical and 14 bench reps showed he’s built for contact.
Receivers: Flight School in Session
This group had no shortage of bounce—and a few of them might’ve needed flight clearance.
Sam Avent (Greene Central) – 5’9.625, 150.6 lbs
Exploded with a 36.7″ vertical, 9’9″ broad, and 4.2 shuttle—proving he’s more than just quick; he’s electric.
J’Qarrion Malone (Sanderson) – 5’7.750, 157.2 lbs
Smooth operator who hit a 36.0″ vertical and 9’1″ broad, with clean transitions through route-running drills.
Nygel Morgan (Ayden-Grifton) – 5’11.0, 154.4 lbs
Athletic frame and consistent metrics: 33.1″ vertical, 9’4″ broad, 4.41 shuttle.
Defensive Backs: Speed and Range
This position group brought length, twitch, and lockdown ability.
Jeremy Johnson (C.B. Aycock) – 5’7.125, 159.4 lbs
Combine MVP-caliber numbers: 4.53 laser 40, 37.9″ vertical, 9’10.5″ broad, 4.31 shuttle, and 16 bench reps.
Kam Vandiford (Greene Central) – 6’0.375, 168.2 lbs
Long, smooth, and explosive. Posted 32.6″ vertical, 8’9″ broad, and 4.37 shuttle with a 4.61 40.
Ky Hansley (North Brunswick) – 5’11.25, 143 lbs
Quietly strong day: 32.4″ vertical, 9’6″ broad, 4.61 shuttle, and a 4.75 40 to top it off.
Linebackers: Sideline to Sideline Athletes
Athletic linebackers continue to evolve, and these three showed why coverage and speed matter.
Nicholas Avent (Greene Central) – 5’10.75, 170.4 lbs
Freaky numbers: 37.6″ vertical, 10’1″ broad, and 4.68 laser 40. He looked ready to roam.
Walter Royster (Franklinton) – 5’10.25, 178.4 lbs
Posted a 36.4″ vertical, 9’2″ broad, and 4.29 shuttle, plus added 22 bench reps. Silent assassin vibes.
Alexander Chapman-Evans (Enloe) – 5’11.625, 170.2 lbs
34″ vertical, 9’7″ broad, and 4.66 40. Balanced, lean, and twitchy.
Defensive Line: Big Men with Burst
Linemen often get overlooked in combines—but this group had some sneaky athleticism.
Derek Matthis (Enloe) – 6’2.125, 196.6 lbs
Outstanding metrics for his position: 4.73 40, 9’8″ broad, and 4.68 shuttle. He moved like a linebacker.
Domani Edwards (J.H. Rose) – 5’11.375, 296.2 lbs
Showed control and power: 5.3 40, 7’11” broad, 4.91 shuttle, and 22 reps on the bench.
Christian Taylor (Croatan) – 6’0.750, 227.8 lbs
Tallied a 4.63 shuttle, 26 bench reps, and reliable footwork throughout pass-rush drills.
Offensive Line: Big Bodies, Big Upside
Big men who move well always turn heads—and this trio did just that.
Donovan Johnson (Pine Forest) – 6’2.125, 336.4 lbs
Rare athleticism at that size: 5.29 laser 40, 32″ vertical, and a strong 5.15 shuttle.
Saxton Cullet (Broughton) – 6’1.625, 256.4 lbs
Best agility of the big men: 5.03 40, 27.6″ vertical, and 4.96 shuttle.
Camden Toni (Willow Spring) – 6’2.375, 261.2 lbs
His 4.82 shuttle and steady movement caught the eyes of several OL coaches.
Final Take
Whether it was the laser-timed speed, the airborne explosiveness, or the grit in the weight room, the 2026 class left a statement in Princeton. These aren’t just stats—they’re snapshots of athletic potential waiting to be unleashed under Friday night lights.
And with spring football right around the corner, these athletes didn’t just earn buzz—they built momentum.
