The sports staff of the Asheville Citizen Times and Hendersonville Times-News has released its second annual Elite 8, a collection of Western North Carolina’s top college football prospects for the Class of 2025.
The players and rankings are decided by conversations among our staff and with WNC coaches, observations on the field and the level of interest players are receiving from college programs across the country.
8. Finley Sullivan, Christ School
The 6-foot-4, 250-pound edge rusher is starting to gain interest from colleges as a tight end prospect, too. Sullivan, who recorded 38 tackles and seven sacks as a junior with the Greenies, transferred from West Henderson before last season. In addition to offers from Appalachian State, North Carolina A&T, Virginia Military Institute and Lenoir-Rhyne, Sullivan has interest from schools like Kennesaw State as he develops at tight end because of size and speed.
Christ School coach Chad Walker said Sullivan stands out academically with a high GPA and high standardized test scores. Sullivan has improved his flexibility, specifically in the hips, but it’s his knowledge in the sport that’s really increased since joining the Greenies. He’s also learned new pass-rushing techniques, which could help him build on his sack total from last year, which was second highest on the team.
Evan Gerike
7. Hayezon Tobe, Asheville School
Tobe has been one of the top receivers in WNC for the past two seasons. As a sophomore, he burst onto the scene, catching 79 passes for 1,141 yards with 17 touchdowns. Last season, the 6-foot, 169-pound wideout recorded 51 catches for 817 yards and nine touchdowns. He picked up his first Division I offer from Nebraska in April 2023.
“He’s got good football knowledge,” Blues coach Shawn Bryson said. “He’s bright. He works his butt off on the field. And he’s a smooth athlete.”
Zachary Huber
6. Peter Owolabi, Asheville School
Owolabi made the decision to transfer this offseason from Mount Zion Prep Academy in Maryland. With his 6-3, 272-pound frame, he will play offensive and defensive line. Owolabi has committed to Ivy League member Dartmouth.
Like his teammate and Virginia commit Justin Rowe, Owolabi hails from Ontario, Canada. Bryson said he and Rowe knew each other before he announced his decision to transfer.
Zachary Huber i
5. Dillon Galloway, Brevard
Galloway earned his first Division I FBS offer from App State on June 20, then picked another up from FBS newcomer Kennesaw State the following day. The 6-4, 240-pound tight end also has offers from FCS schools like Penn, Gardner-Webb and Chattanooga, among others. He plans to make his commitment public on Aug. 16 before Brevard hosts Pisgah.
Galloway, the best tight end in the WNC, had 167 receiving yards with four touchdowns last year. Many tight ends love running routes, catching passes and scoring touchdowns in the passing game, but not Galloway. He enjoys run-blocking more.
“Whenever I went to a camp, I was told by (Appalachian State tight ends coach) Justin Watts that you can’t be great at everything,” Galloway said. “But the one thing you can do, and it doesn’t take any talent, is putting people in the dirt and finishing blocks.”
Zachary Huber
4. Sam Browder, Christ School
Browder has earned 16 Division I offers, including Group of 5 schools like Memphis, USF and East Carolina, all three of which he visited this summer. The 6-5, 280-pound offensive tackle had never played on the line before arriving at Christ School last season but has quickly become a highly sought-after prospect.
Browder has shown the ability to play left tackle or shift inside to play a guard position, versatility that is valued by colleges. College coaches have notied his ability to keep quick feet and redirect well in the pass protection game.
“Everything he does, he does the right way, “Walker said. “He comes to practice and he finds a way to get better every single day. He works on his techniques, and he works on his craft.”
Evan Gerike .
3. Kareem Williams, Asheville High
The safety and Coastal Carolina commit will be the key piece in Asheville High’s defense as they look to bounce back from a down season. Williams, the No. 40 recruit in North Carolina, earned attention from college scouts for his length (6-3, 180) and athleticism. Williams had 54 tackles and two interceptions as a junior.
Asheville coach Cort Radford said Williams’ length (6-3) and athleticism stand out to recruiters. Radford said schools that have seen Williams said he has an NFL body.
“It’s going to be on him to continue to progress and get himself to the point where hopefully, one day, he gives himself that opportunity,” Radford said.
Evan Gerike
SMOKY MOUNTAIN ROSTER BREAKDOWN: Key losses, returning pieces on Smoky Mountain Conference rosters
2. Max Guest, Reynolds
Guest committed to Appalachian State on May 23 after missing most of last season because of a foot injury, but the three-star recruit is healthy and ready to lead Reynolds’ offense in 2024. The 5-10, 185-pound running back is the No. 32 player in…
Asheville Citizen-Times
