Greensboro (N.C.) Grimsley takes care of business against Dudley

GREENSBORO — Greensboro (N.C.) Grimsley pulled away to defeat crosstown foe Greensboro Dudley 42-14 on Friday, in a game that featured numerous Division I prospects.

Grimsley improved to 9-0, with the last eight wins with freshman quarterback Brody Lowe under center. Star senior quarterback Faizon Brandon, a Tennessee verbal commit, injured his thumb against West Charlotte (N.C.) High in the season opener.

The two teams last played Oct. 21, 2016. An added subplot was that Grimsley junior edge rusher Andrew Rogers had transferred in from Dudley.

The game

Dudley cut Grimsley’s lead to 21-14 with 9:14 left in the third quarter, and then sophomore running back Ty Shoemake ripped off a 77-yard touchdown and the Whirlies never looked back. Shoemake has an early Virginia Tech offer, but from the previous staff.

Lowe and the offense just exploded. Lowe finished the game with touchdown throws from 30 yards, 15 and 26.

NC State target

The main current NC State target missed the game due to an injury and that is No. 14-ranked sophomore defensive lineman Azhir Waddell, who is 6-5 and 280 pounds. He’s capable on the offensive line and defensive line, but he said the Wolfpack will recruit him on the defensive side of the ball.

Waddell will return to action in four weeks is the current plan, if Dudley is still playing in the NCHSAA playoffs.

Potential targets

This game was about the future. Grimsley features freshman quarterback Lowe, Shoemake and defensive lineman Guy Vann in the class of 2028, and junior left tackle Gavin Milton and junior defensive end Rogers.

Lowe is a 6-foot lefty who plays with great poise, throws the ball in tight spaces pretty easily and made good decisions. He had a couple of passes where he forced it into double coverage, but it neither were picked off. He will be a future Division I quarterback, now it’s just a matter of what level.

NC State has hosted Rogers for game-day unofficial visits the last two years. He committed to Virginia Tech and the sense is that he’ll give the new Hokies coach a fair shot. He was originally in the class of 2027, then moved to 2026 and now has time on his side once again by returning to 2027. He’ll play hoops this winter for Grimsley.

Milton is intriguing because at a listed 6-6 and 295 pounds, he will easily add more weight. His frame and pass-protection skills will lead to college offers.

Vann has been productive all season. He isn’t related to NC State’s Rylan Vann or his older brother Davin Vann. He’s listed at 6-2 and 265 pounds and seemingly has a knack for being around the ball.

Dudley junior athlete Vermont Carmack claims numerous P4 offers. Senior teammate Robert McCollum is a tackling machine at inside linebacker, and was offered by Syracuse last summer.

Dudley sophomore guard Kameron Abrams maybe got injured, but at 6-6 and 342 pounds, he’ll draw long looks from college coaches. 

Past targets

Grimsley senior cornerback Kosci Barnes and senior tight end D.J. Howerton are both former NC State targets. Barnes picked South Carolina and he made an impact on both sides of the ball, and he caught a touchdown. Howerton had a few passes thrown his way, but is a developmental tight end, who picked Rutgers.

Grimsley senior wide receiver Kaden Catoe is head to Charlotte.

Coming up

The Wolfpacker will have a story on Rogers and various scouting videos, which will be found here.