Title: 2026 Public Schools Top 100 Preview: No. 33 Grimsley

The reason the Whirlies are No. 33 instead of pushing higher is straightforward. Lowe is taking over a full season after a short but productive freshman run, and the national ceiling depends on him handling the weekly pressure that comes with being the starter. He has already shown he can make throws in big games. Now he has to carry the position from August through December.

Players to Know

Brody Lowe — QB, 2029

Lowe is not an untested replacement. He went 9–0 as a freshman starter in 2025, completing 136 of 183 passes for 2,241 yards, 23 touchdowns and three interceptions. The 2026 offense starts with what he can sustain over a full season.

Ty Shoemake — RB, 2028

Shoemake is the offensive centerpiece. In the 7A West final against Weddington, he broke a 35-yard touchdown run that gave Grimsley breathing room in a 13-7 win. He gives Lowe a backfield option who has already handled a playoff moment.

Evander “E.J.” Davis — Safety, 2027

Davis had two interceptions in the Weddington win. His ability to take the ball away is exactly what makes Grimsley’s defense a legitimate strength rather than a hopeful one.

Makai Yon — Safety, 2027

Yon returned an interception 33 yards for a touchdown in the state final against Clayton. He is one of the returning players capable of changing a game in a single snap.

2026 Outlook

The best version of Grimsley does not need Lowe to imitate Faizon Brandon. It needs him to get the ball to the right place, avoid the turnover that flips a game, and let the rest of the roster dictate the terms.

If that happens, the Whirlies are capable of playing into December again. If the offense sputters, even a very good defense will be asked to hold up too often.

Schedule Breakdown

West Charlotte, West Forsyth and East Forsyth give Grimsley three immediate chances to establish its offense around Lowe. The Oct. 2 trip to Varina, Virginia, is the nonconference measuring stick before the late Greensboro schedule.

Page and Dudley are the games that can shape the Whirlies’ path. By then, Lowe will have had enough live work to show whether Grimsley can play fast and balanced against its best opponents.

2026 Schedule

Aug. 21 — West Charlotte

Aug. 28 — West Forsyth

Sept. 4 — at East Forsyth

Sept. 18 — Southwest Guilford

Sept. 25 — at Western Guilford

Oct. 2 — at Varina (Va.)

Oct. 9 — at Ragsdale

Oct. 16 — Page

Oct. 23 — at Dudley

Oct. 30 — Ben L. Smith

Biggest Question

Can Brody Lowe turn a strong supporting cast into a complete offense against another title-caliber opponent?

The defense gives the Whirlies a high floor. Lowe’s full-season command determines whether they have the high ceiling that belongs with a top-25 team.

For T25PS partnership or advertising opportunities, email alex@t25ps.com

T25PS Prediction

Grimsley will contend for another North Carolina championship. A top-25 finish is possible if Brody Lowe builds on the work he showed as a freshman.

Regular Season: 10-0

Postseason: North Carolina 7A State Champions

Bottom Line

No. 33 is a projection of a strong defense, a proven running back, and a young quarterback who has already won big games. The question is no longer whether Grimsley has a quarterback. It is whether Lowe can turn a promising start into a complete sophomore season.

Alex | T25PS

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