Under-The-Radar North Carolina 2028s Poised To Break Out

North Carolina has quietly become one of the most competitive softball states in the country, with talent stretching far beyond the household names. While much of the spotlight shines on established standouts, a new wave of 2028 prospects is steadily building momentum.   From power arms in the circle to dynamic middle infielders and impact bats in the lineup, the class of 2028 in the Tar Heel State is deeper than many realize. These under-the-radar athletes have the tools, work ethic, and upside to turn heads this high school season and beyond.   Below, Prep Softball highlights the North Carolina 2028s who are poised to break out in a big way this season.    [player_tooltip player_id='152372' first='Eliza' last='Leicht'] returns to Rolesville after her fall season with Tier One Rebellion, for whom she shined at the plate. Her best tournament was the ACFL Fall Showcase, during which she drove in five runs with a .667 on-base percentage. Her performance during the fall season came while balancing time with her high school volleyball team. Leicht attended the USA Softball national selection event in December for a second straight season and has been on the radar of college coaches, having attended camps recently at Virginia Tech, NC State, and USC Upstate.     [player_tooltip player_id='144735' first='Zoey' last='Woodruff'] will look to carry momentum across the calendar year as she transitions back to school ball. Woodruff played on Team NC Bowman during the fall season, competing alongside 11 committed players on a high-quality club lineup. Her RBI double against the Tampa Mustangs at the Clearwater Invitational helped Team NC Bowman win by one run at one of the toughest events on the club slate. Woodruff visited Liberty and Charlotte in January ahead of the high school season.     After a strong 2025 fall club season with the Nationals, Riley Sutton looks to continue her upward trajectory with school ball and moving forward with Team NC Bowman. At the ACFL Showcase during the fall, Sutton struck out 17 batters in 11 scoreless innings of work, highlighting her value for any squad in the circle. Sutton visited Clemson and UNC Charlotte during the offseason. Her left-handed skill presents a unique opportunity for her continued development as a pitcher.     Landyn Smith is a slapper who can consistently get on base and will look to do the same with High Point Christian in 2026. Like Woodruff, Smith played up on the 2027 Team NC Bowman team among high-ranked college commits and was a regular in the lineup. She recently attended camps at Liberty and UNC Charlotte. Smith won a state championship in 2025 and looks to do the same as she returns to the high school diamond this spring.     [player_tooltip player_id='102828' first='Callie' last='Mitchell'] is a standout two-way talent for Carolina Naturals 27/28, bringing impact both in the circle and across the diamond. A right-handed pitcher and versatile infielder, Mitchell's athleticism and softball IQ allow her to influence the game in multiple ways. In the circle, she competes with poise and command. Just as impressive in the classroom, Mitchell owns a 4.46 weighted GPA at Farmville Central High School, where she is ranked No. 1 in her class. A member of the Health Sciences Academy, she exemplifies discipline, leadership skills, and a commitment to excellence that carries over from academics to athletics.

North Carolina has quietly become one of the most competitive softball states in the country, with talent stretching far beyond the household names. While much of the spotlight shines on established standouts, a new wave of 2028 prospects is steadily building momentum.