Jaxon Dollar has been named the 247Sports Preseason Player of the Year in North Carolina as the 2026 high school football season approaches.
The senior tight end from Denver (N.C.) East Lincoln brings major size to the position at 6-foot-3 1/2 and 222 pounds, and his junior year made the case in a big way. In 12 games during the 2025 season, Dollar hauled in 54 catches for 1,190 yards and 20 touchdowns, according to MaxPreps.
247Sports director of scouting Andrew Ivins described just how difficult Dollar is to handle on the field.
"Dollar is the definition of a mismatch," said 247Sports director of scouting Andrew Ivins. "He's the type of offensive weapon that opposing defensive coordinators spend all offseason worrying about how they are going to guard him.
He's got an exceptional catch radius with his body control and jump timing. The rare tight end that you can run a passing attack through."
247Sports national scouting analyst T.J. Randall pointed to a strong offseason for the five-star tight end, who recently turned 17 and showcased his ability at The Opening Finals in Oregon.
"It's been a banner offseason for the five-star tight end, who, just weeks ago, turned 17 years old. Dollar brought his updated blue-chip status to Oregon for The Opening Finals and proceeded to out-leap and out-run defenders in the passing-related portions of the marquee event. Expect another voluminous receiving line from the Georgia commit this season."
Dollar’s value goes beyond the numbers. He’s a dangerous target after the catch, and his jump-ball skill stands out, especially in the red zone. He also brings a tough, team-first edge and a clear drive to win.
He announced his commitment on April 30 and is part of Georgia’s 2027 recruiting class, where he is expected to be a strong fit in Athens.
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