Grant Lawless has emerged as one of North Carolina’s most prolific high school quarterbacks, combining gaudy statistics with a compelling recruiting journey that culminated in his commitment to Wake Forest.
At East Lincoln High School, Lawless has rewritten the record books. Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing around 195 pounds, the senior signal-caller capped off his 2025 season with 2,876 passing yards, 33 touchdowns and just four interceptions, completing 66 percent of his throws. He added 436 rushing yards and 12 scores on the ground, showcasing mobility that complements his polished arm talent. Those numbers powered East Lincoln to a 10-2 finish and a berth in the state playoffs.
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His play earned him a spot as a finalist on the ALL-USA East Football Team, which also makes him a finalist for the national ALL-USA Football Team. Both of those teams will be announced later this month. Here is the full list of the quarterback finalists.
Lawless’s rise wasn’t sudden; it was built year by year. As a sophomore in 2023, he threw for 1,599 yards and 20 touchdowns, announcing himself as a varsity-ready starter. His junior campaign in 2024 was even more impressive: 2,650 yards, 36 touchdowns and only four picks, while leading East Lincoln to a 7-4 record and the first round of the 3A playoffs.
By the end of his senior season, Lawless’s career totals stood at 7,125 passing yards, 89 touchdowns and just nine interceptions across 34 games, with an additional 868 rushing yards and 16 rushing scores. Efficiency defined his play. He averaged more than 209 passing yards per game and maintained a quarterback rating above 130.
Recruiters took notice. Lawless’s first scholarship offer came from Elon University in January, quickly followed by Gardner-Webb, Lenoir-Rhyne, Towson and Bryant. But the turning point arrived in late May, when Wake Forest extended its first Power Four offer.
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Within a week, Lawless committed to the Demon Deacons, becoming the second in-state quarterback pledge for their 2026 class. His decision reflected both opportunity and loyalty: Wake Forest’s new staff under head coach Jake Dickert prioritized keeping North Carolina talent close to home, and Lawless fit the mold perfectly.
Rated a four-star prospect and ranked among the top quarterbacks in the state, he was considered one of the most efficient passers in the region.
Beyond football, Lawless is a multi-sport standout. On the basketball court, he earned all-conference honors, averaging 13 points and nearly eight rebounds per game as a junior. His athletic versatility earned him East Lincoln’s Underclassman Athlete of the Year award in 2024-25.
Coaches and teammates often point to his leadership—calm in the pocket, vocal in the huddle, and relentless in preparation.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY High School Sports Wire: Grant Lawless, a Wake Forest recruit, named ALL-American finalist
