The Charlotte Observer ranks the region’s top 50 high school football players

A trio of linemen headline the first Charlotte Observer Top 50 high school football rankings for players in the region.

High school football practice officially begins in North and South Carolina this week, and for the first time The Observer is compiling a ranking of the top players in its coverage area.

The ranking includes eligible players from the following counties — Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lancaster (SC), Lincoln, Union and York (SC). It will be updated later in the regular season.

At the top of the initial list is Providence Day offensive lineman David Sanders, the reigning Gatorade N.C. player of the year. A 6-foot-7, 290-pound offensive and defensive tackle, Sanders is ranked No. 3 nationally, regardless of position, by 247 Sports among rising seniors.

He is uncommitted for college, but has narrowed his choices to Georgia, Iowa, Nebraska and Ohio State.

Weddington defensive lineman Trajen Odom is No. 2 on the list. Odom, who is 6-4, 285 pounds, transferred from Cary’s Panther Creek High in the offseason. He’s committed to Ohio State, and is ranked among the top 40 players at his position nationally by 247 Sports.

At No. 3 is the highest-ranked junior on the list: Myers Park’s Rodney Dunham. At 6-4, 215-pounds, Dunham has rapidly risen in the recruiting ranks. A defensive end, 247 Sports ranks Dunham among the top 35 nationally, regardless of position, among all rising juniors

He has offers from schools including Charlotte, Duke, Florida State, Georgia, Notre Dame and Michigan.