More game-day visits lining up for 2026 North Carolina QB Josiah Oxendine
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Have ability, talent on the gridiron travels well; that was the case for Josiah Oxendine (6-0, 195) during the 2024 high school football season. The 2026 signal caller showcased his mix of arm strength and footspeed for Forest Hills High School (Marshville, NC) after slinging the pigskin for Dillion (SC) as a sophomore. The offer sheet has expanded into the double-digits with more collegiate interests coming his way.
ON THE FIELD
A foot injury limited Oxendine to five games with his new squad, but progress leading an offense with an array of abilities was shown.
“My IQ will go up each year,” Oxendine stated. “My accuracy has really taken off in this offense. My speed has improved; I’m getting faster and stronger. My overall body and arm strength, my speed, and getting out and making throws on the run have all improved. I have grown in every aspect of the game.”
The style of offense with the Yellow Jackets fits Oxendine’s talents.
“We run a Spread, same as Dillion, but more RPO (run-pass option) style,” Oxendine said. “In our offense, I have the chance to run, hand it off, or pull it and throw it depending on the defense. Many of our passing concepts are the same – vertical, quick game, and we take our shots when we can.”
Asked about his top game this season, Oxendine quickly pointed to the Ashbrook and North Stanly contests.
“My personal opinion, I had two; our first game against Ashbrook and the game before I got hurt against North Stanly.
“Ashbrook had a great defense; the best I’ve played against in high school. We came out firing. They had a really good defense, but we were able to move the ball and score. That was the game where I was getting the ball out quick to my playmakers. I didn’t let the defense blitz and get pressure. Once we got it out quick, we were able to take shots. We were leading at halftime. Being able to beat the blitz, we were sucking them in.
“The North Stanly game was probably my best. That was my best running game of the season; I had 60-70 yards rushing, if I’m not mistaken. I was getting the ball out quick, made shots count, and my intermediate game was good. That was my all around best running and throwing game.”
ALONG THE RECRUITING TRAIL
Offers have been extended from Tennessee, Pitt, Appalachian State, Marshall, Georgia Southern, Akron, Florida A&M, Georgia State, and Miami of Ohio. More offseason evaluations are coming from high profile programs.
“East Carolina is showing a lot of interest. I did a game visit with them, and I did a camp with them as well. I like their offense a lot. Coach (John David) Baker (OC) has changed that offense in a year; you can tell it is totally different from last year. They are a very dangerous team because they can run and throw.
“Clemson has been showing interest. Coach (Dabo) Swinney is big on high school recruits. He’s not big on the transfer portal. They message me. I plan on visiting them this month. I did a camp there this summer. I really like Clemson and all he stands for as a man.
“As well as Clemson, I have Charlotte. I was going to do a game-day with them, but I got hurt that Friday; I wasn’t able to go. They have sent a lot of messages. I camped with them a couple of summers ago. They have a really good school, and they are having a good season as well.
“Alabama has been showing interest as well; they haven’t offered yet. I plan on doing a game-day with them as well. I camped with them as well. As you saw last night, they had a great win over LSU. Coach (Nick) Sheridan (OC) and coach (Kalen) DeBoer, they have sent multiple messages to me. I am hoping sometime this month I can go down and have a great game day.”
Offering programs have been keeping in contact with the junior prospect.
“App State has been showing a lot of interest with coach (Frank) Ponce (OC),” Oxendine shared. “I am hoping I can visit them as well to see coach Shawn Clark. I enjoy their campus and their values as coaches. I like how excellent they have been for a long time. They are tight knit like a family.
“Marshall was my first game day visit this year thanks to coach (Charles) Huff. I was there for the Western Michigan game; it was a great game. Their sales pitch is really good. Coach Huff is big on family and playing for each other. They had a bunch of speakers there talking about how important family is there.
“Tennessee is showing interest as well. I have probably been there the most out of all the colleges. They are winners. They know how to develop talent, and they know how to put you in the right spot at the right time.”
The Panthers got Oxendine up to Acrisure Stadium.
“Pitt, I did a game day visit with them, and I will do another, hopefully this week,” Oxendine said. “They are having a great season, coach Kade Bell (OC) and coach (Pat) Narduzzi. I talked to coach Bell at the game; he’s a great coach. You can tell with their production how great they are.”
Click the link for the previous RNG interview with Josiah Oxendine.