West Craven Standout Xavier Cuthbertson Commits to Liberty University

Written by Christian Bateman

NEW BERN, N.C. — One of Eastern North Carolina's most versatile high school football prospects has officially made his college decision.

West Craven High School standout wide receiver and cornerback Xavier Cuthbertson has announced his commitment to Liberty University, becoming a key addition to the Flames' 2027 recruiting class.

Cuthbertson is expected to be Liberty's first commitment from North Carolina in the 2027 class, adding another talented playmaker to the program's future offensive plans.

The 6-foot, 180-pound athlete from New Bern has established himself as one of the most dynamic players in Eastern North Carolina, making an impact offensively, defensively and on special teams throughout his high school career.

A Dynamic Playmaker on Both Sides of the Football

Cuthbertson has been a cornerstone of the West Craven football program, demonstrating his ability to change the outcome of games in multiple phases.

Through nine games during the 2026 season, Cuthbertson has recorded 34 receptions for 584 receiving yards, establishing himself as the leading receiver in the Three Rivers 4A Athletic Conference.

His explosiveness extends beyond the receiving game.

As a kickoff return specialist, Cuthbertson has accumulated 241 yards on nine returns, giving West Craven another dangerous weapon capable of creating favorable field position.

His defensive production has been equally impressive.

Playing cornerback, Cuthbertson has recorded eight interceptions, generating 358 return yards while establishing himself as one of the most productive defensive backs in the state.

His eight interceptions rank 26th nationally, highlighting his instincts, athleticism and ability to create turnovers against opposing offenses.

Cuthbertson has also contributed in the backfield. In his most recent outing, he carried the football seven times for 59 yards, further demonstrating the versatility that has attracted attention from college programs.

With West Craven sitting atop the Three Rivers 4A Athletic Conference standings, Cuthbertson and his teammates have an opportunity to secure the regular-season conference championship in a pivotal matchup against Eastern Wayne.

Steady Development Into One of Eastern North Carolina's Top Prospects

Cuthbertson's emergence as a college football prospect has been the result of consistent development throughout his high school career.

During his sophomore campaign in 2024, he began establishing himself as an offensive weapon, appearing in 10 games and rushing for 207 yards on 27 carries.

The following season, Cuthbertson elevated his production significantly, recording 439 rushing yards on 54 attempts, more than doubling his rushing total from the previous year.

His continued development showcased his ability to handle an expanded offensive role while becoming a more complete football player.

Cuthbertson also earned Second-Team All-State recognition for his performance, further strengthening his reputation as one of Eastern North Carolina's emerging talents.

Now, with his senior season underway in 2026, Cuthbertson has continued building on that foundation, developing into a legitimate threat at wide receiver while maintaining his playmaking ability in the defensive secondary.

Liberty Wins Recruiting Battle for West Craven Standout

Although Cuthbertson currently does not hold a recruiting rating from 247Sports, his production and versatility have generated interest from several collegiate programs.

Before announcing his commitment to Liberty, Cuthbertson received scholarship offers from Richmond, UNC Pembroke, North Carolina Central and Central Connecticut State.

Liberty officially entered the recruiting picture with an offer on September 19, ultimately securing his commitment.

The Flames continue assembling their 2027 recruiting class, particularly at the wide receiver position.

Cuthbertson joins fellow receiver commitments Jordan Christie of Southwest DeKalb and Chris Butler of Mainland, giving Liberty another explosive athlete capable of stretching the field.

With potential changes to the Flames' receiving corps through graduation and the transfer portal, Cuthbertson could have an opportunity to compete for playing time early in his collegiate career.

His combination of speed, versatility and experience at multiple positions could provide Liberty's coaching staff with several options when utilizing his skill set.

Relationships, Faith and Opportunity Lead Cuthbertson to Liberty

For Cuthbertson, the decision to commit to Liberty extended beyond football.

The relationships he developed with the coaching staff, the university's Christian foundation and the opportunity to contribute to an explosive offense all played significant roles in his decision.

"The biggest thing that sold me were the connections with the whole coaching staff as a whole, not just my position, but everyone, and the connections with my parents as well," Cuthbertson said.

"Liberty being a Christian school was a big thing for my parents. They loved it, and with me already building my relationship with God, it just added to their list of positives."

Cuthbertson also believes his speed and versatility will complement the Flames' offensive system, particularly with the program's ability to attack defenses vertically through the passing game.

"I think with my versatility and speed, it could open up the offense tremendously," Cuthbertson said. "They already have a lot of great talent on offense this year, especially with the quarterback room being so talented and versatile.

"With their ability to throw deep balls, I feel like my speed could take the top off any defense."

Those attributes have made Cuthbertson one of the most exciting athletes to watch in Eastern North Carolina, and his commitment represents another opportunity for a local standout to showcase his talents at the Division I level.

One Final Mission at West Craven Before Heading to Lynchburg

While his collegiate future is now set, Cuthbertson still has unfinished business at West Craven.

With the Eagles positioned to compete for the Three Rivers 4A Athletic Conference championship, the senior playmaker remains focused on helping his team finish the regular season strong and make a postseason run.

His ability to contribute as a receiver, defensive back, return specialist and ball carrier has made him an invaluable part of West Craven's success.

For Liberty, the commitment adds a talented and versatile athlete with the potential to develop into an impact player at the next level.

For Eastern North Carolina, Cuthbertson's decision represents another example of the region's football talent earning opportunities on the collegiate stage.

From New Bern to Lynchburg, Xavier Cuthbertson's journey is entering an exciting new chapter. But before he puts on a Liberty Flames uniform, the West Craven standout has one final high school season to finish.