A large contingency of recruits from Cedar Grove High in Ellenwood, Ga., highlighted the camp on Thursday afternoon. The main focus for NC State fans was recently promoted four-star linebacker Elysee Mbem-Bosse. The 6-foot-1, 226-pounder had NC State in his top five, and he is close friends with incoming Pack defensive tackle Quentez Johnson.
Mbem-Bosse spent a lot of time chatting with defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Dave Huxtable before camp started. During one-on-ones, he actually switched over to offense since the numbers at tight end were low, and Mbem-Bosse actually held his own.
Four-star defensive tackle Antwuan Jackson also camped. He is as pretty as a 6-foot-3, 305-pounder as you will see, but it was also a bit discouraging that Jackson chose to skip out the last session’s one-on-ones.
Among the underclassmen from Cedar Grove, class of 2017 cornerback Tre Shaw has a Wolfpack offer, and the 6-foot, 176-pounder was arguably the most impressive defensive back in attendance Thursday. Another impressive class of 2017 performer was 6-foot-6, 215-pound quarterback Jelani Woods.
The ball easily comes out of Woods’ right hand, but on the flip side accuracy was an issue at times. Our suspicion is that Woods will need further evaluation before an offer comes his way. He was challenged by Raleigh Wakefield class of 2017 QB Matthew McKay for most impressive signal caller at the event.
McKay is all skin and bones at 6-foot-3, 160 pounds, but he has nice potential throwing the football and impressed by running a 40-yard dash in 4.65 seconds.
Returning quickly to Cedar Grove, massive offensive lineman Netori Johnson is a bit heavy at 6-foot-3, 350 pounds, but he is very light on his feet for a player that size. Once he loses the weight, he has big-time potential, which is probably why Alabama moved to land a commitment from the 2017 player. We liked how Johnson competed in one-on-ones despite his Auburn pledge.
Also competing hard and a name to watch is rising senior defensive end Christian Brooks from Clifton (Va.) Centreville High. Brooks does not have an offer yet from NCSU, but the 6-foot-5, 233-pounder worked hard in camp to get one. He is not a great athlete, but he does have some promise in him. Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Vanderbilt, Virginia and Wake Forest highlight Brooks’ offer list.
The best player at camp was actually not going to participate initially. Four-star receiver Freddie Swain from Citra (Fla.) North Marion apparently was dared into going into one-on-ones after talking some trash on the sideline, so Swain went out and looked so good that many observers were left wondering if he was a current NCSU player showing other players how to do the drills.
Swain is rated the No. 247 player in the country in the 2016 class by Rivals.com. Head coach Dave Doeren spent some time talking with Swain during camp, undoubtedly trying to persuade him to give a longer look at the Wolfpack.
An underclassmen that did well was Jaylen Borders from Shelby (N.C.) High. The 5-foot-11, 171-pounder is on the small side, but he is fast and quick. He ran one of the faster 40-yard dashes of the day (4.45 seconds) and more than held his own in one-on-ones. It should be noted that Borders is the son of former UNC receiver Chesley Borders.
Also camping to get an offer was linebacker Garrett Hooker from Thomasville (N.C.) Ledford Senior High. The 6-foot-2, 228-pounder competed hard, but the Pack has a crowded linebacker recruiting board that may need to sort out first.
Finally, an unofficial visitor at camp was rapidly rising three-star class of 2017 tackle Blake Vinson from North Marion High in Citra, Fla. Vinson figures to be one of the most heavily recruited tackles in the Southeast next year.
Mbem-Bosse spent a lot of time chatting with defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Dave Huxtable before camp started. During one-on-ones, he actually switched over to offense since the numbers at tight end were low, and Mbem-Bosse actually held his own.
Four-star defensive tackle Antwuan Jackson also camped. He is as pretty as a 6-foot-3, 305-pounder as you will see, but it was also a bit discouraging that Jackson chose to skip out the last session’s one-on-ones.
Among the underclassmen from Cedar Grove, class of 2017 cornerback Tre Shaw has a Wolfpack offer, and the 6-foot, 176-pounder was arguably the most impressive defensive back in attendance Thursday. Another impressive class of 2017 performer was 6-foot-6, 215-pound quarterback Jelani Woods.
The ball easily comes out of Woods’ right hand, but on the flip side accuracy was an issue at times. Our suspicion is that Woods will need further evaluation before an offer comes his way. He was challenged by Raleigh Wakefield class of 2017 QB Matthew McKay for most impressive signal caller at the event.
McKay is all skin and bones at 6-foot-3, 160 pounds, but he has nice potential throwing the football and impressed by running a 40-yard dash in 4.65 seconds.
Returning quickly to Cedar Grove, massive offensive lineman Netori Johnson is a bit heavy at 6-foot-3, 350 pounds, but he is very light on his feet for a player that size. Once he loses the weight, he has big-time potential, which is probably why Alabama moved to land a commitment from the 2017 player. We liked how Johnson competed in one-on-ones despite his Auburn pledge.
Also competing hard and a name to watch is rising senior defensive end Christian Brooks from Clifton (Va.) Centreville High. Brooks does not have an offer yet from NCSU, but the 6-foot-5, 233-pounder worked hard in camp to get one. He is not a great athlete, but he does have some promise in him. Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Vanderbilt, Virginia and Wake Forest highlight Brooks’ offer list.
The best player at camp was actually not going to participate initially. Four-star receiver Freddie Swain from Citra (Fla.) North Marion apparently was dared into going into one-on-ones after talking some trash on the sideline, so Swain went out and looked so good that many observers were left wondering if he was a current NCSU player showing other players how to do the drills.
Swain is rated the No. 247 player in the country in the 2016 class by Rivals.com. Head coach Dave Doeren spent some time talking with Swain during camp, undoubtedly trying to persuade him to give a longer look at the Wolfpack.
An underclassmen that did well was Jaylen Borders from Shelby (N.C.) High. The 5-foot-11, 171-pounder is on the small side, but he is fast and quick. He ran one of the faster 40-yard dashes of the day (4.45 seconds) and more than held his own in one-on-ones. It should be noted that Borders is the son of former UNC receiver Chesley Borders.
Also camping to get an offer was linebacker Garrett Hooker from Thomasville (N.C.) Ledford Senior High. The 6-foot-2, 228-pounder competed hard, but the Pack has a crowded linebacker recruiting board that may need to sort out first.
Finally, an unofficial visitor at camp was rapidly rising three-star class of 2017 tackle Blake Vinson from North Marion High in Citra, Fla. Vinson figures to be one of the most heavily recruited tackles in the Southeast next year.
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