1. Usually Alpha Wolf is more for the younger classes and getting a jump on the future, but Friday will be about the class of 2024, with a handful of 2025 and 2026 key prospects sprinkled in.
NC State will have five class of 2024 commits and junior quarterback Will Wilson of Columbia, S.C., in attendance.
Charlotte (N.C.) Providence Day safety Brody Barnhardt, Massillon (Ohio) Washington defensive end Chase Bond, Rolesville (N.C.) High running back Isiah Jones, Ona (W.Va.) Midland Cabell linebacker Cannon Lewis and Wake Forest (N.C.) High linebacker Zane Williams are the senior commits in attendance. It will be particularly good for Bond as this will only be his second trip to NC State.
Usually senior players officially visit and then pick a school, but NC State is in this unique situation of having four players who fall into that category Friday.
The headliner is Burlington (N.C.) Cummings senior wide receiver Jonathan Paylor, who will see NC State and North Carolina this weekend and then pick a college Aug. 5. One of the aspects I’ve learned about Paylor over the last two years is that he enjoys the recruiting process, and this weekend is a perfect example of that. Other than NIL possibilities, there isn’t much left to learn about NC State (or UNC), but these trips are fun. Paylor is likely closing in on double-digit unofficial visits to NC State, along with his official visit.
Joining Paylor on a post-official visit return includes defensive end Joshua Alexander-Felton of Orlando (Fla.) Edgewater, tackle Tyler West of Andrews (N.C.) High and guard Robby Martin of Huntington (W.Va.) High. In the case of Martin, he’s picking among NC State, Penn State, West Virginia and Maryland at 3:30 p.m. July 31. Martin doesn’t do many interviews, so it will be good to see if he’ll open and give some clues Friday on what he is thinking.
Martin has probably been to NC State at least three times already, but for Alexander-Felton, it will be his second trip. He went to NC State and Maryland officially in June, and it will be interesting to see what his timeline is, which previously was to make a decision in the fall.
West has been to NC State two times in the past, and about the only aspect of his recruitment that remains is whether he sees Georgia Tech officially in August and September. He has been to GT unofficially.
1a. NC State was hoping Greensboro (N.C.) Grimsley senior wide receiver Terrell Anderson would be at Alpha Wolf, and maybe even commit. That he hasn’t announced his commitment yet has puzzled folks.
The prevailing theory is that Tennessee maybe has filled up after landing 5-star wide receiver Mike Matthews, but we’ll see. Anderson goes by the beat of his own drum, so it isn’t totally surprising, but it would be interesting to know what is the hold up with his season opener coming Aug. 18. Because Anderson is in his own world in recruiting, it’s why you don’t hear about him influencing the decisions of other Wolfpack targets. He’s not a package deal kind of personality.
There should be some clarity with Anderson coming soon, but a commitment at Alpha Wolf would have really maximized the spotlight.
2. NC State has two other uncommitted seniors arriving Friday.
Kansas outside linebacker commit Jacorey Stewart of Alpharetta (Ga.) Milton High was originally offered by NC State on March 8, but nothing has been consummated with the Wolfpack until this week, so that is big.
The 6-1, 190-pounder is a three-star prospect by Rivals.com and has 13 offers. He took an official visit to KU and quickly committed June 11.
Georgia Tech is the other college pushing on Stewart and this recruitment looks to go well into the fall.
Jonesboro (Ga.) Mundy’s Mill High senior outside linebacker Joshua Ofor is the other top linebacker prospect arriving Friday. The speedy Ofor is unrated by Rivals.com, but he fits well in NC State’s 3-3-5 scheme. He had 85 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and two interceptions in 10 games for the 7-4 Tigers last year.
What makes Ofor intriguing is how much upside he has. He finished seventh in the triple jump with 45 feet, 7.25 inches at the GHSA 6A state meet May 13, and also had 20-10 in the long jump.
Ofor officially visited East Carolina on June 23-25, so he’s just getting going on his recruitment. NC State, Maryland and Ole Miss are his three Power Five Conference offers, and he has 22 offers overall.
Not at Alpha Wolf, but NC State is also pushing for Danville (Va.) George Washington senior athlete Kemori Dixon, who is a Boston College verbal commit. The 6-1, 205-pounder will likely be an outside linebacker type in college. He committed to BC on June 8, but several ACC programs, including NC State are in pursuit.
3. The odds are good that some late confirming underclassmen will pop up going to Alpha Wolf, but at least seven key prospects are expected to come. Here’s a breakdown:
Colt Brennan, OL, Annapolis (Md.) St. Mary’s High: Brennan is under the radar at this point, but is 6-5 and 285 pounds, so he’ll be one to monitor moving forward.
Arrion Concepcion, WR, Charlotte Chambers High; The younger brother of current NC State freshman wide receiver Kevin Concepcion already has a Wolfpack offer. He went to Alabama this past week.
Faizon Brandon, QB, Greensboro Grimsley: Few players will be under microscope this prep season like Brandon. NC State has offered Brandon and the keys to the Grimsley offense are his. He’ll get to throw to the previously mentioned Terrell Anderson and senior wide receiver Alex Taylor, who will pick his college Saturday.
Jacob Smith, QB, Pfafftown (N.C.) Reagan: Like Brandon, Smith was also offered by NC State and the two gunslingers will play each other this fall. Smith is verbally committed to NC State baseball, but has gotten several football offers, which means he’ll be a walk-on for baseball in college if he plays both sports.
Bryce Green, RB, Buford (Ga.) High: NC State was hoping Green and Buford junior running back Justin Baker would make the trip, but at the moment, it will be Green, who hasn’t picked up any offers yet, but has promise.
NC State will have five class of 2024 commits and junior quarterback Will Wilson of Columbia, S.C., in attendance.
Charlotte (N.C.) Providence Day safety Brody Barnhardt, Massillon (Ohio) Washington defensive end Chase Bond, Rolesville (N.C.) High running back Isiah Jones, Ona (W.Va.) Midland Cabell linebacker Cannon Lewis and Wake Forest (N.C.) High linebacker Zane Williams are the senior commits in attendance. It will be particularly good for Bond as this will only be his second trip to NC State.
Usually senior players officially visit and then pick a school, but NC State is in this unique situation of having four players who fall into that category Friday.
The headliner is Burlington (N.C.) Cummings senior wide receiver Jonathan Paylor, who will see NC State and North Carolina this weekend and then pick a college Aug. 5. One of the aspects I’ve learned about Paylor over the last two years is that he enjoys the recruiting process, and this weekend is a perfect example of that. Other than NIL possibilities, there isn’t much left to learn about NC State (or UNC), but these trips are fun. Paylor is likely closing in on double-digit unofficial visits to NC State, along with his official visit.
Joining Paylor on a post-official visit return includes defensive end Joshua Alexander-Felton of Orlando (Fla.) Edgewater, tackle Tyler West of Andrews (N.C.) High and guard Robby Martin of Huntington (W.Va.) High. In the case of Martin, he’s picking among NC State, Penn State, West Virginia and Maryland at 3:30 p.m. July 31. Martin doesn’t do many interviews, so it will be good to see if he’ll open and give some clues Friday on what he is thinking.
Martin has probably been to NC State at least three times already, but for Alexander-Felton, it will be his second trip. He went to NC State and Maryland officially in June, and it will be interesting to see what his timeline is, which previously was to make a decision in the fall.
West has been to NC State two times in the past, and about the only aspect of his recruitment that remains is whether he sees Georgia Tech officially in August and September. He has been to GT unofficially.
1a. NC State was hoping Greensboro (N.C.) Grimsley senior wide receiver Terrell Anderson would be at Alpha Wolf, and maybe even commit. That he hasn’t announced his commitment yet has puzzled folks.
The prevailing theory is that Tennessee maybe has filled up after landing 5-star wide receiver Mike Matthews, but we’ll see. Anderson goes by the beat of his own drum, so it isn’t totally surprising, but it would be interesting to know what is the hold up with his season opener coming Aug. 18. Because Anderson is in his own world in recruiting, it’s why you don’t hear about him influencing the decisions of other Wolfpack targets. He’s not a package deal kind of personality.
There should be some clarity with Anderson coming soon, but a commitment at Alpha Wolf would have really maximized the spotlight.
2. NC State has two other uncommitted seniors arriving Friday.
Kansas outside linebacker commit Jacorey Stewart of Alpharetta (Ga.) Milton High was originally offered by NC State on March 8, but nothing has been consummated with the Wolfpack until this week, so that is big.
The 6-1, 190-pounder is a three-star prospect by Rivals.com and has 13 offers. He took an official visit to KU and quickly committed June 11.
Georgia Tech is the other college pushing on Stewart and this recruitment looks to go well into the fall.
Jonesboro (Ga.) Mundy’s Mill High senior outside linebacker Joshua Ofor is the other top linebacker prospect arriving Friday. The speedy Ofor is unrated by Rivals.com, but he fits well in NC State’s 3-3-5 scheme. He had 85 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and two interceptions in 10 games for the 7-4 Tigers last year.
What makes Ofor intriguing is how much upside he has. He finished seventh in the triple jump with 45 feet, 7.25 inches at the GHSA 6A state meet May 13, and also had 20-10 in the long jump.
Ofor officially visited East Carolina on June 23-25, so he’s just getting going on his recruitment. NC State, Maryland and Ole Miss are his three Power Five Conference offers, and he has 22 offers overall.
Not at Alpha Wolf, but NC State is also pushing for Danville (Va.) George Washington senior athlete Kemori Dixon, who is a Boston College verbal commit. The 6-1, 205-pounder will likely be an outside linebacker type in college. He committed to BC on June 8, but several ACC programs, including NC State are in pursuit.
3. The odds are good that some late confirming underclassmen will pop up going to Alpha Wolf, but at least seven key prospects are expected to come. Here’s a breakdown:
Class of 2025:
Gus Ritchey, TE/DE, Pittsboro (N.C.) Northwood: NC State offered Ritchey as a tight end this past winter, and he’s been unofficially visiting on average once every three months over the last year. The competition has increased and he was offered by Notre Dame, and is originally from Indiana.Colt Brennan, OL, Annapolis (Md.) St. Mary’s High: Brennan is under the radar at this point, but is 6-5 and 285 pounds, so he’ll be one to monitor moving forward.
Arrion Concepcion, WR, Charlotte Chambers High; The younger brother of current NC State freshman wide receiver Kevin Concepcion already has a Wolfpack offer. He went to Alabama this past week.
Class of 2026:
Leo Delaney, OL, Charlotte Providence Day: Delaney played his first two years at Charlotte East Mecklenburg, and has transferred to Providence Day, and has reclassed into 2026. The right tackle was offered by NC State in mid-June following camp.Faizon Brandon, QB, Greensboro Grimsley: Few players will be under microscope this prep season like Brandon. NC State has offered Brandon and the keys to the Grimsley offense are his. He’ll get to throw to the previously mentioned Terrell Anderson and senior wide receiver Alex Taylor, who will pick his college Saturday.
Jacob Smith, QB, Pfafftown (N.C.) Reagan: Like Brandon, Smith was also offered by NC State and the two gunslingers will play each other this fall. Smith is verbally committed to NC State baseball, but has gotten several football offers, which means he’ll be a walk-on for baseball in college if he plays both sports.
Bryce Green, RB, Buford (Ga.) High: NC State was hoping Green and Buford junior running back Justin Baker would make the trip, but at the moment, it will be Green, who hasn’t picked up any offers yet, but has promise.
Class of 2027:
Junior Saunders, OL, Woodbery Forest (Va.) School: He played his freshman year at Greensboro Page, and then reclassed into 2027 at Woodbery Forest. If he ever goes back to a public school down the road, he’ll then go back to 2026. He camped at NC State last June and earned an offer.
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