1. Lets talk package deals.
When NC State landed Wake Forest (N.C.) Heritage High linebacker Drake Thomas on June 1, 2018, he turned into a recruiter for the Wolfpack. He concentrated on the defensive prospects, and eventually NCSU landed defensive linemen Savion Jackson, C.J. Clark, Joshua Harris and Terrell Dawkins, safety Khalid Martin and cornerback Shyheim Battle. Whatever role Thomas played, proved beneficial.
Younger brother Lex Thomas verbally committed to NC State on July 23, 2021, and history could repeat, but on the offensive side of the ball.
Thomas was on hand at the Rivals Camp Series in Fort Mill, S.C., and so were several of NC State’s prime offensive targets, who happen to be close to Thomas. Junior wide receivers Nathan Leacock of Raleigh Millbrook and Rolesville (N.C.) High’s Noah Rogers both showcased their abilities. NC State has been on them for a considerable amount of time and so has Thomas. This is a good example of how 7-on-7 has changed the game in recruiting. Instead of being rivals in high school, they are close friends.
Thomas said he asked Drake on what was the best to recruit future teammates. He doesn’t want to be overly pushy.
What interesting is that Leacock and Rogers have different personalities when it comes to recruiting. Leacock keeps hearing from some media people and in turn the fans about how he is a Wolfpack lock. He definitely likes NC State and his father ran track for the Wolfpack. However, he seems to bristle at the talk and is still eager to see what other schools are interested. Part of this is because he’s still eager to get new offers because he isn’t quite at the level of Rogers’ recruitment yet.
Rogers has every offer he could imagine basically. He’s the opposite of Leacock in that he really doesn’t clamor the attention from social media. He’s flashy with his play but kind of low-key as a person.
NC State could be quietly leading for Rogers some insiders believe, due in part to his connection to Thomas. They are as close as non-blood brothers as I’ve observed over the years. But outside of mentioning NC State, Clemson and Ohio State, he just isn’t talking the recruiting process and was non-committal on whether he’d go to NC State’s big recruiting event March 25, or the spring game April 9.
Thomas checked in at 5-10 1/2 and 182 pounds at the event.
2. Lets talk package deals, part II.
Thomas is trying to reach out to the Charlotte recruits like the junior duo at Chambers High such as running back Daylan Smothers and wide receiver Kevin Concepcion. They are receptive, but that isn’t the package deal they were talking about Sunday. Smothers was at the Rivals camp, but Concepcion was at Florida on an unofficial visit. Smothers and Concepcion want to include Chambers High junior Jordan Thompson into a potential package deal.
When asked, Smothers half-joked:
“That would be smart.”
I’ve mentioned Thompson in the past. He’s a big-play outside linebacker, who probably has the size of a strong safety. It has made his recruiting interesting to follow because I sense colleges don’t know what to do with him at about 5-10 and 191 pounds, which he checked in at camp today.
Smothers and Concepcion have talked often about playing college football together, and share several offers. Add Thompson to the mix, and that is where NC State could have an advantage. Syracuse, Louisville, East Carolina and Charlotte have offered Thompson, but he was part of the Chambers crew that recently went to Florida State for an unofficial visit.
3. So how did Thomas and recent NC State right tackle commit Darion Rivers of West Charlotte (N.C.) High do?
Thomas played to his strengths in that type of setting and threw a smooth, catchable ball and he was accurate. He was one of the smallest quarterbacks in attendance, but that isn’t new. It was telling that Rogers and Thomas specifically made sure they were partners in the one-on-one battles against defensive backs and we’ll have video of a few of their connections.
Rivers showed good quickness in pass protection and he has a good build that is only going to get bigger in time. HIs prep coach Sam Greiner was at the camp and is excited about his long-range future. He checked in at 6-5 1/2 and 250 pounds with a 6-9 1/2 wingspan at the camp.
We'll have an extensive look at the one-on-one reps that Rivers took at right tackle. He didn't try playing at defensive end.
When NC State landed Wake Forest (N.C.) Heritage High linebacker Drake Thomas on June 1, 2018, he turned into a recruiter for the Wolfpack. He concentrated on the defensive prospects, and eventually NCSU landed defensive linemen Savion Jackson, C.J. Clark, Joshua Harris and Terrell Dawkins, safety Khalid Martin and cornerback Shyheim Battle. Whatever role Thomas played, proved beneficial.
Younger brother Lex Thomas verbally committed to NC State on July 23, 2021, and history could repeat, but on the offensive side of the ball.
Thomas was on hand at the Rivals Camp Series in Fort Mill, S.C., and so were several of NC State’s prime offensive targets, who happen to be close to Thomas. Junior wide receivers Nathan Leacock of Raleigh Millbrook and Rolesville (N.C.) High’s Noah Rogers both showcased their abilities. NC State has been on them for a considerable amount of time and so has Thomas. This is a good example of how 7-on-7 has changed the game in recruiting. Instead of being rivals in high school, they are close friends.
Thomas said he asked Drake on what was the best to recruit future teammates. He doesn’t want to be overly pushy.
What interesting is that Leacock and Rogers have different personalities when it comes to recruiting. Leacock keeps hearing from some media people and in turn the fans about how he is a Wolfpack lock. He definitely likes NC State and his father ran track for the Wolfpack. However, he seems to bristle at the talk and is still eager to see what other schools are interested. Part of this is because he’s still eager to get new offers because he isn’t quite at the level of Rogers’ recruitment yet.
Rogers has every offer he could imagine basically. He’s the opposite of Leacock in that he really doesn’t clamor the attention from social media. He’s flashy with his play but kind of low-key as a person.
NC State could be quietly leading for Rogers some insiders believe, due in part to his connection to Thomas. They are as close as non-blood brothers as I’ve observed over the years. But outside of mentioning NC State, Clemson and Ohio State, he just isn’t talking the recruiting process and was non-committal on whether he’d go to NC State’s big recruiting event March 25, or the spring game April 9.
Thomas checked in at 5-10 1/2 and 182 pounds at the event.
2. Lets talk package deals, part II.
Thomas is trying to reach out to the Charlotte recruits like the junior duo at Chambers High such as running back Daylan Smothers and wide receiver Kevin Concepcion. They are receptive, but that isn’t the package deal they were talking about Sunday. Smothers was at the Rivals camp, but Concepcion was at Florida on an unofficial visit. Smothers and Concepcion want to include Chambers High junior Jordan Thompson into a potential package deal.
When asked, Smothers half-joked:
“That would be smart.”
I’ve mentioned Thompson in the past. He’s a big-play outside linebacker, who probably has the size of a strong safety. It has made his recruiting interesting to follow because I sense colleges don’t know what to do with him at about 5-10 and 191 pounds, which he checked in at camp today.
Smothers and Concepcion have talked often about playing college football together, and share several offers. Add Thompson to the mix, and that is where NC State could have an advantage. Syracuse, Louisville, East Carolina and Charlotte have offered Thompson, but he was part of the Chambers crew that recently went to Florida State for an unofficial visit.
3. So how did Thomas and recent NC State right tackle commit Darion Rivers of West Charlotte (N.C.) High do?
Thomas played to his strengths in that type of setting and threw a smooth, catchable ball and he was accurate. He was one of the smallest quarterbacks in attendance, but that isn’t new. It was telling that Rogers and Thomas specifically made sure they were partners in the one-on-one battles against defensive backs and we’ll have video of a few of their connections.
Rivers showed good quickness in pass protection and he has a good build that is only going to get bigger in time. HIs prep coach Sam Greiner was at the camp and is excited about his long-range future. He checked in at 6-5 1/2 and 250 pounds with a 6-9 1/2 wingspan at the camp.
We'll have an extensive look at the one-on-one reps that Rivers took at right tackle. He didn't try playing at defensive end.
