It’s been a slower start to the recruiting cycle in the 2022 class, but we are far enough along now to begin making projections on mock classes.
For now, we are going with a size of 15 signees, but admittedly that is guesswork at this point. We decided to have eight on offense and seven on defense.
Here is a look at the offensive side of the ball, broken down by position.
QB — Four-star MJ Morris, Atlanta (Ga.) Pace Academy
We could find out very soon if our first mock class was correct or not with the quarterback position. Georgia Tech and Nebraska are also in the mix for the 6-foot-2, 195-pounder, and the rumors are that a decision will come this week. We like where NC State is positioned, but the chatter has quieted down on all fronts with Morris as the decision gets closer.
For the moment, Morris is the only quarterback NC State is recruiting with an offer from the Wolfpack.
This past year, Morris moved from Carrollton (Ga.) High to Pace Academy in Atlanta and in eight games completed 80 of 133 passes for 1,180 yards and 14 scores with three picks. There are rumors that Morris may transfer back to Carrollton for his senior campaign.
RB — Four-star Michael Allen, Greenville (N.C.) Rose High
Since last fall there were rumors that NC State had Allen at the top of its board at running back, and it has sure recruited Allen that way.
Allen, 5-foot-9, 190 pounds, has said that playing time will be important to him, and also that proximity will be key. Both line up nicely for NC State, which has signed just one running back in the past two classes combined.
UNC is also a strong factor, but it has been more active recruiting running backs recently and also is strongly in the mix for four-star Omarion Hampton from Cleveland High in Clayton, N.C.. East Carolina, the hometown school, is the other team to watch.
Allen is a legit sub-4.5 seconds speed in the 40-yard dash sprinter who has also shown a nearly 40-inch vertical leap in combines. He ran 128 times for 906 yards and 11 touchdowns and caught 24 passes for 284 yards and five scores in 2019. He only played two games this spring with a torn meniscus.
RB — Transfer
We leave this spot open under the opinion that NC State will try to land multiple running backs in this class, but would save a spot for a transfer if it landed Allen. Recent history suggests that the running back position is one where the options in the transfer portal are more aplenty.
WR — Wesley Grimes, Raleigh (N.C.) Millbrook High
One of the gambles we make in our initial mock class is we project two receiver signees, and there is a chance that NC State ends up with just one. The Pack typically likes to play its numbers game close to the vest and allow for flexibility.
Grimes, 6-foot-3, 180 pounds, had a breakout junior season with 44 catches for 872 yards and 13 touchdowns. NC State has made the local product a big priority, and he is familiar with several players on the team. Appalachian State, Duke, Louisville, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Wake Forest and Wisconsin have also offered.
WR — Three-star Mehki Wall, Greensboro (N.C.) Dudley High
This is where we gamble and add a second receiver to the class. In our opinion, Grimes and Wall complement each other well, and both have big interest in NC State. Wall has the added benefit of being on the better kick returners in recent history among in-state high school products. The 5-foot-10, 165-pounder has returned seven kicks (five punts and two kickoffs) for scores over the past three years.
As a junior, Wall added 31 receptions for 459 yards and five touchdowns from his receiver position, although those numbers were down from a breakout sophomore campaign in which Wall made 42 grabs for 812 yards and eight scores.
OL — Three-star Rylan Vann, Cary (N.C.) High
The 6-foot-1, 270-pounder has already committed to NC State and is projected to play center.
OL — Three-star Isaiah Montgomery, Virginia Beach (Va.) Landstown High
This is a tough spot, as we currently think Pittsburgh is in a leadership position with Montgomery. We also considered four-star Nick Williams from North Augusta (S.C.) Fox Creek and three-star Andre Roye from St. Frances in Baltimore for this position. Both Roye and Montgomery have hinted that NC State is in their top five or four, respectively.
OL — Transfer
We are going to go on a hunch that NC State will mine for offensive tackle transfer this offseason to help replenish some of the losses on the line.
For now, we are going with a size of 15 signees, but admittedly that is guesswork at this point. We decided to have eight on offense and seven on defense.
Here is a look at the offensive side of the ball, broken down by position.
QB — Four-star MJ Morris, Atlanta (Ga.) Pace Academy
We could find out very soon if our first mock class was correct or not with the quarterback position. Georgia Tech and Nebraska are also in the mix for the 6-foot-2, 195-pounder, and the rumors are that a decision will come this week. We like where NC State is positioned, but the chatter has quieted down on all fronts with Morris as the decision gets closer.
For the moment, Morris is the only quarterback NC State is recruiting with an offer from the Wolfpack.
This past year, Morris moved from Carrollton (Ga.) High to Pace Academy in Atlanta and in eight games completed 80 of 133 passes for 1,180 yards and 14 scores with three picks. There are rumors that Morris may transfer back to Carrollton for his senior campaign.
RB — Four-star Michael Allen, Greenville (N.C.) Rose High
Since last fall there were rumors that NC State had Allen at the top of its board at running back, and it has sure recruited Allen that way.
Allen, 5-foot-9, 190 pounds, has said that playing time will be important to him, and also that proximity will be key. Both line up nicely for NC State, which has signed just one running back in the past two classes combined.
UNC is also a strong factor, but it has been more active recruiting running backs recently and also is strongly in the mix for four-star Omarion Hampton from Cleveland High in Clayton, N.C.. East Carolina, the hometown school, is the other team to watch.
Allen is a legit sub-4.5 seconds speed in the 40-yard dash sprinter who has also shown a nearly 40-inch vertical leap in combines. He ran 128 times for 906 yards and 11 touchdowns and caught 24 passes for 284 yards and five scores in 2019. He only played two games this spring with a torn meniscus.
RB — Transfer
We leave this spot open under the opinion that NC State will try to land multiple running backs in this class, but would save a spot for a transfer if it landed Allen. Recent history suggests that the running back position is one where the options in the transfer portal are more aplenty.
WR — Wesley Grimes, Raleigh (N.C.) Millbrook High
One of the gambles we make in our initial mock class is we project two receiver signees, and there is a chance that NC State ends up with just one. The Pack typically likes to play its numbers game close to the vest and allow for flexibility.
Grimes, 6-foot-3, 180 pounds, had a breakout junior season with 44 catches for 872 yards and 13 touchdowns. NC State has made the local product a big priority, and he is familiar with several players on the team. Appalachian State, Duke, Louisville, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Wake Forest and Wisconsin have also offered.
WR — Three-star Mehki Wall, Greensboro (N.C.) Dudley High
This is where we gamble and add a second receiver to the class. In our opinion, Grimes and Wall complement each other well, and both have big interest in NC State. Wall has the added benefit of being on the better kick returners in recent history among in-state high school products. The 5-foot-10, 165-pounder has returned seven kicks (five punts and two kickoffs) for scores over the past three years.
As a junior, Wall added 31 receptions for 459 yards and five touchdowns from his receiver position, although those numbers were down from a breakout sophomore campaign in which Wall made 42 grabs for 812 yards and eight scores.
OL — Three-star Rylan Vann, Cary (N.C.) High
The 6-foot-1, 270-pounder has already committed to NC State and is projected to play center.
OL — Three-star Isaiah Montgomery, Virginia Beach (Va.) Landstown High
This is a tough spot, as we currently think Pittsburgh is in a leadership position with Montgomery. We also considered four-star Nick Williams from North Augusta (S.C.) Fox Creek and three-star Andre Roye from St. Frances in Baltimore for this position. Both Roye and Montgomery have hinted that NC State is in their top five or four, respectively.
OL — Transfer
We are going to go on a hunch that NC State will mine for offensive tackle transfer this offseason to help replenish some of the losses on the line.
