NC State has verbal commitments from the following prospects:
Three-star offensive tackle Austin Blaske, Bloomingdale (Ga.) South Effingham High
Three-star defensive back Devan Boykin, Greensboro (N.C.) Ragsdale High
Three-star quarterback Ben Finley, Phoenix (Ariz.) Paradise Valley High
Three-star offensive lineman Ethan Lane, Lawrenceville (Ga.) Archer High
Three-star receiver Nate McCollum, Hampton (Ga.) Dutchtown High
Four-star receiver Porter Rooks, Charlotte Myers Park High
Three-star defensive tackle Jaylen Smith, Ahoskie (N.C.) Hertford County High
Three-star defensive back Aydan White, Asheville (N.C.) Christ School
Here is a listing of the top 30 prospects in the order that we think they are likely to pick NC State.
1. Defensive tackle Davin Vann, Cary (N.C.) High
This one sure feels imminent and soon. The 6-foot-2, 270-pounder also has an offer from Louisville, but NC State was the one he has wanted. He got the offer last week.
Last week: Unrated
Projection: NC State
2. Two-star tight end Ezemdi Udoh, Fayetteville (N.C.) Terry Sanford High
Udoh (6-foot-5, 225 pounds) was offered by NC State this week. Although he had very early claimed offers from Tennessee and Virginia, we don’t know how valid they are now. Udoh though is not in a hurry, so nothing is imminent here.
Last week: Unrated
Projection: NC State
3. Three-star wide receiver Stephen Gosnell, Pilot Mountain (N.C.) East Surry High
Gosnell (6-foot-2, 190 pounds) is expected to visit NC State very soon, and he has made repeated visits in the past to Raleigh. The competition here is Wake Forest, and we don’t discount the Deacons, who have proximity and the momentum of one of its best recruiting classes ever on its side. That said, we like the Pack’s chances. On a sidenote, Gosnell may be at a new high school next fall in Virginia.
Last week: 1
Projection: NC State
4. Three-star linebacker Jayland Parker, Macon (Ga.) Westside High
The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder has scheduled official visits for Colorado, Pittsburgh and NC State (in that order) and should make a decision July 1. He made an official visit to Purdue last weekend. Ever since we talked with him we felt like NC State was in a very good position with the only question being would Mohamed Kaba from Clinton (N.C.) High take the linebacker spot before Parker. Kaba of course has picked South Carolina.
Last week: 3
Projection: NC State
5. Three-star offensive tackle Jonathan Adorno, Rolesville (N.C.) High
The 6-foot-4, 290-pounder has an offer list that includes Duke, NC State, North Carolina, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest. We maintain that the two schools most under consideration are UNC and NC State. One factor that could sway it towards NCSU is that Adorno has been pretty consistent about wanting an engineering degree in college. One source added to us last week that they though Adorno seemed likely for NC State.
Last week: 4
Projection: NC State
6. Three-star offensive lineman Sean Hill, Brookwood (Ga.) Snellville High
The 6-foot-3, 300-pound Hill made two unofficial visits to NC State in less than two months. He has added eight Power Five offers since May, but the Pack still looks like it is in good shape.
Last week: 5
Projection: NC State
7. Two-star offensive lineman Alex Atcavage, Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy
The 6-foot-5, 285-pounder left a distinct impression with us that NC State was in excellent shape when we interviewed him earlier in May. That said, we noted last week that Minnesota could be emerging as the top competition and that seems to be bearing out. In fact, the Gophers could be on equal footing here. Atcavage is unofficially visiting NC State this weekend.
Last week: 6
Projection: NC State
8. Three-star safety Nehki Meredith, Virginia Beach (Va.) Bishop Sullivan
The 5-foot-11, 175-pounder (might be a generous listing height wise from what we are told) rose high on our list after we talked to him a few weeks ago. TCU and Virginia Tech are probably the top competition here, and more so the Horned Frogs. The Pack has been the flavor of the month for Meredith. Will that hold in June?
Last week: 7
Projection: NC State
9. Three-star defensive tackle Henry Bryant, Delray Beach (Fla.) Atlantic High
Bryant takes a dip thanks to the recent offer to Vann and our current working assumption that there would not be room for a third defensive tackle in this class. All things being equal, we think the Pack would be a strong favorite. He just made an official visit to Louisville and will take one to Pittsburgh in June. Those two schools could be top challengers.
Last week: 2
Projection: NC State (subject to change if/when Vann decides)
10. Three-star offensive lineman Anthony Carter, Matthews (N.C.) Butler High
Carter (6-foot-4, 295 pounds) was very impressive to us at the Rivals Camp. NC State is pushing hard as they are with several other offensive lineman, but Carter has been very quiet on the recruiting trail. To show you how low-key Carter has been, he seemed most excited about Duke when we talked with him in April, and on his top 11 yesterday Duke was not to be found. The Pack may in fact be the most consistent team with Carter over the past couple of months.
Last week: 11
Projection: Unknown
11. Three-star tight end Matt Hibner, Burke (Va.) Lake Braddock High
This ranking became suddenly complicated when Hibner was offered by Michigan last week. Until then it was shaping up nicely as a NC State-Virginia Tech race with Vanderbilt and Georgia Tech also in the mix. Then after the Michigan offer came Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Arizona State and Maryland. Hence things may be slowing down with Hibner.
Last week: 10
Projection: NC State/Virginia Tech
12. Three-star offensive lineman T.J. Lawson, Fort Washington (Md.) National Christian Academy
A source told us that the 6-foot-5, 280-pounder is now favoring Louisville, but he will be taking back-to-back official visits to North Carolina (this weekend) and NC State (weekend after).
Last week: 9
Projection: Louisville (previously NC State)
13. Three-star defensive back Joseph Johnson, Richmond (Va.) Life Christian Academy
NC State is clearly not giving up on the 6-foot-3, 180-pound Johnson and has some strong supporters in his inner circle and family. We would not be surprised if Johnson makes it back down to Raleigh for another visit. That said, it’s unusual for a prospect to come full circle. Johnson will announce his new decision July 4. We could see it being Penn State but a lot can (and probably will) change between now and then. He is officially visiting Texas A&M this weekend.
Last week: 12
Projection: Penn State (previously unknown)
14. Four-star defensive end Desmond Evans, Sanford (N.C.) Lee County High
There seems to be fairly unanimous consensus on Evans. It’s shaping up as a NC State-UNC battle with South Carolina the wildcard and the Heels probably having the edge for the 6-foot-6, 240-pound pass rusher. UNC has done a good job of coalescing a lot of support around the Lee County High community, we understand.
Last week: 14
Projection: UNC
15. Three-star receiver Antonio Barber, Cornelius (N.C.) Hough High
Barber (6-2, 185 pounds) has made no secret of his love for NC State, and the Pack in returns likes Barber’s talent (which is undeniable). The next step in this recruitment may be to see what Barber’s transcripts look like after his transfer to Hough High from Rock Hill (S.C.) High. However, we must admit we think odds are slipping of a Barber-NC State marriage.
Last week: 13
Projection: Unknown
Three-star offensive tackle Austin Blaske, Bloomingdale (Ga.) South Effingham High
Three-star defensive back Devan Boykin, Greensboro (N.C.) Ragsdale High
Three-star quarterback Ben Finley, Phoenix (Ariz.) Paradise Valley High
Three-star offensive lineman Ethan Lane, Lawrenceville (Ga.) Archer High
Three-star receiver Nate McCollum, Hampton (Ga.) Dutchtown High
Four-star receiver Porter Rooks, Charlotte Myers Park High
Three-star defensive tackle Jaylen Smith, Ahoskie (N.C.) Hertford County High
Three-star defensive back Aydan White, Asheville (N.C.) Christ School
Here is a listing of the top 30 prospects in the order that we think they are likely to pick NC State.
1. Defensive tackle Davin Vann, Cary (N.C.) High
This one sure feels imminent and soon. The 6-foot-2, 270-pounder also has an offer from Louisville, but NC State was the one he has wanted. He got the offer last week.
Last week: Unrated
Projection: NC State
2. Two-star tight end Ezemdi Udoh, Fayetteville (N.C.) Terry Sanford High
Udoh (6-foot-5, 225 pounds) was offered by NC State this week. Although he had very early claimed offers from Tennessee and Virginia, we don’t know how valid they are now. Udoh though is not in a hurry, so nothing is imminent here.
Last week: Unrated
Projection: NC State
3. Three-star wide receiver Stephen Gosnell, Pilot Mountain (N.C.) East Surry High
Gosnell (6-foot-2, 190 pounds) is expected to visit NC State very soon, and he has made repeated visits in the past to Raleigh. The competition here is Wake Forest, and we don’t discount the Deacons, who have proximity and the momentum of one of its best recruiting classes ever on its side. That said, we like the Pack’s chances. On a sidenote, Gosnell may be at a new high school next fall in Virginia.
Last week: 1
Projection: NC State
4. Three-star linebacker Jayland Parker, Macon (Ga.) Westside High
The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder has scheduled official visits for Colorado, Pittsburgh and NC State (in that order) and should make a decision July 1. He made an official visit to Purdue last weekend. Ever since we talked with him we felt like NC State was in a very good position with the only question being would Mohamed Kaba from Clinton (N.C.) High take the linebacker spot before Parker. Kaba of course has picked South Carolina.
Last week: 3
Projection: NC State
5. Three-star offensive tackle Jonathan Adorno, Rolesville (N.C.) High
The 6-foot-4, 290-pounder has an offer list that includes Duke, NC State, North Carolina, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest. We maintain that the two schools most under consideration are UNC and NC State. One factor that could sway it towards NCSU is that Adorno has been pretty consistent about wanting an engineering degree in college. One source added to us last week that they though Adorno seemed likely for NC State.
Last week: 4
Projection: NC State
6. Three-star offensive lineman Sean Hill, Brookwood (Ga.) Snellville High
The 6-foot-3, 300-pound Hill made two unofficial visits to NC State in less than two months. He has added eight Power Five offers since May, but the Pack still looks like it is in good shape.
Last week: 5
Projection: NC State
7. Two-star offensive lineman Alex Atcavage, Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy
The 6-foot-5, 285-pounder left a distinct impression with us that NC State was in excellent shape when we interviewed him earlier in May. That said, we noted last week that Minnesota could be emerging as the top competition and that seems to be bearing out. In fact, the Gophers could be on equal footing here. Atcavage is unofficially visiting NC State this weekend.
Last week: 6
Projection: NC State
8. Three-star safety Nehki Meredith, Virginia Beach (Va.) Bishop Sullivan
The 5-foot-11, 175-pounder (might be a generous listing height wise from what we are told) rose high on our list after we talked to him a few weeks ago. TCU and Virginia Tech are probably the top competition here, and more so the Horned Frogs. The Pack has been the flavor of the month for Meredith. Will that hold in June?
Last week: 7
Projection: NC State
9. Three-star defensive tackle Henry Bryant, Delray Beach (Fla.) Atlantic High
Bryant takes a dip thanks to the recent offer to Vann and our current working assumption that there would not be room for a third defensive tackle in this class. All things being equal, we think the Pack would be a strong favorite. He just made an official visit to Louisville and will take one to Pittsburgh in June. Those two schools could be top challengers.
Last week: 2
Projection: NC State (subject to change if/when Vann decides)
10. Three-star offensive lineman Anthony Carter, Matthews (N.C.) Butler High
Carter (6-foot-4, 295 pounds) was very impressive to us at the Rivals Camp. NC State is pushing hard as they are with several other offensive lineman, but Carter has been very quiet on the recruiting trail. To show you how low-key Carter has been, he seemed most excited about Duke when we talked with him in April, and on his top 11 yesterday Duke was not to be found. The Pack may in fact be the most consistent team with Carter over the past couple of months.
Last week: 11
Projection: Unknown
11. Three-star tight end Matt Hibner, Burke (Va.) Lake Braddock High
This ranking became suddenly complicated when Hibner was offered by Michigan last week. Until then it was shaping up nicely as a NC State-Virginia Tech race with Vanderbilt and Georgia Tech also in the mix. Then after the Michigan offer came Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Arizona State and Maryland. Hence things may be slowing down with Hibner.
Last week: 10
Projection: NC State/Virginia Tech
12. Three-star offensive lineman T.J. Lawson, Fort Washington (Md.) National Christian Academy
A source told us that the 6-foot-5, 280-pounder is now favoring Louisville, but he will be taking back-to-back official visits to North Carolina (this weekend) and NC State (weekend after).
Last week: 9
Projection: Louisville (previously NC State)
13. Three-star defensive back Joseph Johnson, Richmond (Va.) Life Christian Academy
NC State is clearly not giving up on the 6-foot-3, 180-pound Johnson and has some strong supporters in his inner circle and family. We would not be surprised if Johnson makes it back down to Raleigh for another visit. That said, it’s unusual for a prospect to come full circle. Johnson will announce his new decision July 4. We could see it being Penn State but a lot can (and probably will) change between now and then. He is officially visiting Texas A&M this weekend.
Last week: 12
Projection: Penn State (previously unknown)
14. Four-star defensive end Desmond Evans, Sanford (N.C.) Lee County High
There seems to be fairly unanimous consensus on Evans. It’s shaping up as a NC State-UNC battle with South Carolina the wildcard and the Heels probably having the edge for the 6-foot-6, 240-pound pass rusher. UNC has done a good job of coalescing a lot of support around the Lee County High community, we understand.
Last week: 14
Projection: UNC
15. Three-star receiver Antonio Barber, Cornelius (N.C.) Hough High
Barber (6-2, 185 pounds) has made no secret of his love for NC State, and the Pack in returns likes Barber’s talent (which is undeniable). The next step in this recruitment may be to see what Barber’s transcripts look like after his transfer to Hough High from Rock Hill (S.C.) High. However, we must admit we think odds are slipping of a Barber-NC State marriage.
Last week: 13
Projection: Unknown
