Current commits:
Three-star receiver Jakolbe Baldwin, Rockingham (N.C.) Richmond County High
Three-star receiver Julian Gray, Huntersville (N.C.) Hopewell High
Three-star cornerback Mario Love Jr., Cornelius (N.C.) Hough High
Three-star running back Caleb McDowell, Leesburg (Ga.) Lee County High
These are the top 50 players ranked in order of the odds we see them ending up at NC State.
1. Linebacker Trevin Wallace, Jesup (Ga.) Wayne County High
As long as it is status quo with Wallace, he will be at the top of the list. The question is will that last long. His intriguing size (6-2, 215 pounds) and athleticism is expected to draw more attention. For now, NC State has to beat out Illinois. He has been timed at 11.09 seconds in the 100-meter dash and 22.84 seconds in the 200, plus he has cleared 6-foot-2 on the high jump and leaped 22-3 in the long jump.
Last week: 1
Projection: NC State
2. Two-star athlete Demie Sumo, Willingboro (N.J.) High
Sumo told us recently that he had a zoom call with the NC State offensive coaches, and from what we understand it may have even included head coach Dave Doeren. That’s a strong sign that Sumo (6-foot, 200 pounds) is being targeted with a committable offer, which was our previous concern about Sumo. NC State is the lone Power Five school on Sumo. In 12 games as a junior, Sumo carried 65 times for 648 yards, averaging almost 10.0 yards per rush, and 11 touchdowns. He also caught 21 passes for 430 yards and eight scores. He averaged 24.8 yards on eight kickoff returns, running one back the distance.
Last week: Unrated
Projection: NC State
3. Three-star offensive tackle Jaleel Davis, Rockingham (N.C.) Richmond County High
The 6-foot-5, 300-pound Davis also has Power Five scholarships from Georgia Tech, Kansas, Maryland South Carolina and Tennessee, although insiders lead us to believe that South Carolina and Tennessee may not be committable. Things still trend well with Davis for NC State.
Last week: 2
Projection: NC State
4. Two-star offensive lineman Thornton Gentry, Chapin (S.C.) High
Gentry has Power Five offers from NC State, Kansas State, Missouri, Syracuse and Virginia Tech, but of that group we would think the only realistic challenger is Virginia Tech. NC State was the 6-foot-5, 280-pounder’s first major offer, and he almost looked like was on the fast track for NCSU. He was going to come to the spring game before everything was canceled.
Last week: 3
Projection: NC State
5. Three-star quarterback Aaron McLaughlin, Alpharetta (Ga.) Denmark High
The 6-foot-5, 215-pounder has from all indications an apparent top three of NC State, Louisville and Miami. Based on how the schools are approaching their recruitments of other quarterbacks and McLaughlin’s patience, we have a hunch this is really a NC State-Miami battle and the holdup may be McLaughlin visiting Miami before deciding. However, we still very much like where the Pack stands. McLaughlin threw for 2,018 yards and 17 touchdowns last year.
Last week: 4
Projection: NC State
6. Three-star linebacker/defensive end Jabril McNeill, Raleigh Sanderson High
We reiterate what we have said before about the 6-foot-4, 225-pound McNeill. Like his brother, NC State junior defensive tackle Alim McNeill, we think that Jabril is going to enjoy the recruiting process. Some may remember that it was not until-late summer that Alim admitted NC State was his favorite, and he didn’t commit until the fall. Later, Alim told us he knew all along he was picking the Wolfpack but wanted to enjoy it. Ultimately, we think it will be difficult to imagine McNeill not going where his brother went. As a junior, McNeill had 35 tackles, including 6.5 for loss and two sacks, in 11 games. He also recovered a pair of fumbles.
Last week: 5
Projection: NC State
7. Three-star linebacker Jordan Poole, Oakboro (N.C.) West Stanly High
We think the 6-foot, 215-pounder is a NC State-Virginia Tech battle, and it’s a close call, but we lean towards the Pack (a little more so than recent weeks). South Carolina is trying to wiggle into the mix. The question for now is how patient Poole will be? We think he is one of the more underrated prospect in the state, and the next few weeks may tell a lot about his future. The absence of a wave of offers may lead to a June decision. The athletic Poole ran 113 times for 1,534 yards and 21 touchdowns on offense (in eight games) and had 36 tackles, including 4.5 for loss, a pick and a forced fumble.
Last week: 6
Projection: NC State
8. Two-star safety Sean Brown, Charlotte (N.C.) Hough High
The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder also has offers from Louisville, Michigan State, Missouri and Wake Forest. As a junior, Brown had 65 tackles, including four for loss and three sacks, in 13 games. He also had a pick. NC State have a commitment from his teammate in the Hough secondary, Mario Love Jr, that should help, but Brown is playing out his recruitment quietly at the moment.
Last week: 10
Projection: NC State
9. Four-star receiver Micah Crowell, Kernersville (N.C.) East Forsyth High
Crowell, 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, confirmed that he will make his decision on June. At the risk of spreading gloom, the vibe we picked up since that announcement is that Wake Forest, and not NC State, may be the team trending at the moment. As a sophomore, Crowell made 25 receptions for 511 yards and seven touchdowns as a sophomore in 15 games while helping East Forsyth to the first of its back-to-back state titles.
Last week: 7
Projection: Wake Forest/NC State (previously just NC State)
10. Long snapper/defensive tackle Jayden Tate, Lincolnton (N.C.) North Lincoln High
Tate has added an offer from South Carolina to join Louisville and NC State. It is worth noting that he has a close relationship with prime Wolfpack target Travali Price (they are practically brothers). NC State and Louisville are recruiting Tate (5-foot-11, 250 pounds) to play defensive tackle, while South Carolina is offering him as a fullback.
Last week: 10
Projection: Unknown
11. Three-star defensive lineman Travali Price, Lincolnton (N.C.) North Lincoln
Price is a national-level recruit, but we think that NC State has positioned itself well thanks in part to the package deal offer with Tate. It is worth noting that Price wants to play with Tate in college. The 6-foot-4, 240-pounder had 84 tackles, including 21 for loss and 5.5 sacks, and 27 quarterback hurries last year.
Last week: 11
Projection: Unknown
12. Three-star defensive end Zyun Reeves, Kernersville (N.C.) East Forsyth High
The 6-6, 240-pounder also has offers from Duke, Florida State, Illinois, South Carolina, Syracuse, Virginia and Virginia Tech, after he had 88 tackles, including 13.5 for loss and 7.5 sacks, last season. He’s also a pretty good basketball player who made all-conference. The early buzz was that NC State and South Carolina were his top two, but the Noles may have made a move up the list..
Last week: 12
Projection: Unknown
Three-star receiver Jakolbe Baldwin, Rockingham (N.C.) Richmond County High
Three-star receiver Julian Gray, Huntersville (N.C.) Hopewell High
Three-star cornerback Mario Love Jr., Cornelius (N.C.) Hough High
Three-star running back Caleb McDowell, Leesburg (Ga.) Lee County High
These are the top 50 players ranked in order of the odds we see them ending up at NC State.
1. Linebacker Trevin Wallace, Jesup (Ga.) Wayne County High
As long as it is status quo with Wallace, he will be at the top of the list. The question is will that last long. His intriguing size (6-2, 215 pounds) and athleticism is expected to draw more attention. For now, NC State has to beat out Illinois. He has been timed at 11.09 seconds in the 100-meter dash and 22.84 seconds in the 200, plus he has cleared 6-foot-2 on the high jump and leaped 22-3 in the long jump.
Last week: 1
Projection: NC State
2. Two-star athlete Demie Sumo, Willingboro (N.J.) High
Sumo told us recently that he had a zoom call with the NC State offensive coaches, and from what we understand it may have even included head coach Dave Doeren. That’s a strong sign that Sumo (6-foot, 200 pounds) is being targeted with a committable offer, which was our previous concern about Sumo. NC State is the lone Power Five school on Sumo. In 12 games as a junior, Sumo carried 65 times for 648 yards, averaging almost 10.0 yards per rush, and 11 touchdowns. He also caught 21 passes for 430 yards and eight scores. He averaged 24.8 yards on eight kickoff returns, running one back the distance.
Last week: Unrated
Projection: NC State
3. Three-star offensive tackle Jaleel Davis, Rockingham (N.C.) Richmond County High
The 6-foot-5, 300-pound Davis also has Power Five scholarships from Georgia Tech, Kansas, Maryland South Carolina and Tennessee, although insiders lead us to believe that South Carolina and Tennessee may not be committable. Things still trend well with Davis for NC State.
Last week: 2
Projection: NC State
4. Two-star offensive lineman Thornton Gentry, Chapin (S.C.) High
Gentry has Power Five offers from NC State, Kansas State, Missouri, Syracuse and Virginia Tech, but of that group we would think the only realistic challenger is Virginia Tech. NC State was the 6-foot-5, 280-pounder’s first major offer, and he almost looked like was on the fast track for NCSU. He was going to come to the spring game before everything was canceled.
Last week: 3
Projection: NC State
5. Three-star quarterback Aaron McLaughlin, Alpharetta (Ga.) Denmark High
The 6-foot-5, 215-pounder has from all indications an apparent top three of NC State, Louisville and Miami. Based on how the schools are approaching their recruitments of other quarterbacks and McLaughlin’s patience, we have a hunch this is really a NC State-Miami battle and the holdup may be McLaughlin visiting Miami before deciding. However, we still very much like where the Pack stands. McLaughlin threw for 2,018 yards and 17 touchdowns last year.
Last week: 4
Projection: NC State
6. Three-star linebacker/defensive end Jabril McNeill, Raleigh Sanderson High
We reiterate what we have said before about the 6-foot-4, 225-pound McNeill. Like his brother, NC State junior defensive tackle Alim McNeill, we think that Jabril is going to enjoy the recruiting process. Some may remember that it was not until-late summer that Alim admitted NC State was his favorite, and he didn’t commit until the fall. Later, Alim told us he knew all along he was picking the Wolfpack but wanted to enjoy it. Ultimately, we think it will be difficult to imagine McNeill not going where his brother went. As a junior, McNeill had 35 tackles, including 6.5 for loss and two sacks, in 11 games. He also recovered a pair of fumbles.
Last week: 5
Projection: NC State
7. Three-star linebacker Jordan Poole, Oakboro (N.C.) West Stanly High
We think the 6-foot, 215-pounder is a NC State-Virginia Tech battle, and it’s a close call, but we lean towards the Pack (a little more so than recent weeks). South Carolina is trying to wiggle into the mix. The question for now is how patient Poole will be? We think he is one of the more underrated prospect in the state, and the next few weeks may tell a lot about his future. The absence of a wave of offers may lead to a June decision. The athletic Poole ran 113 times for 1,534 yards and 21 touchdowns on offense (in eight games) and had 36 tackles, including 4.5 for loss, a pick and a forced fumble.
Last week: 6
Projection: NC State
8. Two-star safety Sean Brown, Charlotte (N.C.) Hough High
The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder also has offers from Louisville, Michigan State, Missouri and Wake Forest. As a junior, Brown had 65 tackles, including four for loss and three sacks, in 13 games. He also had a pick. NC State have a commitment from his teammate in the Hough secondary, Mario Love Jr, that should help, but Brown is playing out his recruitment quietly at the moment.
Last week: 10
Projection: NC State
9. Four-star receiver Micah Crowell, Kernersville (N.C.) East Forsyth High
Crowell, 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, confirmed that he will make his decision on June. At the risk of spreading gloom, the vibe we picked up since that announcement is that Wake Forest, and not NC State, may be the team trending at the moment. As a sophomore, Crowell made 25 receptions for 511 yards and seven touchdowns as a sophomore in 15 games while helping East Forsyth to the first of its back-to-back state titles.
Last week: 7
Projection: Wake Forest/NC State (previously just NC State)
10. Long snapper/defensive tackle Jayden Tate, Lincolnton (N.C.) North Lincoln High
Tate has added an offer from South Carolina to join Louisville and NC State. It is worth noting that he has a close relationship with prime Wolfpack target Travali Price (they are practically brothers). NC State and Louisville are recruiting Tate (5-foot-11, 250 pounds) to play defensive tackle, while South Carolina is offering him as a fullback.
Last week: 10
Projection: Unknown
11. Three-star defensive lineman Travali Price, Lincolnton (N.C.) North Lincoln
Price is a national-level recruit, but we think that NC State has positioned itself well thanks in part to the package deal offer with Tate. It is worth noting that Price wants to play with Tate in college. The 6-foot-4, 240-pounder had 84 tackles, including 21 for loss and 5.5 sacks, and 27 quarterback hurries last year.
Last week: 11
Projection: Unknown
12. Three-star defensive end Zyun Reeves, Kernersville (N.C.) East Forsyth High
The 6-6, 240-pounder also has offers from Duke, Florida State, Illinois, South Carolina, Syracuse, Virginia and Virginia Tech, after he had 88 tackles, including 13.5 for loss and 7.5 sacks, last season. He’s also a pretty good basketball player who made all-conference. The early buzz was that NC State and South Carolina were his top two, but the Noles may have made a move up the list..
Last week: 12
Projection: Unknown
