Here is a list of the top 35 prospects on NC State’s recruiting board in order of our opinion of the likelihood that NC State will land the recruit. It does not reflect the opinion of NC State’s football staff and is for discussion purposes only.
1. LB LaRonde’ Liverpool, Virginia Beach (Va.) Landstown
Liverpool tweeted out this week that his decision was coming soon, and we have confirmed that he is a take for the Wolfpack. Virginia and Wake Forest have offered, but we have long sensed that State had a sizeable lead on them every time we have talked with Liverpool.
Previous ranking: 11
Prediction: NC State
2. OL Ashton Julious, Scranton (Pa.) Lackawanna JC
A lot of signs point towards NC State in this one, but junior college offers can come in waves and bunches so there is still much to play out with Julious. He is a native of Florence, S.C., so the Pack has decent proximity in its favor in addition to a good relationship with Lackawanna that dates back two previous coaching staffs.
Previous ranking: Unrated
Prediction: NC State
3. WR Chavis Dawkins, Duncan (S.C.) Byrnes
After talking with him this week, we definitely picked up a sense that Dawkins is hoping to pick up more offers during the evaluation period, but he also said he does not plan on camping anywhere this summer, which is often key to getting more offers. If he were to decide today, we think NC State edges Wake Forest, his two major offers.
Previous ranking: 4
Prediction: NC State
4. OT Patrick Kearns, Rome (Ga.) Darlington
Kearns is an intriguing prospect who has gained a lot of size to reach 6-foot-5, 275 pounds in recent months. Thus far, NCSU and Syracuse are Kearns major offers, and it is difficult to imagine a Georgia-native picking the Orange over State.
Previous ranking: Unrated
Prediction: NC State
5. DE Jimmie Taylor, Jacksonville (N.C.) SW Onslow
Sources have indicated to us that Taylor was hoping to announce a decision by the end of the month, and that NCSU was in a good spot. However, a recent Michigan offer could change things. We held Taylor up high but that could change depending on the seriousness of the Wolverines offer and mutual interest from Taylor.
Previous ranking: 14
Prediction: NC State (previously Tennessee)
6. TE Garrett Walston, Wilmington (N.C.) New Hanover
Cautious optimism around NCSU would be the best way to describe how they feel about Walston, but no one is discounting UNC either. Georgia looms, especially if Walston takes a visit there, but for the moment we are sticking with our NCSU projection.
Previous ranking: 7
Prediction: NC State
7. DB Carlos Becker, Kissimmee (Fla.) Osceola
The big riser in this edition. Becker was one of the first five out last week, but recent reports indicate that NC State may be the leader for this heavily recruited prospect who is leaning towards leaving the state of Florida for college.
Previous ranking: Unrated
Prediction: NC State
8. DT Dexter Lawrence, Wake Forest (N.C.) High
Information on Lawrence is going to be hard to get as he is very low-key. Our best guess today is that Lawrence will end up at NC State, Clemson or an SEC school. We are sticking with our NCSU projection for now.
Previous ranking: 10
Prediction: NC State
9. LB Donta Evans, Lawrenceville (Ga.) Archer
Both Tim Glass and Kobe Smith told us that they thought their friend Evans would join them at NC State. We still think Evans wants some big-name offers from SEC schools or Ohio State, but short of those the Pack is in a good spot.
Previous ranking: 19
Prediction: NC State (previously Auburn)
10. CB Mark Gilbert, Fayetteville (N.C.) Terry Sanford
NC State loves Gilbert and has been aggressive recruiting him, but his stock just steadily rises and thus it would not surprise us if Gilbert remains patient with his recruitment. For now we are holding with our NC State projection.
Previous ranking: 8
Prediction: NC State
11. S Isaiah Stallings, Fayetteville (N.C.) Terry Sanford
The key for NC State with Stallings may be Gilbert, although we do not believe Clemson is aggressively recruiting Stallings and not sure UNC is either, which would open the door for the Pack.
Previous ranking: 18
Prediction: NC State (previously North Carolina)
12. DB Joe Jay Smith, Bethlehem (Pa.) Catholic
We were told by one source that Smith is close to committing to NC State, so this ranking could be way too low. He also has offers from Boston College and Wake Forest. The reason we have Smith at No. 13 is because numbers are real tight at defensive back
Previous ranking: 6
Prediction: NC State
13. TE Dylan Autenrieth, Dallas (Ga.) North Paulding
Pack is looking to take two tight ends in this class and offered Autenrieth this week. He has been sitting on an offer from Pitt for a while. NCSU is his second major offer.
Previous ranking: Unrated
Prediction: NC State/Pittsburgh
14. S Roy Baker, Hialeah (Fla.) American
We are still trying to figure out how high Baker is on NCSU’s board. If the Pack aggressively courts him, then Baker should probably be higher on the list.
Previous ranking: 2
Prediction: Buffalo/NC State
15. CB Tyric McCarter, New Bern (N.C.) High
McCarter has an offer from NCSU, but due to the defensive back board we get the sense that the Pack may have backed off a little here. Thus we dropped him.
Previous ranking: 1
Prediction: Charlotte (previously NC State)
16. CB Emmanuel Appiah, Oradell (N.J.) Bergen Catholic
See McCarter
Previous ranking: 3
Prediction: Army (previously NC State)
17. ATH Eddie Hahn, Red Bank (N.J.) Catholic
See Baker (No. 14)
Previous ranking: 5
Prediction: Connecticut (previously NC State)
18. TE Robert Tucker, Atlanta B.E.S.T. Academy
It has been tough to get up with Tucker but the vibe was that Tucker’s top two schools have been NC State and Wake Forest, with the Deacs in the lead.
Previous ranking: 13
Prediction: Wake Forest
19. LB Brandon Randle, Battle Creek (Mich.) Central
Randle admitted in a local newspaper story dated May 1 that he grew up a big Michigan State fan and thus the Spartans are his favorite. However, he also told us that if his mom seriously wanted him to play in the Raleigh-area in college, he would strongly consider it.
Previous ranking: 17
Prediction: Michigan State
20. DE Patrick Jones, Chesapeake (Va.) Grassfield
Duke and NC State seem to be the two schools recruiting Jones the hardest. We got the vibe from talking with Jones that Duke might be the team to beat here. Also, if the Pack lands Taylor this month that could end defensive end recruiting.
Previous ranking: 29
Prediction: Duke
21. LB Brock Miller, Fort Pierce (Fla.) John Carroll
NC State visited Miller’s high school this week. We dropped Miller a little bit because there were recent conflicting reports from his previously consistent interviews stating that NC State and Kentucky were his two favorites.
Previous ranking: 12
Prediction: Kentucky
22. Wide receiver Eric Kumah, Woodbridge (Va.) Forest Park
This is a sleeper in the top 35. We still think Kumah ends up at Virginia Tech, but we are not as certain as others that it’s a lock for the Hokies.
Previous ranking: 25
Prediction: Virginia Tech
23. TE Andrew Trainer, Alexandria (Va.) St. Stephens & St. Agnes
Trainer really impressed us at the Rivals camp in Richmond. He has taken multiple visits to NC State, so the Pack is a player here, but we are sticking with our Virginia projection.
Previous ranking: 34
Prediction: Virginia
24. OL Michael Carney, Norfolk (Va.) Lake Taylor
Carney was a reported recent offer, but Virginia has a sizeable lead to work with here.
Previous ranking: Unrated
Prediction: Virginia
25. Wide receiver Diondre Overton, Greensboro (N.C.) Page
NC State continues to run third but not out of the picture for Overton. Clemson leads Tennessee. NCSU needs to make a strong impression this summer.
Previous ranking: 20
Prediction: Clemson
26. WR Myles Dorn, Charlotte Vance
As we said last time, it is simply hard to imagine Dorn not ending up at UNC with all his family connections there, especially now that receiver Kyran Bowman of Havelock High has decommitted from the Heels.
Previous ranking: 21
Prediction: North Carolina
27. LB Xander Gagnon, Charlotte Catholic
Gagnon is a hard one to get a read on because he has not done interviews. Truth is he could deserve to be higher on this list or not on it at all.
Previous ranking: 22
Prediction: Unknown
28. DE Tomon Fox, Suwannee (Ga.) Collins Hill
Fox in the spring proclaimed a top three of Georgia Tech, North Carolina and Tennessee, but he has also taken an unofficial visit to NCSU and has some connections to current commitments in the class, giving the Wolfpack a shot.
Previous ranking: Unrated
Prediction: Unknown
29. TE Noah Turner, Mundelain (Ill.) Carmel Catholic
Turner visited NC State unofficially this spring, but he has said in a recent report on Rivals.com that UNC was his leader, an unsurprising development to us after our conversation with Turner following his visit.
Previous ranking: 35
Prediction: North Carolina (previously unknown)
30. OT Justin Witt, New Lenox (Ill.) Lincoln-Way West
There have been conflicting reports on whether or not Witt has an offer from NCSU, but he is expected to visit for a one-day camp over the summer.
Previous ranking: Unrated
Prediction: Unknown
1. LB LaRonde’ Liverpool, Virginia Beach (Va.) Landstown
Liverpool tweeted out this week that his decision was coming soon, and we have confirmed that he is a take for the Wolfpack. Virginia and Wake Forest have offered, but we have long sensed that State had a sizeable lead on them every time we have talked with Liverpool.
Previous ranking: 11
Prediction: NC State
2. OL Ashton Julious, Scranton (Pa.) Lackawanna JC
A lot of signs point towards NC State in this one, but junior college offers can come in waves and bunches so there is still much to play out with Julious. He is a native of Florence, S.C., so the Pack has decent proximity in its favor in addition to a good relationship with Lackawanna that dates back two previous coaching staffs.
Previous ranking: Unrated
Prediction: NC State
3. WR Chavis Dawkins, Duncan (S.C.) Byrnes
After talking with him this week, we definitely picked up a sense that Dawkins is hoping to pick up more offers during the evaluation period, but he also said he does not plan on camping anywhere this summer, which is often key to getting more offers. If he were to decide today, we think NC State edges Wake Forest, his two major offers.
Previous ranking: 4
Prediction: NC State
4. OT Patrick Kearns, Rome (Ga.) Darlington
Kearns is an intriguing prospect who has gained a lot of size to reach 6-foot-5, 275 pounds in recent months. Thus far, NCSU and Syracuse are Kearns major offers, and it is difficult to imagine a Georgia-native picking the Orange over State.
Previous ranking: Unrated
Prediction: NC State
5. DE Jimmie Taylor, Jacksonville (N.C.) SW Onslow
Sources have indicated to us that Taylor was hoping to announce a decision by the end of the month, and that NCSU was in a good spot. However, a recent Michigan offer could change things. We held Taylor up high but that could change depending on the seriousness of the Wolverines offer and mutual interest from Taylor.
Previous ranking: 14
Prediction: NC State (previously Tennessee)
6. TE Garrett Walston, Wilmington (N.C.) New Hanover
Cautious optimism around NCSU would be the best way to describe how they feel about Walston, but no one is discounting UNC either. Georgia looms, especially if Walston takes a visit there, but for the moment we are sticking with our NCSU projection.
Previous ranking: 7
Prediction: NC State
7. DB Carlos Becker, Kissimmee (Fla.) Osceola
The big riser in this edition. Becker was one of the first five out last week, but recent reports indicate that NC State may be the leader for this heavily recruited prospect who is leaning towards leaving the state of Florida for college.
Previous ranking: Unrated
Prediction: NC State
8. DT Dexter Lawrence, Wake Forest (N.C.) High
Information on Lawrence is going to be hard to get as he is very low-key. Our best guess today is that Lawrence will end up at NC State, Clemson or an SEC school. We are sticking with our NCSU projection for now.
Previous ranking: 10
Prediction: NC State
9. LB Donta Evans, Lawrenceville (Ga.) Archer
Both Tim Glass and Kobe Smith told us that they thought their friend Evans would join them at NC State. We still think Evans wants some big-name offers from SEC schools or Ohio State, but short of those the Pack is in a good spot.
Previous ranking: 19
Prediction: NC State (previously Auburn)
10. CB Mark Gilbert, Fayetteville (N.C.) Terry Sanford
NC State loves Gilbert and has been aggressive recruiting him, but his stock just steadily rises and thus it would not surprise us if Gilbert remains patient with his recruitment. For now we are holding with our NC State projection.
Previous ranking: 8
Prediction: NC State
11. S Isaiah Stallings, Fayetteville (N.C.) Terry Sanford
The key for NC State with Stallings may be Gilbert, although we do not believe Clemson is aggressively recruiting Stallings and not sure UNC is either, which would open the door for the Pack.
Previous ranking: 18
Prediction: NC State (previously North Carolina)
12. DB Joe Jay Smith, Bethlehem (Pa.) Catholic
We were told by one source that Smith is close to committing to NC State, so this ranking could be way too low. He also has offers from Boston College and Wake Forest. The reason we have Smith at No. 13 is because numbers are real tight at defensive back
Previous ranking: 6
Prediction: NC State
13. TE Dylan Autenrieth, Dallas (Ga.) North Paulding
Pack is looking to take two tight ends in this class and offered Autenrieth this week. He has been sitting on an offer from Pitt for a while. NCSU is his second major offer.
Previous ranking: Unrated
Prediction: NC State/Pittsburgh
14. S Roy Baker, Hialeah (Fla.) American
We are still trying to figure out how high Baker is on NCSU’s board. If the Pack aggressively courts him, then Baker should probably be higher on the list.
Previous ranking: 2
Prediction: Buffalo/NC State
15. CB Tyric McCarter, New Bern (N.C.) High
McCarter has an offer from NCSU, but due to the defensive back board we get the sense that the Pack may have backed off a little here. Thus we dropped him.
Previous ranking: 1
Prediction: Charlotte (previously NC State)
16. CB Emmanuel Appiah, Oradell (N.J.) Bergen Catholic
See McCarter
Previous ranking: 3
Prediction: Army (previously NC State)
17. ATH Eddie Hahn, Red Bank (N.J.) Catholic
See Baker (No. 14)
Previous ranking: 5
Prediction: Connecticut (previously NC State)
18. TE Robert Tucker, Atlanta B.E.S.T. Academy
It has been tough to get up with Tucker but the vibe was that Tucker’s top two schools have been NC State and Wake Forest, with the Deacs in the lead.
Previous ranking: 13
Prediction: Wake Forest
19. LB Brandon Randle, Battle Creek (Mich.) Central
Randle admitted in a local newspaper story dated May 1 that he grew up a big Michigan State fan and thus the Spartans are his favorite. However, he also told us that if his mom seriously wanted him to play in the Raleigh-area in college, he would strongly consider it.
Previous ranking: 17
Prediction: Michigan State
20. DE Patrick Jones, Chesapeake (Va.) Grassfield
Duke and NC State seem to be the two schools recruiting Jones the hardest. We got the vibe from talking with Jones that Duke might be the team to beat here. Also, if the Pack lands Taylor this month that could end defensive end recruiting.
Previous ranking: 29
Prediction: Duke
21. LB Brock Miller, Fort Pierce (Fla.) John Carroll
NC State visited Miller’s high school this week. We dropped Miller a little bit because there were recent conflicting reports from his previously consistent interviews stating that NC State and Kentucky were his two favorites.
Previous ranking: 12
Prediction: Kentucky
22. Wide receiver Eric Kumah, Woodbridge (Va.) Forest Park
This is a sleeper in the top 35. We still think Kumah ends up at Virginia Tech, but we are not as certain as others that it’s a lock for the Hokies.
Previous ranking: 25
Prediction: Virginia Tech
23. TE Andrew Trainer, Alexandria (Va.) St. Stephens & St. Agnes
Trainer really impressed us at the Rivals camp in Richmond. He has taken multiple visits to NC State, so the Pack is a player here, but we are sticking with our Virginia projection.
Previous ranking: 34
Prediction: Virginia
24. OL Michael Carney, Norfolk (Va.) Lake Taylor
Carney was a reported recent offer, but Virginia has a sizeable lead to work with here.
Previous ranking: Unrated
Prediction: Virginia
25. Wide receiver Diondre Overton, Greensboro (N.C.) Page
NC State continues to run third but not out of the picture for Overton. Clemson leads Tennessee. NCSU needs to make a strong impression this summer.
Previous ranking: 20
Prediction: Clemson
26. WR Myles Dorn, Charlotte Vance
As we said last time, it is simply hard to imagine Dorn not ending up at UNC with all his family connections there, especially now that receiver Kyran Bowman of Havelock High has decommitted from the Heels.
Previous ranking: 21
Prediction: North Carolina
27. LB Xander Gagnon, Charlotte Catholic
Gagnon is a hard one to get a read on because he has not done interviews. Truth is he could deserve to be higher on this list or not on it at all.
Previous ranking: 22
Prediction: Unknown
28. DE Tomon Fox, Suwannee (Ga.) Collins Hill
Fox in the spring proclaimed a top three of Georgia Tech, North Carolina and Tennessee, but he has also taken an unofficial visit to NCSU and has some connections to current commitments in the class, giving the Wolfpack a shot.
Previous ranking: Unrated
Prediction: Unknown
29. TE Noah Turner, Mundelain (Ill.) Carmel Catholic
Turner visited NC State unofficially this spring, but he has said in a recent report on Rivals.com that UNC was his leader, an unsurprising development to us after our conversation with Turner following his visit.
Previous ranking: 35
Prediction: North Carolina (previously unknown)
30. OT Justin Witt, New Lenox (Ill.) Lincoln-Way West
There have been conflicting reports on whether or not Witt has an offer from NCSU, but he is expected to visit for a one-day camp over the summer.
Previous ranking: Unrated
Prediction: Unknown
Last edited by a moderator:
