The Wolfpacker 3-2-1: NC State game day visit intel
NC State hosted a massive group of priority prospects on campus for the Wolfpack’s Sept. 9 showdown with Notre Dame. Despite the mid-day storm, the program still made a great impression with its lone official visitor and several other prospects.
This week’s 3-2-1 recruiting feature focuses on the fallout from that packed visit weekend. NC State’s staff did a good job building some positive momentum despite the weather and the outcome of the game.
Three things we learned about NC State football recruiting last week
1) NC State nailed Joshua Ofor’s official visit weekend
Three-star linebacker Joshua Ofor made his second trip to campus over the weekend to take a deeper look into the Wolfpack program. He liked everything he saw. Freshman linebacker Kelvon McBride hosted him, and the class of 2024 prospect connected well with his potential future teammates while also building great bonds with the coaching staff.
Based on his interview with TheWolfpacker.com, it sounds like the program checked a lot of boxes, and he does not have any other visits scheduled right now. Ole Miss is the main other program to watch here, but he canceled his trip to see the SEC program earlier this fall.
2) Isaiah Campbell continues to hold the Pack in high regard
After stopping by NC State for the fourth time this year, Isaiah Campbell told TheWolfpacker.com that his visit helped the program’s standing in the top priority four-star defensive lineman’s recruitment. He holds offers from LSU, Georgia, Alabama and many others. NC State is doing a great job remaining in contention with the local Southern Durham (NC) High star.
Campbell said his favorite part of the trip was spending time with defensive line coach Charley Wiles and cornerbacks coach Brian Mitchell— the two Wolfpack assistants who have been in constant contact with the lineman since Aug. 1. He also enjoyed seeing NC State’s defensive line play well against Notre Dame.
3) NC State landed PWO commitment from JUCO long snapper
Hutchinson (KS) Community College long snapper Cade Davis picked up a preferred walk-on offer from NC State Sept. 6. Less than a week later, he decided to join the program. He is a five-star prospect according to Rubio Long Snapping and also held an offer from FAU.
Graduate student Joe Shimko has held down that position for a long time, so it is important to get a reliable presence in the locker room to replace him after this year. Earlier this summer, a source told TheWolfpacker.com that the program was optimistic about true freshman walk-on Aiden Arias as well. Davis’s commitment adds some competition to that position group for the 2024 season.
Two questions for this week
1) Did NC State move into contention with Isaac Sowells Jr.?
Three-star interior offensive lineman Isaac Sowells Jr. raved about his recent visit to NC State.
“Man, I had a ball!!!,” Sowells said in a text message. “The atmosphere was crazy before the rain, and the facilities were outstanding.”
Sowells also holds offers from Louisville and Kentucky, two in-state programs for the junior. The lineman is already considering a return trip to campus for the Clemson game. NC State took a step forward in his recruitment with this visit.
2) Will Kevin Concepcion’s early playing time impact future classes?
Kevin Concepcion is one of the most well-known football players in North Carolina. Now that he is on the field early with the Wolfpack, it is catching the interest of a few prospects from around the state. Four-star wide receiver commit Jonathan Paylor told TheWolfpacker.com that his favorite part of the trip was seeing Concepcion play.
The Charlotte (NC) Chambers High alumnus also took time before the game to say hi to former teammate Tyran Evans, a future elite prospect in the 2026 class.
If Concepcion continues to develop into a star, I could see that mattering quite a bit to current in-state underclassmen, which could boost the Pack’s future in-state recruiting. There are a lot of talented wide receivers in North Carolina right now, so that could really matter over the next few recruiting cycles.
One prediction: NC State will land 2 more commitments this month
Three-star wide receiver Jimmar Boston already joined the Pack’s class Sept. 5. NC State kept the positive vibes going during Ofor’s official, and I really like where the program stands with him. He plans on making an early fall decision.
Christian Zachary, a priority 6-3 wide receiver who is averaging 23.5 yards per reception this fall, has an official visit locked in for the Sept. 29 Louisville game. Based on what I have heard behind the scenes, I still like NC State’s chances at securing a flip from the UVA commit.
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