The Wolfpacker NC State recruiting football mailbag: Sept. 13

NC State hosted a large group of priority prospects for the Notre Dame game. This weekend will likely be a bit quieter, with no official visits set, but the Pack is still taking steps to finalize its 2024 prep recruiting class.

This week’s Wolfpack mailbag continues to discuss the senior class and the remaining prospects to watch in that group, while also sharing some insight into last week’s visits.

The Wolfpacker NC State football recruiting mailbag

What is your estimation of when Ofor will commit?

I do not see three-star linebacker Joshua Ofor drawing out his recruiting process for long. His trip to NC State went really well, and the Pack is in a good spot alongside Ole Miss as the two main contenders for his commitment. Previously, the class of 2024 prospect was looking at a late-September, early-October timeline, but he does not have a date set yet.

What reactions did you hear from the underclassmen visitors for the Notre Dame game?

Four-star class of 2025 defensive lineman Isaiah Campbell told me the trip helped NC State’s standing in his recruitment, and I do think the Wolfpack has established itself as a contender for the Southern Durham (NC) star. His recruitment will be a tough one to win, but NC State is doing everything it can so far.

Class of 2025 offensive lineman Isaac Sowells Jr. enjoyed the atmosphere of Carter-Finley Stadium quite a bit and might return for the Clemson game. Faizon Brandon, an elite sophomore quarterback for Greensboro (NC) Grimsley High, also shared positive remarks about his visit. He has been on campus a few times, so it was good to get him back in the Murphy Center to continue strengthening his bonds with the staff.

I assume the VMI game will be light on visitors. Are any lined up to attend yet?

Yes, do not expect a ton of highly ranked recruits on campus this weekend. I expect the Wolfpack will save a lot of those visits for night games or matchups once ACC play begins. TheWolfpacker.com will post a visitors list either tonight or tomorrow.

I know we had a lot of visitors at our game yesterday. How much does game day atmosphere and the outcome of the football game factor into the average recruit’s experience? Or is it more about spending time with coaches, players, and other recruits and getting a “backstage pass” kind of perspective?

Here’s how I would rank those factors:

1) Time spent with NC State’s coaches, players and other recruits on campus

2) The Wolfpack’s ame day atmosphere

3) Photo shoots and other visit events

4) The outcome of the game

The outcome of a game is rarely the first thing mentioned when I talk to a recruit after these visits. Most prospects are focused future of the program, how they would fit into NC State’s offensive or defensive scheme and their respective dynamics with the coaching staff and potential future teammates.

A big Wolfpack win certainly can help, I heard a lot of excitement from visitors after last year’s win over Florida State, but recruits seem to look past a loss and focus more on the long term aspects of a program that will matter once they arrive on campus. A big win helps way more than a loss hurts.

If, as you predict, we gain commitments from Joshua Ofor and Christian Zachary, that will put us at 20 high school recruits. Do you expect we will pursue any junior college kids or additional high school recruits through the fall, or do you think we will wait to see who leaves at the end of the season and rely more on portal transfers to fill those gaps once known?

How many prospects can we recruit in the 2024 class?

If both three-star wide receiver Christian Zachary and Ofor join the 2024 class, three-star Kansas linebacker commit Jacorey Stewart will be the primary prospect to watch. Expect the coaches to continue monitoring other prospects committed elsewhere as well. Rohan Davy’s flip to NC State did not ramp up until the final week before signing day. Franklin Baret Jr. is a local wide receiver to continue monitoring but, if Zachary flips, I have a hard time seeing the Pack take 5 receivers this cycle.

The Wolfpack’s focus could also shift towards junior college soon. NC State extended an offer to Red Hibbler Oct. 9. Once the JUCO season is a few weeks deep and coaches have enough film to evaluate prospects, offers could start going out. Offensive tackle Jonah Miller is the only prospect on the radar so far. His NC State offer is now pinned to the top of his Twitter profile.

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