The Wolfpacker’s War Room: Notes on priority NC State prospects and recent offers
NC State continued through its spring evaluation period this week, making stops in Florida, Georgia and North Carolina throughout the week. The coaching staff also extended a few new offers, expanding its defensive line and secondary recruiting boards.
From updates on the coaching staff’s tour up and down the east coach, to a pair of recent additions to the Pack’s growing official visitor list, this week’s War Room covers it all.
‘24 four-star cornerback Ondre Evans
Ondre Evans set his NC State official visit for June 23-25. The nation’s No. 83 prospect is the highest-ranked athlete on the Wolfpack’s board, and he plans on making a decision by the beginning of his senior season. He is also considering official visits to Michigan, Georgia and possibly Vanderbilt.
The Bulldogs are making a push here and, according to Evans, could offer in May. If that happens, it could obviously change his recruitment. I do believe his bond with NC State cornerbacks coach Brian Mitchell will be tough to beat. The Wolfpack assistant already stopped by Evans’ school during the evaluation period.
‘24 four-star wide receiver Alex Taylor
Like I said earlier this week after talking to the four-star receiver, Alex Taylor’s recruitment is not over. Clemson has held a ton of momentum for months, but the receiver’s decision will likely come down to official visits. As long as he leaves his June 3-5 visit with the Tigers uncommitted, I believe NC State will have a shot.
Taylor’s June 16-18 official visit weekend is absolutely stacked with talented prospects and commits who have already formed bonds with the receiver. He thinks very highly of the Wolfpack, and it will be interesting to see if NC State can overcome the Tigers with a commitment looming in July.
‘24 four-star defensive lineman Amaris Williams
NC State has emerged as Amaris Williams’ in-state school of choice. The four-star lineman said the Pack, Florida and Tennessee are the three programs standing out here. Now that UNC is no longer a factor, my confidence in NC State’s chances here is starting to grow.
He plans on shutting down his recruitment in August, and it is worth noting that Michigan and Alabama are starting to express significant interest. In my recent interview with the lineman, he said those potential new offers will not change his recruitment.
Defensive line coach Charley Wiles and the rest of the staff did a great job forming a genuine bond here, and it obviously helps that Williams wants to play in a three-man front as well. NC State is his only set official visit, but keep an eye on those SEC schools.
‘24 four-star cornerback Jalyn Crawford
Jalyn Crawford visited NC State this spring with his Lilburn (Ga.) Parkview High teammates and priority Pack cornerback prospect Jivan Baly. According to one source, Baly and Crawford traveled to Raleigh together. LSU is the trending program for the four-star prospect right now, and he has official visits set to Florida and Auburn along with the Tigers.
It sounds like there is definitely a chance that the cornerback will also schedule an official with the Wolfpack. This is another example of NC State’s strong connections in Georgia paying off. It is worth noting that Baly has already set his visit date for June 23-25.
‘24 four-star defensive lineman Dominic Nichols
NC State continued its recent recruiting efforts in Maryland with an offer to Dominic Nichols, one of the nation’s top edge rushers. Michigan and Penn State appear to be the main contenders in his recruitment right now. I will post an update on Nichols later this week on The Wolves’ Den message board.
’24 three-star interior offensive lineman William Sanders
William Sanders, one of NC State’s priority offensive lineman prospects, locked in his Wolfpack official visit for June 23-25. His first visit to campus went really well, and it is very encouraging that he has already set a return trip. Alabama looms large here, and an offer from the Crimson Tide could change things, but NC state is in a good spot for now.
‘24 three-star linebacker Antwan Smith
Antwan Smith picked up an offer from NC State this week, and he is a super intriguing prospect. At 6-3, 195 pounds, he ran a 200-meter-dash in 21.22 seconds.
Duke, Minnesota and others have also offered, and I would not be surprised to see his recruitment pick up quickly during the evaluation period. Smith visited NC State earlier this spring and told TheWolfpacker.com that the trip went well and he plans on “most definitely” returning to campus at some point.
‘24 three-star defensive lineman Xavier Porter
Communication between Xavier Porter and NC State remained positive this spring, and the Wolfpack staff stopped by his school this week. He has been a priority for the Pack for months and, amongst an offer list of Penn State, Texas, Florida State and others, the program continues to contend.
‘24 three-star safety Quentin Reddish
Earlier this spring, Quentin Reddish released a top-three of Virginia Tech, Wake Forest and NC State. He also locked in a June 16 official visit, his final trip of the month. Miami offered him this week, which is something to keep an eye on. Standing 6-3 with the versatility to play cornerback and safety, it is not surprising to see his offer list grow.
‘25 four-star defensive back Jontae Gilbert
TheWolfpacker.com spoke with Jontae Gilbert this week and, while the defensive back has been committed to Ohio State since last summer, he is considering NC State after picking up an offer this week. In fact, if he reopens his recruitment, he told me the Pack will be one of his top schools.
Tennessee, South Carolina and others are also heavily involved here, and it is still a long time until the 2025 class signs, but he does plan on visiting Raleigh this summer. He camped at NC State as a freshman, and the staff maintained contact since then.
Nickels coach Freddie Aughtry-Lindsay and safeties coach Joe DeForest are both recruiting the nation’s No. 23 sophomore.
‘25 cornerback Darrell Johnson
Darrell Johnson does a little bit of everything for Eastman (Ga.) Dodge County High. The 6-3 athlete plays quarterback, safety, linebacker, receiver and cornerback. NC State offered him this week as a defensive back, and he is very interested. He hopes to visit this summer. UCF and Georgia Southern are reaching out, and Georgia Tech has also offered.
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