The Wolfpacker’s NC State football recruiting mailbag: May 3
With NC State’s official visit schedule growing rapidly and the evaluation period in full-swing, it is time for another Wolfpack football recruiting mailbag.
Following Demie Sumo-Karngbaye’s entry into the transfer portal this week, subscribers had a few questions about the transfer portal. This week, the mailbag focuses on a few key prospects set to visit in June, a couple big-picture recruiting questions and an update on the Pack’s portal activities.
Making note of the increasing recruitment of Ondre Evans by other schools, do you remain confident in his eventual commitment to NC State?
It was always a matter of time until some of the nation’s top programs started making a push for Ondre Evans considering he has elite athletic traits and starred during his lone season at cornerback in 2022. Heading into the summer, it looks like Georgia and Michigan have emerged as the main competition here. He will visit the Wolverines this week, so it will be interesting to hear how that trip goes.
A potential Georgia offer is always cause for a little concern, but I remain confident in the NC State prediction I submitted earlier this year. His interest in the Pack has not wavered, and neither has the program’s recruiting effort.
Evans values the bond he has with cornerbacks coach Brian Mitchell, and he already has his official visit locked in for June 23-25. With a commitment scheduled for the beginning of his senior season, if that timeline holds, I still feel good about NC State’s chances.
How late can potential transfers commit and still play this fall?
NC State transfer portal signees have to enroll in fall classes in order to play for the Wolfpack. Sept. 1 is the official enrollment date this year, but classes begin Aug. 25. Considering training camp starts at the beginning of August, I expect the staff would like to add any transfers well before that date.
Who’s the top 5 portal or grad transfers we are recruiting the hardest?
I have not heard any specific names, and it does not sound like NC State is recruiting the portal super hard right now. Scholarship space was an issue previously, but now the Pack has room to add a couple of athletes if it chooses to do so.
Receiver and nose tackle still seem like the most likely target positions. I would be surprised if the Pack brought in a running back considering Jordan Houston and Michael Allen should be able to handle the bulk of this year’s carries.
Could Demie Sumo-Karngbaye come back? Has any potential transfer ever reconsidered and returned to their NCAA team?
Yes, Sumo-Karngbaye could withdraw from the portal if he chose to do so. With that said, I expect the junior running back will have at least a few power-five opportunities elsewhere, and there is a little buzz around an SEC team taking a look.
His return seems unlikely at this point, but it would not be unprecedented. In the past week, Ole Miss linebacker Reginald Hughes, Florida State defensive lineman Joshua Farmer and Michigan State cornerback Charles Brantley have all withdrawn from the portal and returned to their current schools.
For the Pack’s 2024 class, predict the percentage of transfers signed. Shouldn’t ‘24 prep prospects commit sooner due to the portal?
In my most recent mock recruiting class, I predicted the Pack will sign 18 prep prospects. The rest of that will likely be filled with transfer portal athletes. Assuming the program signs around 25 prospects this cycle, that would make 28 percent of the signees transfers.
To answer the second part of your question, yes, recruits realize that high school classes are a lot smaller now due to the portal, and that does have an impact on their decision timelines. One key Pack defensive prospect told me in February that he planned on wrapping up his recruitment early in the cycle for that exact reason.
How do NC State’s summer football camps compare to other ACC and top traditional schools?
NC State really cares about its camp schedule. The Wolfpack staff has an established history developing three-star talent into All-ACC stars, and the first step towards that goal is often identifying some of those under-the-radar prospects at a camp. Brandon Cisse is the perfect example of that. I have not been to too many other camps, but I do know Alabama puts a ton of stock into seeing prospects in person.
How many high school offensive linemen do you feel State is favored for, and who will be the first to commit?
NC State continued to expand its offensive line prospect board with an offer to Trent Mitchell, who has already set his Wolfpack official visit for June 16-18. I feel great about where the Pack stands with him and will be keeping a close eye on him after his visit. Amare’ Grayson is also someone to monitor if NC State extends an offer.
Here’s a complete list of offensive linemen I would project to NC State at this point in the cycle.
Deryc PlazzTrent MitchellWilliam SandersRobby Martin
The Wolfpack is in a good spot with Plazz, who will spend his final summer official visit in Raleigh from June 23-25. Miami is the main competitor and will host him the week prior. Keep an eye on Penn State as well to see if the Big-10 program receives a visit.
With Sanders, the Wolfpack appears close to the top of his recruitment right now, but keep in mind that SEC interest is starting to pick up quickly for the three-star prospect. He is from Alabama, has visited Tuscaloosa many times and plans on camping there this summer. An offer from the Crimson Tide would likely change things. He will officially visit NC State June 23-25.
Martin kept his recruitment pretty over the past year, but he had a great spring visit to NC State, and I think the Pack will be a top contender for West Virginia’s No. 1 prospect. He will drop a top-eight schools list soon. The lineman shared on twitter this spring that NC State and West Virginia will host him on official visits. Penn State could also be a contender moving forward.
What do we expect out of the WR group with the new additions. Which of the new guys do you expect to play a significant role?
The spring game confirmed what I already believed: Kevin Concepcion can be a star in Raleigh. Going into spring practice, I thought he would potentially compete for a spot in the two-deep as a true freshman. Now, let’s see if he can challenge the upperclassmen for a starting job. I believe him and Juice Vereen will both see the field in the fall and could play important roles.
Dacari Collins was the lone portal addition to the receivers room, and, in my opinion, it is reasonable to expect him to fill the Darryl Jones role from last year’s team. At 6-4, he could establish a dominant presence in the red zone.
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