NC State continues to prioritize ’26 LB Chad Fairchild

Chad Fairchild earned an offer from NC State after his freshman season. The 6-1, 215-pound linebacker from Hampton (Ga.) Lovejoy High has been a Wolfpack priority ever since, and that interest remains very mutual. 

Ranked as a three-star prospect in the class of 2026, Fairchild received offers from South Carolina, Georgia Tech, Duke and others over the past year. NC State was his first Power Four offer and has continued to prioritize him early in the sophomore class. 

He returned to campus in the fall to watch the Wolfpack defeat Miami. Then, the linebacker stopped by spring practice April 2. This was his first opportunity to take a close look at NC State as a university after his previous football-focused trips. 

While on campus, the staff continued to make him feel like a priority. 

“They showed me more love, I guess,” Fairchild said. “I don’t want to throw shade at any other school, but NC State showed me a little bit more love today.”

Fairchild said the family environment around the Pack stood out during this visit. He already has a strong bond with defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Tony Gibson. The Wolfpack assistant compared the linebacker to former NC State greats Payton Wilson and Isaiah Moore during this visit. 

“We have a great connection,” Fairchild said.  

NC State is recruiting him to play the MIKE and WILL positions in Raleigh. The staff likes his speed, strength and explosiveness on the field, and the Wolfpack’s defensive scheme appeals to him because of the “quarterback” role the linebackers play in the defense. 

But most of all, he’s strongly considering NC State because of the culture around the program— something the staff communicated very clearly during this trip. Fairchild said the spring practice visit helped the Pack’s standing in his recruitment. 

“It’s that family feeling, and that’s kind of what I’m looking for in a college,” Fairchild said. 

In addition to his conversations with Gibson, the linebacker also spent time with assistant linebackers coach Jake Ellsworth. He likes the Wolfpack staff and said the next step in his recruitment is continuing to build upon those connections. 

Fairchild is considering making another trip to Raleigh in July for NC State’s Alpha Wolf Showcase. He also has spring trips planned to South Carolina and Georgia Tech. 

The On3 Industry Ranking considers Fairchild the No. 303 prospect in the country, the No. 26 linebacker nationally and the No. 32 recruit in Georgia’s 2026 class.

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