Packed recruiting intel: NC State updates on Jerel Bolder, Faizon Brandon

NC State football is working to finalize its June official visit schedule while also establishing solid bonds with an absolutely stacked class of 2026 in the Carolinas. Many of the Wolfpack’s top priority recruits for the next two recruiting cycles participated in Sunday’s Under Armour camp in Charlotte.

TheWolfpacker.com caught up with elite four-star quarterback Faizon Brandon, four-star cornerback Samari Matthews, three-star wide receiver Jerel Bolder and many others.

Here’s the latest recruiting buzz around NC State’s 2025 and 2026 recruiting boards from this camp.

Three-star ’25 wide receiver Jerel Bolder

Bolder has flown under the radar over the past couple of years. That feels weird to say for a prospect with Georgia and Michigan offers, but it’s true. He’s an electric athlete who has the skill and talent to play on the outside or in the slot. The 5-11 pass catcher is also one of the best 50/50 ball receivers I have evaluated over the past couple of years. After a dominant performance at a national 7-on-7 camp earlier this spring, Bolder is emerging as a truly national prospect.

Ohio State has emerged as a contender to keep an eye on here.

Right now, the Marshville (N.C.) Forest Hills High receiver has officials scheduled with Duke, UVA and NC State. He will end his summer slate with a June 21-23 trip to Raleigh. In addition to those visit plans, he is also eyeing an early-June camp at Ohio State. It sounds like the Buckeyes are leaning towards offering him if he attends. That would complicate his recruitment. Bolder is considering waiting until the fall to make a decision so he can take additional official visits.

I asked around this afternoon and gathered that, if the priority wide receiver decides to take trips in the fall, NC State would adjust its recruiting plan to account for that. The staff would try and postpone his Wolfpack official visit until the fall. Bolder said NC State remains in his top group going into the summer.

Four-star ’26 quarterback Faizon Brandon

Brandon’s recruitment has ascended to the elite levels of college football. He holds offers from Alabama, Georgia, Oregon, Michigan and pretty much any other school you can think of. With that said, he continues to show consistent interest in NC State. He has longstanding bonds with the Wolfpack that matter at this stage of his recruitment.

The four-star signal-caller, ranked No. 10 nationally, visited this spring, and that trip went really well. He is a top priority with the program. NC State will do everything it can to keep Brandon in state with the Pack, but it will likely be difficult to do so. He recently shared a summer visit schedule that does not include NC State.

Wolfpack tight end commit Gus Ritchey told TheWolfpacker.com that he is recruiting the Greensboro (N.C.) Grimsley High star and trying to get him back on campus in June. With that said, Brandon said he likely won’t return to Raleigh until the fall.

Three-star ’26 quarterback Jayvon Gilmore

Jayvon Gilmore visited twice this spring, jumpstarting his relationship with the program after picking up an offer in February. He has already met most of the offensive staff and has spoken with head coach Dave Doeren multiple times. NC State sits in a “very strong” position with the 6-6 signal-caller.

Watching freshman Cedrick Bailey Jr. compete during the spring game piqued Gilmore’s interest because he said the first-year quarterback reminded him of himself. The Gaffney (S.C.) High star plans on visiting for either the first or second home game of NC State’s season.

Four-star ’25 wide receiver Malik Clark

Malik Clark, the heavily recruited receiver from Rock Hill (S.C.) High, has three official visits set. He will spend May 31-June 2 with South Carolina, June 7-9 at North Carolina and June 21-23 in Raleigh with the Wolfpack. He built a great bond with NC State wide receivers coach Joker Phillips, but UNC holds the momentum here for now.

Making sure he remains uncommitted before his weekend with the Pack will be paramount for the Pack staff. If Clark ends up on campus for that massive final weekend of summer visits, that would be a huge opportunity for NC State. Phillips will visit Clark’s school Monday.

Four-star ’26 wide receiver Donovan Murph

NC State was the first Power Four program to offer Donovan Murph. Since then, Oregon, Alabama, Colorado and many others have extended scholarships. The Irmo (S.C.) star continues to hold the Wolfpack in high regard. He visited for two game days in the fall and returned Jan. 20. He wants to visit NC State this summer “for sure.”

Four-star ’26 cornerback Samari Matthews

Matthews returned to campus in March for an unofficial visit, and he enjoyed the trip. NC State continues to host him consistently and make positive impressions with the Cornelius (N.C.) Hough High defensive back each time. Phillips recently visited his school. They have a solid connection, and he likes cornerbacks coach Brian Mitchell as well. He’s considering a return trip to Raleigh for a game day this fall. Staying in state is definitely still a possibility for Matthews, who also holds offers from USC, Florida State, Tennessee and others.

Four-star ’26 defensive lineman Noah Clark

Durham (N.C.) Jordan High defensive lineman Noah Clark visited NC State earlier this spring and already has his next trip planned out. He will visit with his teammates for the program’s lineman camp challenge in mid-June. Tennessee, Georgia and South Carolina have also offered.

Three-star ’26 edge rusher Elijah Littlejohn

NC State offered Elijah Littlejohn, one of the most exciting to watch players in the state, in February. The West Charlotte (N.C.) High star has already visited the Pack a couple of times and really likes the coaching staff. He has a lot of interest in staying in state for his collegiate career. Littlejohn is a versatile prospect who could play inside linebacker, outside linebacker or edge at the next level. He also holds offers from Alabama, Michigan and others.

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