NC State recruiting stock report: Cornerback and defensive line recruiting updates

NC State’s first official visit weekend went extremely well, starting a snowball of momentum that could roll into the rest of a busy month. The Wolfpack hosted 11 total prospects and 4 have now committed to the program.

In addition to those four commits, NC State improved its standing with a few key recruits. A couple visits elsewhere revealed more about where the Pack stands with future visitors as well.

Over the next several weeks, TheWolfpacker.com will post a new recruiting stock report every Monday. We will break down the latest behind-the-scenes buzz around visitors at NC State and elsewhere, explaining how that impacts the Pack’s 2025 class.

Stock up

Four-star safety Jontae Gilbert

Jontae Gilbert made the ‘Stock up’ list on last week’s report, but he deserves mention yet again after moving his official visit up to June 19 last week. This official visit shift is seen as a positive development for the Wolfpack, especially with South Carolina moving to the fall. Georgia impressed him over the weekend, which is worth monitoring, but the Pack has a huge opportunity to establish itself as the leader when it hosts him between trips to Memphis and Georgia State later this month.

Three-star cornerback Cameron Strong

It sounds like NC State flipped the behind-the-scenes momentum back in its favor with Cameron Strong. The priority cornerback locked in a June 21 commitment date and made his top three official— Georgia Tech, West Virginia and the Pack. His recruitment is not over, and the Yellow Jackets are worth monitoring, but NC State made another great impression during this trip.

Three-star defensive lineman Mykah Newton

Mykah Newton shared potentially the most positive remarks of any prospect who visited NC State his weekend. After climbing up the Pack’s defensive line board last month, he is a top priority for the Pack, and the program built some strong relationships with him during official visits. UCF will host him next week, the home-state school for the Newberry (Fla.) High standout. NC State seems to hold the momentum going into that visit.

Three-star running back Kentrell Rinehart

Minnesota picked up a running back commit right before hosting Kentrell Rinehart over the weekend. That did not bother the Pack’s No. 1 priority at the position, who tweeted that he loves competition, but it is notable nonetheless. After continuing to check in with sources, I still feel good about how his recruitment is developing. This week’s upcoming trip to Syracuse is worth monitoring. The Orange was one of the teams competing with NC State for the top pot in his recruitment earlier this year.

Three-star defensive lineman London Simmons

NC State really impressed London Simmons over the weekend. The Wolfpack left a great impression with the No. 1 priority nose tackle and his family. It’s going to be tough to beat Alabama in his recruitment considering the proximity to his home in Flowood, Mississippi, but the staff did everything it could during this official visit. Simmons will visit Alabama this weekend with a July decision on the horizon.

Linebacker Donovan Darden

Donovan Darden expressed serious interest in the Wolfpack after picking up a camp offer earlier this month. Per a source, he plans on officially visiting NC State June 14-16, replacing Pittsburgh on his original travel slate. South Carolina is a team to watch with him, and he will spend June 21-23 in Columbia. Darden will be the first linebacker to officially visit NC State this year, and the staff has an ideal chance to continue the momentum it built on his unofficial visit June 1.

Stock steady

Four-star wide receiver Shamarius Peterkin

Shamarius Peterkin’s recruitment appeared to be a UNC-NC State battle for most of the past year. He will take his Tar Heel official visit this weekend. Going into that trip, the Pack looks like the program to beat. The priority wide receiver most recently visited for the spring game and has a great connection with Joker Phillips. Unless he commits to UNC this weekend, I will likely project the receiver to NC State.

Three-star offensive lineman Isaac Sowells Jr.

After checking in with sources over the weekend, three-star offensive lineman Isaac Sowells Jr. should still be considered a Wolfpack-lean. With that said, Kentucky made a huge impression over the weekend. The home-state school really pushed for the Louisville (KY) Male High star. He is NC State’s No. 1 interior offensive line prospect, and he will stop by Louisville and Miami before wrapping up his visit schedule in Raleigh. Sowells fully plans on taking all of his visits and, considering the Pack gets the last in-person impression before a July 18 commitment, that puts the program in a good spot.

Three-star tight end Mike Tyler

Mike Tyler’s visit went well, but I’d still consider him a long shot with the Wolfpack right now. Do not take that as me writing off NC State’s chances here, the program remains involved, but it looks like it will be tough to beat out schools like LSU and South Carolina if they make a push.

Three-star running back RJ Boyd

RJ Boyd is a priority for the Pack, and he will be the first running back to officially visit this cycle. He visited Duke over the weekend, another top contender for the rising senior from Georgia. Communication between him and NC State remains positive, and I like where the program stands.

Stock down

Three-star tight end Preston Douglas

Preston Douglas is trending heavily towards South Carolina after spending a weekend with the Gamecocks. NC State is recruiting him to play the flex-y spot, and he was expected to visit this weekend, but it remains unclear if that trip is still happening. Right now, I’d project him to South Carolina.

Three-star defensive lineman Drayden Pavey

Drayden Pavey, one of the Wolfpack’s priority nose tackle prospects, tweeted Monday that he no longer plans on spending June 19-21 at NC State. This was an unexpected cancellation for the staff. The Pack was competing with Wisconsin, Purdue and Indiana before he called off this trip.

Three-star cornerback Gerritt Kemp

Gerritt Kemp visited Duke over the weekend, and the Blue Devils hold the momentum in his recruitment. I submitted a prediction for the Pack’s in-state rivals Monday afternoon. He’s scheduled to visit this weekend, but that trip is no longer happening.

Wide receiver Gabe Daniels

Gabe Daniels canceled his NC State official visit after previously including the Wolfpack in a top three with Kansas and Syracuse. Jamar Browder committed to the program Sunday and, while those events are not necessarily related, the program still feels good about a few other members of its receiver board.

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