NC State official visit preview: 4-star offensive tackle Connor Howes

NC State will host its first four-star recruit of the 2025 cycle this week when priority offensive tackle Connor Howes spends this weekend in Raleigh. The nation’s No. 130 recruit is strongly considering the Pack going into his first visit with the program.

After the Pack offered him this spring, offensive line coach Garett Tujague started communicating with him consistently and building a very strong bond with the tackle. Howes has previously said NC State is one of two schools in the race for the top spot in his recruitment.

In the days leading up to the Wolfpack’s second visit weekend, TheWolfpacker.com is breaking down the latest intel around each prospect expected on campus.

NC State official visit preview: Connor Howes

Ranking: No. 130 nationally, No. 13 offensive tackle in the country, No. 22 prospect in Florida.
Height/weight: 6-6, 300 pounds
School: Saint Cloud (Fla.) Osceola High
Other notable offers: Miami, Mississippi State, UCF
Official visits: Arkansas (May 31), Rutgers (June 7), NC State (June 14), Ole Miss (June 21)
Commitment timeline: End of June

Where does NC State stand?

Howes told TheWolfpacker.com in May that NC State was interchangeable with Arkansas for the top spot in his recruitment. That was before Ole Miss offered and added itself to the end of his official visit schedule, but this still seem like a race between the Razorbacks and the Wolfpack.

He really likes Tujague. The Pack assistant reaches out to him every morning. That strong interest is a significant reason why NC State remains a contender here. Howes said he can can see himself playing in Raleigh. Head coach Dave Doeren is involved in his recruitment as well.

Howes’s thoughts on the Wolfpack

“Honestly, [NC State] can go one and two with Arkansas,” Howes said. “I haven’t closed down on a top 12 or something like that, but I can definitely say NC State, when I do, they’ll be in it until the final three because I really like NC State. I can definitely see myself playing there.”

Who are the other teams to watch?

Arkansas appears to be the main other contender here, but keep an eye on that last visit with Ole Miss as well. His social media activity is definitely pro-Razorbacks after his recent visit with the SEC program. Miami offered but, for now, it does not look like the in-state Hurricanes are a contender.

Is he on commit watch?

He already planned on committing at the end of this month, so it would not be completely shocking to see Howes move up his decision timeline if NC State hits a home run on his visit. With that said, do not expect a decision yet. It sounds like he is on pace to take his visits. NC state does have a good chance to establish itself as the leader this weekend if it can make a great first in-person impression. With the smaller group of prospects on campus, he should receive plenty of attention from the staff as well.

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