The Wolfpacker War Room: NC State OV and camp notes

NC State hosted its second camp of the week Friday. The event featured an extremely talented group of underclassmen who started to pick up offers from the Wolfpack this afternoon.

Wide receivers Jordan Shipp and Keenan Jackson, and defensive lineman Chase Bond, were all scheduled to arrive for their official visits Friday around 4 p.m., setting up for a pivotal weekend at two positions of need.

Heading into the weekend, this week’s War Room recaps another intriguing day at camp and shares the latest school on a few top prospects.

The latest intel on this week’s official visits

NC State’s trio of visitors this weekend arrived this afternoon, and the visits will start with a large reception that will have food and games in Carter-Finley Stadium. During the first few hours of the visit, I was also told the program put a ton of resources into the photoshoots this year. The staff will set up 10 photo/video stations for prospects during official visits.

Bond was a recent addition to the visit schedule, and I confirmed Thursday that he does not have an offer from NC State yet. That could obviously change this weekend and, if it does, the Wolfpack likely becomes the favorite to land the 6-4, 255-pound defensive lineman. He does not currently hold any power-five offers.

Going into Friday, I would still project both Shipp and Jackson elsewhere. Michigan made a positive impression with Shipp over the weekend, so the Pack will need to at least cancel out that momentum this weekend, and I am keeping a close eye on a possible offer from Georgia. UNC is a very strong contender for both receivers as well.

’24 running back Isiah Jones

Isiah Jones picked up an offer from NC State today and, after speaking with the rising senior running back, I submitted a prediction in the Wolfpack’s favor. He measured today at 5-10 3/4 and 189 pounds, running a 4.60 40-yard-dash and recording a 9-8 broad jump.

During an interview with TheWolfpacker.com, the running back shared that he hopes to make a decision soon after talking things over with his family. Boston College, Wake Forest and Duke are also recruiting Jones, but NC State is now the clear favorite.

Four-star ’24 cornerback Ondre Evans

Ondre Evans spent a couple of days at LSU this week, and the Tigers made a big push, leading to a recruiting prediction by On3’s Sam Spiegelman. Everything I have heard over the past week from multiple sources indicates NC State’s communication with the four-star defensive back remains very positive.

His visit to Baton Rouge went very well, but there was similar momentum after his Michigan visit. Regardless, the Wolfpack willl receive the final official visit before he plans to commit in July. That puts the program in a good spot. Evans does not have an official visit set to LSU right now, but that will likely change.

Four-star ’24 wide receiver Alex Taylor

There is a lot of buzz right now that Clemson’s wide receiver class is full or at least close to capacity. I heard the Tigers will likely take 3 receivers, and they now hold 2 commitments. That could obviously change Alex Taylor’s recruitment, and it could turn into a NC State vs. UNC battle if it comes down to that. If that’s the case, then the Wolfpack still has a very legitimate chance, and his June 16 official visit will be critical.

Three-star ’24 linebacker Elijah Groves

I like how things are shaping up with Elijah Groves. The 6-5 linebacker did not have an NC State official visit set going into the week, but that changed, and he will spend June 23-25 in Raleigh. He visited Purdue and Kentucky earlier this month but does not have any other trips planned until his trip to see the Wolfpack.

The program has an excellent chance to build some serious momentum heading into a July 1 decision. Groves released a top 6 Friday that included Kentucky, Purdue, NC State, UAB and Middle Tennessee State.

’24 linebacker Zane Williams

Zane Williams was back at NC State Thursday for an unofficial visit, and everything I hear about his recruitment remains positive for the Pack. The program plans on taking three, possibly four, linebackers this cycle, and I would project the Wake Forest star to join Cannon Lewis in that class right now.

’25 quarterback Zachary Lawrence

Zachary Lawrence previously shared that NC State is his dream school but, as he continues through his recruitment, another school has overtaken the Pack. Minnesota, his current top school, offered him earlier this year, and he is a top quarterback on the Golden Gophers’ board. Lawrence said that, if he did not earn an offer from the Wolfpack Friday, that could be his final visit with the program.

’26 tight end Corbyn Fordham

Corbyn Fordham put on one of the most impressive displays I have seen from a sophomore during the past couple of camp seasons. He holds a very high opinion of the Wolfpack from everything his older brother and NC state linebacker Caden Fordham previously told him about the program. Checking in at 6-3, 199 pounds, he projects as one of the top tight ends in the country and recently picked up a Georgia offer. The rising sophomore is definitely interested in the Wolfpack.

’26 offensive tackle Junior Saunders

Junior Saunders, an offensive tackle from Page High, already 6-4, 283 pounds and absolutely dominated during one-on-one competition. His recruitment will pick up quickly, and NC State offered Friday.

’26 wide receiver Brody Keefe

Brody Keefe holds offers from Georgia, Virginia Tech and now NC State after a great day at camp. The 6-2 in-state receiver is going to be a national prospect, and the Wolfpack got involved early.

’26 offensive tackle Bear McWhorter

Bear McWhorter picked up an offer from NC State earlier this year but returned due to an extremely strong bond with offensive line coach Garett Tujague. The Wolfpack is definitely a contender early hear. Alabama, Florida State and many others have also extended scholarships to the elite rising sophomore. He worked at both center and tackle Friday, measuring 6-4, 291 pounds.

’26 linebacker Chad Fairchild

Chad Fairchild rounds out the group of offers from today. NC State is his first power-five scholarship after the 5-11, 215-pound Lovejoy High athlete impressed at camp. He also holds an offer from UAB and ran a 4.87 40-yard-dash.

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