The Wolfpacker War Room: NC State intel heading into an important weekend

NC State welcomed 12 official visitors to campus around 4 p.m. today and picked up a commitment from running back Isiah Jones at the same time. The momentum is officially rolling for the Wolfpack going into a pivotal weekend for the 2024 recruiting class.

Despite a few recruiting breaks over the past couple of weeks that did not go NC State’s way, things are starting to trend in the program’s direction once again. That will obviously continue if the Pack can pick up a couple of commitments over the next 48 hours.

Let’s dive into what TheWolfpacker.com is hearing as the official visit weekend kicks off.

A few recruits are excited for the trip

I checked in with a few priority Pack prospects and asked them what they are looking forward to the most from their respective trips to campus.

Four-star wide receiver Alex Taylor: “Looking forward too spending time with coaches and learning as much more as I can!”

Three-star running back commit Duke Scott: “I’m looking forward to building relationships with a lot of the guys going and hopefully [getting] some of them to commit to the pack!

Three-star athlete Ronnie Royal III: “I [am] looking forward to meeting the players and more coaches and seeing how they run their program and the facility.”

Three-star offensive tackle Marcus Mascoll: “I look forward to being around the coaches and players more and getting to know more about the campus and the program.”

Four-star ’24 wide receiver Alex Taylor

If Clemson is full at wide receiver, Taylor’s recruitment could come down to either UNC or NC State. There has been buzz for a long time that this was a battle between the Tigers and the Wolfpack. I heard more to that effect last week, but do not count out the Tar Heels.

Taylor stopped by Chapel Hill this week on an unofficial visit, which is definitely interesting timing considering he has an official trip scheduled there for next weekend. This feels like a very close recruitment that will come down to the wire, and NC State will have every opportunity to pull ahead this weekend.

The receiver will publicly announce his decision July 29 but previously said he could commit during a visit if it felt right.

Four-star ’24 wide receiver Terrell Anderson

Earlier this week, Terrell Anderson confirmed he has two official visits scheduled— NC State this weekend and Tennessee June 23-25. The timing of the trip to Knoxville is a bit worrisome, but I would still give a slight edge to the Pack going into this visit. A commitment from the elite receiver would start some serious momentum for the Pack.

Three-star ’24 offensive tackle Deryc Plazz

Deryc Plazz decommitted from Penn State Thursday, and NC State immediately re-entered the picture. He will now visit Miami June 16-18 before heading to Raleigh June 23-25. He originally planned on committing in September, so it will be interesting to see if he sticks to that timeline moving forward. If he makes a decision this summer, NC State receiving the final visit is definitely a good sign. Plazz is really close with offensive line coach Garett Tujague, and I believe the Pack still has a very solid shot here.

Three-star ’24 wide receiver Keenan Jackson

Following a conversation with a source earlier this week, it sounds like NC State made a great impression on Keenan Jackson during his official visit. He was back on campus Thursday for the Pack’s 7-on-7 tournament as well. UNC spent the past few months as the presumed favorite, but NC State made things a bit more interesting. He still has an official visit scheduled with the Tar Heels June 23-25 and plans on committing June 29. That timing does not work out well for the Wolfpack.

’24 cornerback Jaren Sensabaugh

The coaching staff moved quickly once Ondre Evans started to trend towards LSU, offering Jaren Sensabaugh, who put together a great day at camp last week. He told TheWolfpacker.com that NC State was at the top of his recruitment following the recent surge of interest. Sensabaugh will spend the weekend at Vanderbilt after picking up an offer this week. The Commodores also hosted the rising senior from Nashville unofficially earlier this week. If he leaves that visit uncommitted, NC State will be in a great spot to potentially add a pair of cornerbacks to the commit list. Top priority defensive back Jivan Baly will also be in town that weekend.

Three-star ’24 cornerback Therrian Alexander

Therrian Alexander, a three-star defensive back from Decatur, Georgia, picked up an NC State offer this week, and he is already in the process of scheduling a trip to Raleigh. He plans on first stopping by unofficially and then setting an OV from there. Mississippi State and Ole Miss hosted him unofficially earlier this month, and the 6-3 defensive back also holds offers from BYU and Army. On3 lists him as a safety, but Alexander told me NC State is recruiting him to play corner.

Four-star class of 2025 tight end Gus Ritchey

Gus Ritchey, a local prospect from Pittsboro in the midst of a national recruitment, returned to NC State Wednesday. His visit went well, and he spent some time with offensive coordinator Robert Anae.

“It was amazing,” he said. “Coach Anae is so cool to be around. All the guys there are real laid back.”

The tight end/edge rusher is spending this weekend at Miami. NC State will absolutely be involved here for a while, but Notre Dame is a program I am keeping a close eye on for Ritchey.

Miscellaneous NC State recruiting notes

In my opinion, this is a make-or-break weekend in Jonathan Paylor’s recruitment. If the Wolfpack does not lead coming out of his official visit, I see him committing to South Carolina.

This weekend is NC State’s best possible recruiting pitch. Cedrick Bailey Jr. and Scott are in town to help recruit the offense, and Brody Barnhardt will be there to sell the ‘stay home’ angle. Asaad Brown also has a longstanding friendship with Paylor. That, combined with an all-out effort by the creative team and the rest of the recruiting staff, sets up for a potentially special recruiting weekend.

Coming out of his official visit, I see Jordan Shipp committing elsewhere. It appeared to be a UNC vs. Michigan battle over the past couple of months, and recent intel makes me comfortable enough to project him elsewhere.

Dom Shoffner, a graduate transfer quarterback from Eastern Illinois, visited this week and picked up an offer. I could see his recruitment wrapping up quickly, and the Wolfpack sits in a good spot. He would play a similar role to Jack Chambers from last year’s squad.

Baly will visit Mississippi State this weekend, but I still feel confident in my previous prediction in-favor of NC State.

Jacorey Stewart committed to Kansas after a recent official visit, but I think the Pack will continue to be involved here. I could still see him taking a trip to Raleigh this fall.

Mascoll will announce his commitment June 19, and there is still a ton of buzz around LSU in his recruitment. The lineman is still very interested in NC State, but the Wolfpack has a ways to go here.

Dazmin James officially visited NC State early this week. I see him sticking with Arkansas.

Cincinnati commits Qua Birdsong and Garrison Butler both canceled their respective NC State visits.

NC State’s June 16-18 official visitors

Four-star wide receiver Terrell AndersonFour-star wide receiver Alex TaylorFour-star wide receiver Jonathan PaylorThree-star defensive back commit Asaad Brown IIThree-star running back commit Jayden ScottThree-star quarterback commit Cedrick Bailey Jr.Three-star offensive tackle Marcus MascollOffensive tackle Trent MitchellThree-star athlete Ronnie RoyalThree-star safety commit Brody BarnhardtThree-star offensive lineman Robby MartinThree-star defensive lineman Josh Alexander-Felton

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