The Wolfpacker 3-2-1: NC State picks up major recruiting momentum
NC State is rolling on the recruiting trail right now. The Wolfpack received three public commitment announcements in consecutive days over the weekend and hosted another group of priority prospects on official visits.
To build off of that, TheWoflpacker.com heard from a source Monday that the staff recently received more positive news.
This week’s 3-2-1 recruiting feature focuses on the most productive recruiting weekend of the summer and examines what could be a busy few weeks ahead.
Three things we learned about NC State football recruiting last week
1) NC State took the lead for Deryc Plazz
The progress the program made in Deryc Plazz’s recruitment was perhaps the most positive news coming out of the weekend, other than the three commitments. He named the Wolfpack his leader Sunday night, and everything I have heard since indicates the momentum is trending towards NC State.
Do not count out Miami, and a potential fall visit to Florida State could change things, but NC State heads into the dead period as the leader. I submitted a Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM) pick in favor of the Wolfpack Monday evening with a confidence level of 60. His recruitment is not over, but I like where the program stands right now.
This prediction is also a projection. Following his trips to Penn State, Miami and NC State, each school took the lead. Once the hype from official visit season fades, I believe relationships will win out, and it will be tough to beat the bond he has with the Wolfpack coaching staff.
2) Two programs are trending with Elijah Groves
Elijah Groves released a top three of Purdue, Kentucky and NC State Sunday but, after speaking with a source, it sounds like the Wolfpack and Wildcats are in front coming out of the weekend. He will announce his decision Saturday, July 1. The priority 6-5 linebacker has not officially visited Kentucky but did stop by for an unofficial trip to campus June 8. It is worth noting that he set his commitment date that same day.
3) Mathias Barnwell’s visit went well
Mathias “Mega” Barnwell arrived at NC State Saturday for his official visit. The program is recruiting him as a tight end, and I heard from a source that the trip went well. With that said, it sounds like there are still a couple of logistical roadblocks here. Going into the weekend, he did not have any other visits scheduled.
Two questions for this week
1) What’s the next step for NC State’s defensive line board?
NC State hosted Justin Terrell on an official visit over the weekend, and I get the vibe that the Pack made his recruitment very interesting. The program is now tied at the top of his recruitment with a second mystery school. UNC, Cincinnati, Indiana and UVA all made his top five Sunday. He met with his coaches today to go through his top schools list and weigh pros and cons ahead of a July 12 decision.
I continue to hear very positive feedback on Josh Alexander-Felton’s recruitment. The lineman visited June 16-18. He had a visit to Maryland scheduled but, if he made it to campus, he did not post anything about it. If the lineman chooses to make a summer decision, I would project him to the Pack, but he has previously shared he wants to take a couple of visits in the fall.
Those two prospects are the primary targets on the defensive line targets after Chris Burge left campus without an offer.
2) Can Will Wilson help assemble a star-studded 2025 class?
TheWolfpacker.com checked in with NC State quarterback commit Will Wilson today and asked about recruiting the 2025 class.
“I definitely plan on throwing my recruiting hat on, for sure,” Wilson said.
Here are a few of the names Wilson mentioned:
Four-star wide receiver Shamarius PeterkinFour-star defensive lineman Isaiah CampbellFour-star athlete Jordan YoungThree-star wide receiver Jerel Bolder
One prediction: NC State will secure at least 2 offensive line commitments by mid-July
The vibes with NC State’s 2024 offensive line class have never been better than they are now. Everything I have heard indicates both Tyler West and Plazz enjoyed their official visits, Robby Martin did not visit Pittsburgh and Trent Mitchell left his trip to Maryland uncommitted.
If I had to predict the first two commits to kick off the class, it would likely be Martin and Mitchell. It sounds like both could announce their collegiate decisions during the July dead period, and the Wolfpack remains in a good spot with both prospects. I would project both prospects to the Pack right now.
For Plazz, his recruitment could come down to timing. His announcement date is locked in for Sept. 23, but could NC State secure a silent commitment before then? That could be key, considering a fall trip to Florida State remains on the table, and his current timeline would give him an opportunity to add a couple of visits.
With West, the recent intel has been positive for the Wolfpack, but he is keeping his recruitment pretty quiet.
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