Tristan Teasdell explains why he committed to NC State
Tristan Teasdell realized he was ready to make his NC State commitment last week. He thought about his fit into the defensive scheme and how the Wolfpack coaching staff clearly prioritized him after offering earlier this year.
When he combined all of that, plus his experience visiting campus for the April 6 spring game, Teasdell decided he did not need to take any official visits before making a decision. The three-star Wolfpack safety commit joined the program’s 2025 class Saturday.
He completely shut down his recruitment, and the Leesburg (Va.) Tuscarora High defensive back’s bond with NC State’s staff is a significant reason why.
Nickels coach Freddie Aughtry-Lindsay sat down with him to watch film on Zoom earlier this year, safeties coach Joe DeForest called him every other day and assistant defensive backs coach Kevin Hodges reached out frequently as well.
“They just showed that I’m one of their top priorities,” Teasdell said.
Teasdell knew how much NC State wanted him in this class, and the Wolfpack’s actions backed up its words. DeForest is scheduled to visit him at Tuscarora High Tuesday. He called the safeties coach and committed to him first before letting head coach Dave Doeren know as well.
From the first time he visited the Wolfpack in April, he knew the Wolfpack matched what he was looking for in his collegiate home.
“As soon as I stepped on campus, I just felt something,” Teasdell said. “The coaches treat me real well, great relationship with them. Even some of the players started texting me yesterday.”
Senior safety Bishop Fitzgerald, who is also from Virginia, reached out to NC State’s newest commit after he made the decision and will probably host the safety on his official visit this summer.
Pack quarterback commit Will Wilson and sophomore wide receiver KC Concepcion have also been in contact with Teasdell. He’s confident he will fit into the Wolfpack locker room.
When he returns to campus for his June 7-9 official visit, the safety is ready to recruit his peers to Raleigh. Teasdell’s opinion on the Wolfpack staff sits at the center of his pitch.
“I feel like these coaches are [some] of the best in the country,” Teasdell said. “They really set themselves apart.”
On the field, NC State sees the 6-1, 180-pound defensive back playing either safety spot and nickel with the Wolfpack. The rising senior knows the program’s history at safety. NC State fields tall, physical safeties, and Teasdell believes he fits the scheme extremely well.
His junior season highlight tape is full of thunderous hits where he reads a play well, blitzes off the edge and meets a running back or quarterback in the backfield with enthusiasm. He loves that part of the game.
“I would probably call myself a run-stopping safety…I just love tackling people,” Teasdell said.
Away from football, Teasdell likes NC State’s flexible academic schedule, and he said his family appreciated their conversations with the program’s support staff. The safety plans on enrolling early in January after playing his senior football season with Tuscarora.
The post Tristan Teasdell explains why he committed to NC State appeared first on On3.
