Zane Williams commitment to NC State analysis
NC State football recruiting made its sixth addition to the 2024 class. On3 three-star linebacker Zane Williams from Wake Forest (N.C.) High announced his pledge Friday evening.
Here is an analysis of Williams’ commitment.
1. Zane Williams is a disruptive tackling machine
The number that stands out most about Williams is his tackles for losses over the past two seasons. As a junior, Williams piled up 23 TFLs among his 82 total hits, 40 of which were solo.
Last fall, Williams had 142 tackles in 12 contests, averaging 11.8 per game, and that included an eye-popping 34.5 tackles for loss. Based on unofficial stats tally from MaxPreps.com, that was the eighth most TFLs in the state of North Carolina during the 2022 prep season.
Wake Forest is a traditionally strong prep football program that went 10-3 last year and reached the third round of the state playoffs.
2. NC State’s history at Wake Forest
Zane Williams is not the lone Williams from Wake Forest High to end up at the NC State football program. His older brother Seth Williams was an impressive walk-on linebacker who earned a scholarship in 2019 from NC State.
Seth Williams is not the lone successful walk-on story for head coach Dave Doeren from Wake Forest High. Current redshirt junior running back Demarcus Jones II has been a mainstay on special teams the past three years, and in 2022 he carried 24 times for 68 yards and caught five passes for 41 yards on offense.
However, Doeren has yet to sign a player from Wake Forest High. He did once have a commitment from Darius Hodge in the 2017 class, but due to academic reasons Hodge signed with Marshall instaed.
3. Wake County schools with players signed by Dave Doeren
Presuming Williams follows through on his commitment and signs with NC State, as noted above he would be the first player from Wake Forest High in Wake County to sign with the Pack under Doeren. The other high schools he has recruited a scholarship player from includes:
• Cary (two)
• Garner
• Green Hope
• Heritage (five)
• Millbrook
• Panther Creek
• Sanderson (two)
• Southeast Raleigh (two)
• Wake Forest (pending Williams’ signature)
• Wakefield (two)
That leaves the following schools unrepresented: Apex, Apex Friendship, Athens Drive, Broughton, Cardinal Gibbons, East Wake, Enloe, Fuquay-Varina, Green Level, Holly Springs, Knightdale, Leesville Road, Middle Creek, Rolesville, South Garner and Willow Springs
4. How did Zane Williams emerge on the board
This was not the first time that Williams has camped at NC State. Williams had been two prior workouts for the Wolfpack.
One source familiar with his recruitment told TheWolfpacker.com that Williams outshined two linebackers with offers that camped last week — Huntington (W.Va.) Cabell Midland’s Curtis Jones and Cael Brezina from Downers Grove (Ill.) North. Brezina has since committed to Iowa State.
That same source said that Williams had also been the best linebacker the prior two times he camped at NC State, and the Pack coaching staff reached a point where they could no longer ignore that fact.
5. Tested well
Williams will be the on short side for a linebacker. He checked in a shade under 5-foot-11, and that is likely to be his playing height at NC State. His weight is estimated to be between 210-220 pounds.
However, Williams has a long wingspan at nearly 77 inches, and his athleticism is good. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.65 seconds and the shuttle in 4.37 seconds while also registering a 32.2-inch vertical leap.
6. What’s left at linebacker
On3 Industry three-star linebacker Cannon Lewis from Huntington (W.Va.) Cabell Midland High committed so early to NC State that there was not a chance for the offers to come flowing. Now the Pack has complemented him with the addition of Williams.
Sources have indicated to TheWolfpacker.com that three was the target number for linebackers in this class. However, there are two names high on the wishlist in which there is a chance room would be made for both — Cincinnati commitment and On3 Industry four-star Qua Birdsong from Lagrange (Ga.) Troup County and Elijah Groves from Cross Plains (Tenn.) East Robertson High.
Birdsong is set to officially visit NC State next weekend, while Groves will be in town June 23. Kentucky and Purdue are also heavily in the mix with Groves.
7. Zane Williams’ Highlights
8. Class of 2024 Commitment Timeline
Oct. 24, 2022 – On3 Industry three-star linebacker Cannon Lewis, Ona (W.Va.) Cabell Midland
March 13, 2023 – On3 Industry three-star quarterback Cedrick Bailey Jr., Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna
March 22, 2023 — On3 Industry three-star defensive back Asaad Brown II, Chesapeake (Va.) Oscar Smith High
April 5, 2023 — On3 Industry three-star safety Brody Barnhardt, Charlotte (N.C.) Providence Day
April 19, 2023 — On3 Industry three-star running back Jayden Scott, Stockbridge (Ga.) High
June 9, 2023 – On3 three-star linebacker Zane Williams, Wake Forest (N.C.) High
9. Commits By Position
Quarterback — 1
Running back — 1
Wide receiver — 0
Tight end — 0
Offensive line — 0
Defensive line — 0
Linebacker — 2
Nickel — 1
Safety — 1
Cornerback — 0
Specialist — 0
10. Commits By State
North Carolina — 2
Florida — 1
Georgia — 1
Virginia — 1
West Virginia — 1
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