NC State’s class of 2024 came together in many ways last June, with commitments spread out over July and August..
Here is a look at how the Rivals.com No. 26-ranked recruiting class came about, though some new additions could be added in February. The Wolfpack are usually over with scholarships slots, but with 20-players leaving, still have room to grow.
Easiest recruitment: I'd go with a tie because they both are essentially Wolfpack legacies — linebacker Zane Williams of Wake Forest (N.C.) High and running back Isiah Jones of Rolesville. They both camped at NC State after strong junior years and were offered after running the 40-yard dash and going through some drills. They both committed by mid-June. Williams' older brother is former NC State player Seth Williams, and Jones' cousin is current Wolfpack redshirt junior running back Demarcus Jones.
Hardest recruitment: Burlington (N.C.) Cummings wide receiver Jonathan Paylor was offered by the Wolfpack in June after his freshman year. NC State had to work hard to make it happen, and at times, it was a roller coaster ride. However, he was the player that the Wolfpack to get because it was clear he wasn't going to go too far from home, he has game-breaking speed and is charismatic. NC State finally beat out South Carolina and North Carolina, among others.
Biggest surprise recruitment: A case could be made for Huntington (W.Va.) High interior lineman Robby Martin for a variety of reasons. One, Martin didn't do many interviews, so it was hard to get a read on him. NC State switched offensive line coaches mid-recruitment in having Garett Tujague take over for John Garrison. West Virginia products are usually loyal to West Virginia University, and Penn State was also in the mix.
Most immediate impact: Paylor isn't a complete clone of NC State freshman wide receiver Kevin Concepcion, but it's close. Paylor can do the pop passes, line up at running back, return punts and kicks and the Wolfpack can be creative in getting him the ball.
Best long-term impact: Everything about Gulf Shores (Ala.) High standout Ronnie Royal screams that he's a safe choice to max out his football career. Royal helped his school win the state title and he did everything this past season. He played running back, caught passes, returned punts and kicks and was a quality defensive back. His prep coach is a former Division I coach. Royal will eventually find a home at safety in the NC State secondary and show what he can do when he practices and concentrates on one position.
Who could out-play ranking: Running back Jayden "Duke" Scott of Stockbridge (Ga.) High had been injured his sophomore and junior years, and that likely affected his rankings. The Rivals.com three-star prospect had a big senior year in leading his school to the Georgia AAAA state title game, and he's a good blend of power and enough speed.
Who flipped?: NC State had a handful of players that were committed to other colleges. NC State flipped wide receivers Keenan Jackson (North Carolina) and Christian Zachary (Virginia), along with linebacker Elijah Groves (Kentucky).
Nose tackle Justin Terrell of Rome (Ga.) High was also originally committed to Wake Forest.
Who decommitted? None. Georgia tried to get wide receiver Terrell Anderson of Grimsley High at one point, and Miami made a late run at quarterback Cedrick Bailey of Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna. SEC schools and Georgia Tech tried with Royal and Massillon (Ohio) Washington defensive lineman Chase Bond was offered late by the new staff at Michigan State.
Biggest recruiting battle: Jackson was always perceived as leaning toward North Carolina during his recruitment, but he was extremely thorough on his process. He checked out UNC, NC State, Duke and Virginia Tech extensively with unofficial visits and official visits. It was clear he was going to be a regional recruit. Jackson of Matthews (N.C.) Weddington picked the Tar Heels on June 29, and then managed to do something pretty rare these days — quietly get recruited by NC State. He waited until the day before Signing Day to decommit from UNC and picked NC State on Wednesday. It was an impressive long-range recruiting win.
Biggest miss: NC State wanted Greensboro (N.C.) Grimsley wide receiver Alex Taylor badly, but maybe if Taylor had picked NC State, then maybe Jackson doesn't come, who knows. Taylor ended up picking North Carolina over the Wolfpack, Clemson and Virginia Tech.
NC State also worked hard to land Clinton (N.C.) High defensive end Amaris Williams, who picked Florida and flipped to Auburn. Offensive lineman Deryc Plazz of Jacksonville (Fla.) Andrew Jackson High was another coveted prospect, and he picked Penn State and then Miami (Fla.).
Most surprising miss: Usually this is an easy one to pick, but not as easy this recruiting cycle. Wide receiver Trey Horne of Rabun Gap (Ga.) Rabun Gap-Nacoochee fits the NC State style on offense and was a little under valued by recruiting gurus. He grew up in Rockingham, N.C., and lived in South Carolina for a stretch. Horne ended up picking Georgia Tech and he should be a good ACC player one day.
Any players left?: NC State has targeted defensive back Brylan Lanier from East Mississippi C.C., and definitely have some room for a handful of players, whether via four-year school transfers, or from the junior college or prep ranks.
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