Letter of intent No. 1: Four-star defensive back De'Von Graves
Measurables:
• At NC State’s summer camp before his junior season (2016), Graves was 6-foot-1, 178 pounds with a 6-foot-3 wingspan … Hand-timed at 4.50 seconds in the 40-yard dash and 4.15 seconds in the shuttle … Also had a 32.3-inch vertical leap.
Stats:
• Junior: 30 catches for 704 yards and nine touchdowns offensively
• Sophomore: 27 receptions for 539 yards and six touchdowns offensively and 50 tackles (32 solo), including two for loss, two interceptions, 19 pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery defensively.
• Freshman: 12 catches for 202 yards and two scores offensively and 27 tackles, five interceptions (one pick six) and seven pass breakups on defense.
Ratings:
• Rivals.com: Four stars, the No. 18 athlete in the country and No. 8 player in the state.
• 247Sports: Three stars, No. 100 athlete in the country and No. 28 player in the state.
• ESPN: Four stars, No. 35 athlete in the country and No. 7 player in the state.
• Daily Press: No. 10 player in the state.
Honors/accomplishments:
• Named first-team all-state for both offense and defense as a senior.
• Helped lead team to three straight state titles.
• Also ran track & field and played basketball.
Recruitment:
• Was offered by NC State in the spring game weekend of 2015.
• Verbally committed then and held firm despite aggressive overtures from Tennessee, Virginia, Virginia Tech and West Virginia, among others.
• Is expected to enroll early at NC State.
Recruiter of record:
Cornerbacks coach George Barlow.
Quotable:
"Zone is pretty easy for those guys but when you lock up that’s something a lot of kids can’t do. He’s good at it.”— Appomattox head coach Doug Smith.
Scouting report:
• Has the length and athleticism sought for at the cornerback position.
• Showed play-making abilities on both sides of the ball in high school.
• Will need to adjust to the significant jump in level of competition but has the tools to do it.
2017 projection:
By enrolling early, Graves has a chance to make an immediate impact at NC State. The secondary struggled last season and loses two senior starters at corner in Johnathan Alston and Mike Stevens. Graves has the athleticism to find himself on the depth chart fairly quickly.