Letter of intent No. 20: Three-star defensive end Joe Babros
Measurables:
• Listed by Saddleback Community College at 6-5 and 250 pounds.
Stats:
• Sophomore: 28 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 7.5 tackles for loss, fumble return for a touchdown and one pass breakup in eight games
• Freshman: 18 tackles, 4 sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss in eight games
Ratings:
• Rivals.com: Three stars.
• 247Sports: Three stars, No 60 junior college prospect nationally, No. 5 junior college strongside defensive end in the country and No. 6 junior college player in the state
• ESPN: Three stars, No. 48 junior college prospect nationally and No. 5 junior college defensive end in the country.
Honors/accomplishments:
• Originally played at Mission Viejo (Calif.) High, where he graduated in the class of 2015.
• Earned All-California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section West Valley Division honors as a senior.
• Was named a “Top Defensive Lineman To Watch” in the Southland as a senior at Mission Viejo by the Los Angeles Times.
• Also did track in high school.
• Will have three years to play two at NC State.
Recruitment:
• Had offers from Colorado and Colorado State coming out of high school.
• Picked up offers at junior college from Colorado State, Iowa State, Nevada and North Texas.
• Verbally committed to NC State during his official visit on Oct. 5 (for the Thursday night Louisville game) and is set to enroll in the spring.
Recruiter of record:
Defensive line coach Kevin Patrick
Quotable:
“They made me feel at home, and I could tell that they are serious and have something special going on.” — Babros
Scouting report:
• On film he appears to be a good athlete with a nice closing burst on ball carriers.
• Played mostly defensive tackle at Saddleback, where he used his quickness to his advantage.
• Will have to adjust to playing on the edge in the Pack’s 4-2-5 formation.
2017 projection:
The defensive line will be in an overhaul mode after starting four seniors this past season, and Babros was brought in specifically to help ease that transition. Thus it is likely that Babros is being counted upon to make an immediate contribution off the edge.