Letter of intent No. 8: Three-star defensive lineman Davontae McCrae
Measurables:
• He was 6-foot-3, 254 pounds at the Nike Camp in Orlando … Was laser-timed at 5.05 seconds in the 40-yard dash and 4.71 seconds in the shuttle … Also registered a 41.5-foot power ball throw and a 25.8-inch vertical leap for an overall rating of 88.11.
Ratings:
• Rivals.com: Three stars..
• 247Sports: Three stars, No. 37 strongside defensive end in the country and No. 148 player in the state.
• ESPN: Three stars, No. 124 defensive end in the country and No. 229 player in the state.
• Miami Herald: No. 58 player in Broward and Dade Counties.
Honors/accomplishments:
• Played primarily offensive tackle as a senior and helped lead Northwestern High to a 6-A state title, its first championship in 10 years.
• Northwestern finished the year ranked No. 10 nationally by MaxPreps.com.
• Played previously at Jackson High in Miami, where his teammate last year was NCSU redshirting freshman running back Nakia Robinson.
• Was selected to play in the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl in New Orleans on Dec. 30.
Recruitment:
• Originally committed to Louisville as a junior but decommitted following that season.
• Committed to NC State on July 7 over the Cards, Tennessee, Wake Forest, Central Florida and East Carolina.
• Stayed committed despite offers during the season from Maryland and Virginia and continued recruitment by Louisville.
Recruiter of record:
Wide receivers coach George McDonald.
Quotable:
“This is a gifted football player who is always around the ball, and as he learns more about the sport and the position, his stock will continue to rise. McCrae has already turned heads at combines in the past few months. He is a solid football player.” — South Florida recruiting reporter Larry Blustein.
Scouting report:
• Likely projects as a three-technique defensive tackle.
• Is a good athlete for his size and showed impressive footwork as a senior playing offensive tackle.
• Will have to bulk up to play along the interior in college.
2017 projection:
McCrae is a good bet to redshirt unless he quickly makes gains in the weight room under strength and conditioning coach Dantonio Burnette.