NC State football commitment analysis: Quarterback Aaron McLaughlin
On Thursday afternoon, three-star quarterback Aaron McLaughlin from Denmark High in Alpharetta, Ga., went public with his verbal commitment to the NC State Wolfpack.
The 6-foot-5, 215-pound McLaughlin is rated by Rivals.com as the No. 21 pro-style quarterback in the country and the No. 24 prospect in talent-rich Georgia. He is the Wolfpack's fifth verbal commitment in the 2021 class.
As a junior, McLaughlin completed 134 of 220 passes for 2,018 yards and 17 touchdowns with seven picks in 10 games while helping Denmark go 7-3 in the second year of the program. He also rushed 79 times for 284 yards and nine scores.
Here is an analysis of McLaughlin's commitment:
1. A big deal
McLaughlin was at one point a four-star recruit, but the updated Rivals.com rankings now have him as the No. 21 pro-style quarterback in the country and a high three-star. That's still among the highest-rated signal-callers in Wolfpack history.
Since 2002, here are the highest-rated quarterbacks to commit to or end up at NC State:
• Four-star Mike Glennon in 2008 (No. 59 nationally and No. 3 pro-style)
• Four-star Jacoby Brissett in 2011 (No. 75 nationally and No. 3 pro-style when he signed with Florida)
• Four-star Marcus Stone in 2003 (No. 84 nationally and No. 3 dual-threat)
• Four-star Devin Leary in 2018 (No. 240 nationally and No. 9 pro-style)
• Four-star Pete Thomas in 2010 (No. 16 pro-style when he signed with Colorado State)
• Three-star Bailey Hockman in 2017 (No. 15 pro-style when he signed with Florida State)
• Three-star Justin Burke in 2006 (No. 16 pro-style)
• McLaughlin in 2021 (No. 21 pro-style)
There are only two quarterbacks rated higher than McLaughlin committed to an ACC school in the 2021 class, and there are only three ranked higher than him still uncommitted.
You must be a member to read the full article. Subscribe now for instant access to all premium content.
-
Members-only forums
-
Predict prospect commits with FanFutureCast
-
Exclusive highlights and interviews
-
Exclusive coverage of Rivals Camp Series
-
Breaking recruiting news