The NC State recruiting class is shaping up to be one of the more competitive classes in college football. According to 247 Sports, the recruiting class is ranked 40th nationally. The Wolfpack are bringing in five of the top 25 recruits in North Carolina, and three “four-star” recruits. Many of the Wolfpack’s newest members seek to make meaningful contributions in their freshman campaigns.
Javonte Vereen
Vereen is a four-star tight end and the 18th-best prospect in the state. He enrolled early and was able to attend spring practices. While he weighs in at 205 pounds, he shows more than enough athleticism to make up for being slightly undersized. Vereen took reps with the first team in the Spring game and has a great catch radius. He is athletic enough to create good separation but needs to improve his route running and speed to make an immediate impact.
At Havelock High School, Vereen was a three-sport athlete who excelled on the basketball court and the baseball diamond. His versatility is one of his best attributes; he can play both lined up as a tight end and as a receiver. He played on both sides of the ball in high school and tallied 40 touchdowns in his high school career. Vereen is hard to bring down and a very physical playmaker who will bring much-needed receiving ability to the Wolfpack wideout core.
Zack Myers
Myers excelled on both sides of the ball at Christ High School, but profiles as a safety for the Wolfpack. Additionally, he enrolled early to attend Spring practices. Myers showcases great running ability as a state champion track runner, and like Vereen, is very versatile. He tallied two interceptions and five pass breakups while also catching eight touchdowns on offense.
The Wolfpack recruiting class features multiple great athletes, and Myers is no exception. His speed and agility allow him to make plays all over the field. As both a basketball player and a high jumper in high school, his natural athleticism shines when he is on the field. Myers can play both the cornerback and safety positions and could potentially return kicks with his explosive speed and shiftiness. Since the Wolfpack secondary already features Ayden White and Shyheim Battle, Myers’ path to the starting lineup is more than likely as a free safety. If Myers can pick up the defensive scheme, he will be a great coverage player who has potential to make highlight reel interceptions and dynamic tackles in the open field.
Darion Rivers
Rivers is another athletic young prospect for the Wolfpack recruiting class of 2023. At 255 pounds, Rivers is agile while also possessing great strength. He is the 18th-ranked player in the class and the 32nd offensive tackle prospect in the nation. The Wolfpack are no strangers to great offensive line prospects, most recently sending Ikem Ekwonu and Chandler Zavala to the NFL. If Rivers can add some size while remaining a great athlete, he has the potential to become another Wolfpack lineman with next-level abilities.
As a freshman, he will have the chance to start immediately on the offensive line that is looking to improve its rushing attack. After only averaging 3.3 yards per rush, the Wolfpack needs capable offensive line help. Rivers can step into a starting spot by impressing in summer workouts and showcasing his elite athleticism at the tackle position.
Transfer Recruits
The Wolfpack brought in multiple transfers in the 2023 recruiting class. Headlining the group is quarterback Brennan Armstrong from Virginia. Armstrong had a rough 2022 campaign, passing for only 2,210 yards. However, he threw for 4,449 yards in 2021 under offensive coordinator Robert Anae, who is now the coordinator for the Wolfpack. Armstrong is the favorite to win the Quarterback battle and could make NC State’s offense one of the most competitive in the ACC if he can return to his 2021 form.
Dacari Collins was a four-star recruit out of high school who transfers over from Clemson University. Despite being a highly touted prospect, he didn’t receive many opportunities at Clemson. Collins amassed 229 yards on 17 catches in two years and hopes to make more of an impact on the Wolfpack offense.
After losing kicker Chris Dunn, the Wolfpack bring in Brayden Narveson from Western Kentucky University. Narveson only missed one extra point in 159 attempts throughout his career but has a 77.9% field goal percentage. While Dunn’s production as a kicker is nearly impossible to replicate, Narveson will be a reliable kicker on extra points and intermediate-range field goals.
Other Notable 2023 Recruits
While the recruiting class is highlighted by the four-star recruits, the rest of the class is very competitive just the same. Bishop Fitzgerald is the number one ranked junior college safety and looks to add to an already deep Wolfpack secondary. Meanwhile, Lex Thomas is a three-star quarterback and the 25th-ranked prospect in North Carolina. Thomas is the younger brother of Wolfpack standouts Drake Thomas and Thayer Thomas. While Armstrong will most likely be the starting signal caller, Thomas will have ample time to develop and learn the offense. He will have a chance to compete to be the next fan-favorite Thomas’s brother at NC State. Lastly, wide receiver Kevin Concepcion and defensive lineman Isaiah Shirley are also top 25 prospects in the state. Both Concepcion and Shirley have the opportunity to make impacts early in their careers.
All in all, the Wolfpack recruiting class of 2023 is a promising group. While each prospect has a long road ahead before they can make an impact, these players show the athleticism and football ability to be impact players at their respective positions.
Photo courtesy: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
