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Payton Wilson de-commits from UNC , did NC State flip him?

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We’ve been following this story pretty closely over the past few weeks, but today was the first real break.


That’s right, the 4-star linebacker has finally given UNC notice that he won’t be attending there next year. So where is he going? That’s still debatable, but NC State is thought to be one of two landing places (the other being Notre Dame).

Wilson was recently nominated for the U.S. Army National Player of the Year Award (16 nominees) for what he was able to accomplish in 8 games before he tore his ACL. In eight games, Wilson completed 13-of-27 passes for 125 yards, rushed for 222 yards and five touchdowns on 67 carries, caught 15 passes for 263 yards and four touchdowns, posted 103 tackles and 10 sacks, intercepted one pass and recovered one fumble.

Wilson actually took an official visit to NC State when they played Clemson, even while he was still committed to the Tar Heels. That was the first real sign that the Pack had a chance.

Doeren also made no secret that they were trying to flip the talented in-state LB. He was on the sidelines on October 6th along with Larry Fedora, to watch Wilson play. We actually had a story on that sideline showdown.

Other signs that have pointed to NC State thinking they would flip Wilson was the fact that NC State canceled Keshon Artis’ (another 4 star LB) official visit on November 4th. We talked to Artis who didn’t seem happy and who told us that the NC State coaches didn’t want him to come that weekend because Wilson would be there.

Now, with only a few days until NC State and UNC take the field for their rivalry game, Payton Wilson announces his decommitment. It seems like all the puzzle pieces are fitting together for Wilson to commit to the Pack, right?

Not so fast.

Ths news is also coming on the heels of his other official visit to Notre Dame, where he reportedly said it would be a place he could see himself leaving the state for. Was that just him talking to a Notre Dame reporter and talking up the school he visited? Or did the Irish really blow him away? We’ll have to wait and see.

Other are saying Clemson and Ohio State are also in the mix.

NC State Football

Does the Addition of the UVA Series Equal the Elimination of NC State’s Series with App St.?

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Earlier this week it was announced that NC State and Virginia would play one another in a home-and-home series, with the Wolfpack hosting in 2025, and the Cavaliers hosting in 2026.

Prior to the announcement, NC State already had their non-conference slate booked for both of those seasons.

As a result of the addition of the Virginia series, a previously scheduled non-conference game from each season would need to be dropped. While it hasn’t been officially announced by the school, Joe Giglio and David Glenn seem to think that the series with Appalachian State is going to be dropped.

It would make the most sense, considering the Mountaineers were the only opponent the Wolfpack was scheduled to play in both 2025 and 2026. It would also make sense, considering the fact that ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips isn’t a fan of ACC teams playing Group of 5 schools on the road.

I will tell you this much. The Mountaineer faithful certainly believe NC State is dropping the series with App State, and it just takes a little scrolling on X (formerly Twitter) to get a read on their feelings on the situation.

This situation brings to mind the bill that has been proposed in the North Carolina House of Representatives that would force NC State and UNC to play App St., ECU and UNC Charlotte in Football, Men’s Basketball and Women’s Basketball.

If the addition of UVA means the elimination of App St. on NC State’s schedule, what are your thoughts? Share in the comments.

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CBS Sports Ranks Dave Doeren as 1 of the Top-20 Coaches in College Football

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CBS Sports released their Top-25 Power 4 Coaches in College Football, and NC State’s Dave Doeren came in at #16. Heading into last season, he went into the season ranked #25.

16) Dave Doeren: The NC State coach finally gets some overdue credit. He’s always hovered around the bottom of our top 25 or just outside it, and now he finds himself firmly entrenched in it thanks to all the changes at the top. Coaches who take mid-tier programs and overachieve never get enough credit, in my estimation, and the consistency Doeren has established at NC State — where he spent most of his time in a division with Clemson and Florida State — is one of the most impressive things any coach in the country has done. I’m glad to see Doeren getting closer to the top 15. 2023 rank: 25 (+9) (CBS Sports)

Numerous CBS Sports’ analysts voted in the poll, and Tom Fornelli actually ranked Doeren #8.

ACC Coaches that made the Top-25

3. Dabo Swinney (Clemson)

8. Mike Norvell (FSU)

16. Dave Doeren (NC State)

19. Jeff Brohm (Louisville)

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NC State vs. Tennessee Kickoff Time & TV Network Revealed

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Kickoff time and TV Channel details have been revealed for NC State and Tennessee’s game in the Duke Mayo Classic in Week 2 of next season.

The game will be a primetime game on Saturday 7th, at 7:30pm on ABC.

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This game has the makings to be a Top-25 matchup.

Here’s a look at some of the Way-Too-Early Preseason rankings for the Wolfpack and the Volunteers:

Action Network: NC State #24/Tennessee #17

ON3: NC State #22/Tennessee #15

247: NC State #21/Tennessee #11

ESPN: NC State #17/Tennessee #15

DraftKings released their way-too-early odds for the game, and Tennessee is currently a 5.5-point favorite.

Here’s the deal, as NC State fans, if we want to be a big time Football program, NC State fans need to gobble up tickets to this game. Let’s do our part and make sure that Bank of America Stadium is painted RED. Buy Tickets HERE.

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NC State and UVA Agree to Home-and-Home Non-Conference Games

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NC State announced this morning that the Wolfpack and UVA will play in a home-and-home non-conference series, with the game in 2025 being in Raleigh, and the game in 2026 being in Charlottesville.

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To reiterate, despite the fact that both teams are in the ACC, these games are considered non-conference games, and won’t count toward conference records. This is similar to what UNC and Wake Forest did a few years back.

Here’s what’s interesting about the addition of these games in 2025 and 2026. Prior to the announcement, NC State already had 4 non-conference games scheduled for both years.

It would be my assumption that one of the previously scheduled non-conference games for each season will not take place now.

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