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Dylan Autenrieth committed to NC State back on June 18th this summer.  He’s a 3-star Tight End out of Georgia, and he’s already used to playing for the Wolfpack, because NC State and North Paulding share the same mascot.  Yesterday, I caught up with Robert Jones, North Paulding’s football coach, to get his take on what it’s been like to coach Dylan Autenrieth.

“Dylan’s a great kid.  He’s got all the tools.  He’s just one of those kids that happens to have them.  He’s 6’4″ and some change, 220lbs, runs great, great hands, works hard, and is a very smart football player.  He’s also got around a 4.0 GPA,” said Jones. “He’s got everything you want in a player, and we just don’t have enough of him around here.  He’s a big weapon for us, and we’re definitely going to take advantage of that, and get the ball in his hands as much as we can.  I’ve been coaching for 30 years, and every 8 or 9 years you get a big ‘ol kid like Dylan that has it all.  I’ve had just a few of those.”

The biggest area of improvement that Jones has seen in Autenrieth over the years has been his work in the weight room.  The young man hasn’t always weighed 220lbs.

“Three years ago he was a tall and skinny weak kid.  He always played basketball and has broken every record at our school,” said Jones. “He’s worked extremely hard in the weight room.  He would be a good one to look at a before and after picture over a three-year period.”

Jones said the biggest way that Autenrieth can help his team this season is to stay on the field as much as possible.  Even though he would prefer not play him both ways, Autenrieth might end up being too valuable to take off the field.

“He’s just one of those kids that doesn’t really come off of the field.  We try to rest our kids as much as we can, but he’s just going to have to be a lasting presence out there.  He’s on all of the special teams except kickoff.  He just needs to stay on the field, because when he’s out there he’s a threat.  He’s in really good shape,” said Jones. “As long as he’s out there we have chance to make plays.  We try not to play players both ways, but we may get to game four or five and he’ll be starting at wide receiver and defensive end.  We’d hate to have to do that with him, but we saw what he could do at Spring practice at Defensive End , and a lot of colleges realized he could play there too.”

Autenrieth has a frame that could lead him to play at a variety of positions at NC State in the future according to Jones.  Skill players don’t typically have his natural frame and ability.

“He’s one of those kids that could easily carry 245-50 pounds on his almost 6’5″ frame.  There’s no telling what happens when he gets to NC State,” said Jones. “It wouldn’t surprise me if he’s a great tight end.  It wouldn’t surprise me if he lost 8 pounds and was playing receiver.  It also wouldn’t surprise me if he put on 30 pounds and played defensive end.  He can do it all.”

Tonight Autenrieth and his North Paulding squad get the season started off on the road against McEachern, who Jones says is the #12 team in the nation.

Matthew is Co-Owner of Pack Insider. He writes for all sports, with a focus on football and recruiting, and is in charge of business strategy. He is an NC State alum who majored in business. Matthew is also the lead pastor of The Point Church in Cary, NC.

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Basketball Recruiting

North Carolina High School Athletes Will Now be Able to Profit off NIL

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NIL has shaken up the college sports world, and now it will be shaking up the high school sports world in North Carolina (NCHSAA), becoming one of 27 states to approve the ability for high school athletes to profit off their Name, Image and Likeness.

This will officially take place beginning July 1.

In order for a student athlete to begin this process, they will have to take a course on NIL, and their parents, coaches and athletic director will as well. Schools and coaches will not be able to represent the student in NIL Deals, and they will also not be allowed to use NIL as a way to draw athletes to their school.

There are restrictions on what student athletes can profit off of though.

The NCHSAA will prohibit student-athletes from entering into NIL deals with products around adult entertainment, alcohol, cannabis, controlled substances, firearms and ammunition, gambling, prescription drugs, as well as tobacco, vaping, and other Nicotine-related products. Athletes cannot affiliate themselves with a specific school, conference, school district, the NCHSAA, or the NFHS through a NIL deal.

(Link)

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Football Recruiting

NC State’s 2024 Recruiting Class Ranks 29th After Scott Committment

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When Running Back Jayden Scott committed this week, NC State picked up their 5th verbal commitment of the 2024 recruiting class. After his addition, the Wolfpack’s 2024 class currently ranks 29th nationally according to Rivals.

(Rivals)

247Sports ranks the class 30th, and ON3 ranks it 34th.

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Football Recruiting

3-Star RB Jayden Scott Commits to NC State

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Yesterday 3-Star 2024 Running Back Jayden Scott (5’10″/190) verbally committed to NC State.

Scott chose to run with the Wolfpack over Wake Forest and Rutgers. “Duke” battled injury during his Junior season at Stockbridge (Stockbridge, GA), but did play in the final 5 games, averaging 108.4 yards rushing per game. He averaged 8.5 yards per carry, and rushed for 10 touchdowns.

The Wolfpack now has 5 verbal commitments in their 2024 recruiting class. Even though QB Cedrick Bailey and CB Asaad Brown are 4-star recruits according to Rivals, Scott is the highest rated out of the 5 according to ON3.

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Football Recruiting

PI EXCLUSIVE: 4-Star DB Asaad Brown Breaks Down Commitment to NC State

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4-Star 2024 Cornerback Asaad Brown verbally committed to NC State back on March 22nd. I caught up with Brown, and got his take on why he decided to run with the Wolfpack.

They’ve been extremely consistent in letting me know I’m a priority. We’ve built a relationship for a few years. I feel extremely comfortable with their plans for me.

The position I’m coming in for allows me to be versatile and allows me to make plays in a variety ways.

I just need to continuously work on my craft and stay ready so I don’t have to get ready. My main goal is to come in and be able to contribute as a true freshman.

My connection is great [with the NC State coaches]. I feel like we are family. Everyone brings good energy and vibes when I’m around. North Carolina is my home state, so it just all makes sense. It just feels right.

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