NC State Football Recruiting Update – January 5, 2018

National Signing Period – December 20 – 22, 2017:

21 current commits signed.  Only commit who did not sign was 3* DE/DT Derrick Eason from Virginia.  Looks like Eason wanted to wait and sign with the rest of his high school teammates on National Signing Day in February.

Several Podcast contributors on recruiting sites said that the National Signing Period in December, which was new this year, was a good thing because it helped to curb some of the drama from the February Signing Day.  One analyst even said “A lot of recruits have gotten away from the limelight and spectacle of signing in February.”

New Commitment:

Transfer 4* TE Cary Angeline from Southern Cal. 

Angeline redshirted as a freshman at Southern Cal during the 2016 season and never played one down there this year (decided to transfer before the season started).  Clay Helton, USC’s coach said that Angeline was transferring because of “homesickness and a lack of playing time.” The fact he never played a down and redshirted one year makes me think that he should have immediate eligibility for us in the fall of 2017.

Angeline should help to provide some needed depth at the TE position behind Autenreith, who really improved as the season went along (see his block on Jay-Sam’s last career TD as an example of blocking).

More about Angeline and what we are getting:

Attended Downington East HS in Exton, PA.  6’7″, 235.

Rated the #20 TE in the country (3*) by Rivals, Rated the #8 TE-Y (4*) and the #245 player overall in the ESPN 300 in the 2016 class by ESPN, Rated the #10 TE in the country (4*) and the #267 player overall in the country by Scout/24-7 Sports.  He was originally rated as high as the #4 TE in the country by Scout/24-7 Sports.

High School Stats:  148 catches for 2,340 yards with 29 TDs.

Highlights:  http://www.hudl.com/video/3/1834720/5721d144e984d413d41a04d2

Upcoming Visits:

Target 3* S John Huggins will not visit on January 19th.  He officially signed with Florida on December 20th.

Target 4* Taiyon Palmer will visit either on 1/13 or 1/20.  He was committed to Duke earlier in the fall, but has rescinded that pledge.

More about Palmer:

Attends Archer HS in Lawrenceville, Georgia.

5’11’, 177 with a 4.62 40 yard dash time.  Rated the #28 Cornerback in the Country (4*) by Scout/24-7 Sports, Rated the #50 Cornerback in the Country (3*) by Rivals, Rated the #33 Cornerback in the Country and the #257 overall player in the country (4*) by ESPN.

Highlights:  http://www.hudl.com/v/28FaRJ

Looking Ahead to 2019 Class:

With all but 2-3 prospects in hand for the 2018 class, it is now time to start looking at marquee talent in the 2019 cycle.

Estimated Scholarships Available for 2019 class:  18

Current Commit: LS Drew Little (Rated a 4* LS by Chris Rubio).

Needs:

1-2 QB (Depends on if McClendon might transfer/Finley might leave)

2 LB

2 WR

1-2 CB (Depends on if Palmer commits or not)

1 Punter

1-2 DE

1-2 TE

1-2 RB

2 DT

1-2 OL

Top 2019 Targets by Position:

QB – 4* Paul Tyson, 4* Sam Howell, NR George Johnson, 2* Nolan Grooms, NR Nick Kargman

RB – 3* Syheam McQueen, 5* Quavaris Crouch, 4* Rahmir Johnson, 4*  Khafre Brown, 4* Daniel Carter

TE – 4* Ryland Goede, NR Luke Deal, NR Jairus Thomas, 3* Kyle Bilodeau

WR – 4* JR Walker, 3* Stanley King, 4* Ramel Keyoton, 4* Lance Wilhoite, 3* Nolan Groulx, 3* Emery Simmons, 4* Taiyvon Robinson, 4* Demetrius Mauney

DE – 4* Brandon Smith, 4* Noah Potter, 3* RJ Oben, 4* Howard Cross, 4* Savion Jackson, 4* Joseph Wete, 4* Khris Bogle

DT – 4* Jaquez Sorrells, 4* Curtis Fann, 3* Christian Rorie, 4* Tyler Davis, 4* Joshua Harris, 4* CJ Clark

LB –  4* Anthony Solomon, 4* Traveon Freshwater, 4* Drake Thomas, 4* Kevin Harris, 4* Ge’mon Eaford, 3* Lance Dixon

CB – 3* Shyheim Battle, 4* Taiyvon Land, 4* Kaiir Elam, 4* Cam’Ron Kelly, 4* Tyus Fields, 4* Jaden Davis, 3* Jaylen Frazier, 4* Khalid Martin, 4* Briton Allen

Punter – Charlie Paciocco, Patrick Nations, Sage Costen

OL – 3* Timothy McKay, 3* Damerous Mills, 3* Antoine Whitner, 4* Harry Miller, NR Kamron McCray, 3* Jeremy James