Rivals ranked which teams they thought brought in the best 1-2 punch at running back in the 2019 recruiting class, and NC State’s combination of Zonovan Knight (4-Star) and Jordan Houston (3-Star) ranked 5th nationally.

The skinny: Knight was a big in-state commitment for the Wolfpack during the summer, while Houston was a late addition to the class after flipping from Maryland in late January. Together they should provide NC State’s offense with plenty of firepower in the coming years.

Farrell’s take: Knight is a slasher with good speed who has the ability to be a three-down back and Houston is an excellent receiver who runs good routes. This could be a duo that helps take NC State to the next level offensively in the ACC. (Rivals)

Penn State, Alabama, LSU and Stanford were ranked ahead of the Wolfpack in that order.

Zonovan Knight rushed for 2,054 yards and 26 touchdowns for Southern Nash this year, averaging a gaudy 16.5 yards per carry. He also picked up a touchdown reception, and took two punts and one kickoff to the house. Rivals ranked him as the #13 player in the state of North Carolina, and the #21 running back nationally. Knight was originally a Duke commit.

Jordan Houston rushed for 1,582 yards (12.4 yards per carry) and 20 touchdowns for Flint Hill High School (Oakton, VA) this past season. Rivals ranks him as the #18 player in the state of Virginia, and the 8th best all-purpose back in the 2019 class. Houston was originally a Maryland commit.

4-Star 2020 Defensive End Jacolbe Cowan (6’5″/270) revealed his Top-12 schools on Thursday, and NC State made the cut along with Alabama, Clemson, UNC, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon, Penn State, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

Blessed to see 17 years of life .. ✊🏽

All glory to God, from whom all blessings flow! 🙏🏽

And Then There Was 1️⃣2️⃣ … pic.twitter.com/my0mC6CY8W

— Jacolbe C 1️⃣2️⃣ (@JacolbeCowan12) February 8, 2019

ESPN ranks Cowan as the #23 overall player in the 2020 recruiting class, and 247Sports ranks him as the #2 player in the state of North Carolina. He plays for Providence Day in Charlotte, and was teammates with incoming Freshman OL Ikem Ekwonu and 2020 Wolfpack commit WR Porter Rooks.

Cowan unofficially visited NC State for their game against Virginia this past season.

NC State Today! 🐺 #1Pack1Goal pic.twitter.com/BYzGKK3ogd

— Jacolbe C 1️⃣2️⃣ (@JacolbeCowan12) September 29, 2018

Sophomore Highlights (Couldn’t find Junior Highlights anywhere)

National Signing Day was Wednesday, and the 2019 football recruiting class is a wrap.

What NC State head coach Dave Doeren and his staff did putting together the 2019 class is extremely impressive.

I already posed earlier today that the Wolfpack has reeled in Top-30 recruiting classes in 247Sports rankings for the 1st time ever.

Now I want to point out the fact that this recruiting class ranks 28th nationally according to Rivals, which is the highest ranked NC State class in their database since 2005!

The Wolfpack’s 2019 recruiting class is tied for their 3rd best class since 2002 according to Rivals.

NC State’s Final Rivals Football Recruiting Ranking

2019: 28th
2018: 34th
2017: 53rd
2016: 43rd
2015: 35th
2014: 30th
2013: 47th
2012: 54th
2011: 86th
2010: 34th
2009: 52nd
2008: 31st
2007: 50th
2006: 51st
2005: 27th
2004: 28th
2003: 7th
2002: 34th

National Signing Day has come and gone, and NC State’s 2019 football recruiting class is complete.

The Wolfpack’s recruiting momentum has no signs of slowing down, compiling the #26 recruiting class nationally according to 247Sports.

For perspective, in the history of the 247Sports database, NC State has NEVER reeled in back-to-back Top-30 recruiting classes, dating back to 2001.

This years haul is the 4th highest rated class since 2001 according to 247Sports, and last years class was the 3rd best.

NC State’s Final 247Sports Football Recruiting Ranking

2019: 26th
2018: 24th
2017: 43rd
2016: 59th
2015: 30th
2014: 37th
2013: 62nd
2012: 50th
2011: 71st
2010: 31st
2009: 48th
2008: 23rd
2007: 46th
2006: 48th
2005: 29th
2004: 40th
2003: 17th
2002: 46th
2001: 43rd