Football Recruiting

RIVALS: Has NC State surged past North Carolina in recruiting?

Published

6 years ago

August 25, 2018

Yesterday two of Rivals national writers discussed in a piece whether or not NC State had “surged past” UNC in football recruiting.

For context, NC State hasn’t finished higher in the Rivals Conference Recruiting Rankings since 2008.

2018 looks like it will be the year.

NC State has commitments from 15 of the Top-50 players in the state of North Carolina. UNC has 1.

The Wolfpack has commitments from 3 of the Top-7 players in the state.

Here’s what National Rivals Analysts Adam Friedman and Tom Farrell had to say on the matter:

FIRST TAKE: ADAM FRIEDMAN, MID-ATLANTIC RECRUITING ANALYST

“Am I surprised by NC State’s success? No, but I am surprised North Carolina hasn’t put up more of a fight. The Wolfpack coaching staff has been working tirelessly to build strong relationships around the state and their success on the field last season seems to have jump-started in-state confidence surrounding the program. If Dave Doeren can keep his squad performing well on the field, don’t expect the recruiting momentum to slow down.”

SECOND TAKE: MIKE FARRELL, NATIONAL RECRUITING DIRECTOR

“They’re doing a really good job in the state and that’s a state other schools poach and steal kids away from all the time. North Carolina is coming off an abysmal year and recruiting momentum is not there for the Tar Heels at all. NC State is coming off a year where it was in the news early, got off to a very strong start and put one of its players (Bradley Chubb) high in the draft. The Wolfpack have one of the top quarterbacks in the country and their staff is energetic and aggressive. They’ve done a really good job.

“It doesn’t surprise me that they’re doing so well compared to UNC. I don’t know if they’ll get Quavaris Crouch, though. I think he’s destined for a bigger program.” (Rivals)