Davin Cosby is a local kid out of Word of God Academy in Raleigh.
What that means is that he could head over to campus any time he wants to take unofficial visits, saving his limited official visits for schools not so close to home. However, that’s not what happened. Cosby used one of his official visits to really get a full experience at NC State and to see if it’s a place he’d really fit.
This tells us that Cosby is really serious about NC State, and that’s great news because he’s beginning to really get some high-level attention.
Prior to his visit on Friday, Tony Bennett (UVa’s head man) was in Raleigh to check on him.
Bennett “in Raleigh on Friday to see guard Davin Cosby Jr. .. Elijah Gertrude’s commitment had already been in the bank for several days .. UVA didn’t let that slow their pursuit of Cosby at all. Coach Williford stopped by on Thursday as well. They want another shooter.” https://t.co/E9E1RcrFlM
With Terquavion Smith set to head to the NBA (most likley) after the season, Keatts needs to bring in a volume scorer at the 2, and Cosby is one of the best on the board. In fact, we think his games looks a lot like Smith’s. He’s 6’5, has a good handle, can get to the hoop, and has unlimited range on his 3. See for yourself.
NC State is also targeting Silas Demary Jr (who is more of a combo guard and could end up being a PG in college), AJ Johnson, and Braelon Green at the guard position for 2023. Not to mention, they’ve been out to see Jaeden Mustaf, Juke Harris and Paul McNeil Jr who are all highly touted SGs in the 2024 class.
Cosby took an official to Alabama in early September, took another to Wake Forest in late July, and another to UVA in late August. With the NC State visit over with, he has LSU to look forward to on October 22nd. Auburn and Tennessee also can’t be counted out, but we think Cosby will have NC State in the mix until the very end.
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.
ESPN ranks Howard as the #53 overall player nationally in the 2024 recruiting class, and the #3 player in the state of Georgia.
Howard is familiar with NC State, because NC State 2023 signee Trey Parker played with him down at Overtime Elite. In 2022-23, Howard averaged 10.1 points per game, shooting 58.6% from the field.
Check out these pictures of Howard on an unofficial visit to NC State with Parker.
4-Star 2024 Small Forward Jahki Howard (6’7″/180) took an Unofficial Visit to NC State yesterday alongside 4-Star Shooting Guard Paul McNeil, who verbally committed to run with the Wolfpack yesterday.
Howard is ranked as the #51 overall player nationally in the 2024 class by Rivals, and the #4 player in the state of Georgia according to ESPN. Howard plays for Overtime Elite in Atlanta, where 2023 NC State signee Trey Parker plays.
He also holds offers from Georgetown, Georgia Tech, Providence, Auburn, Rutgers, Illinois, Texas A&M, Mississippi St, Wake Forest, Florida, LSU, Ole Miss, Arizona St, Kansas, Georgia, Texas, Tennessee, Arkansas, and others.
As far as I can tell, Howard doesn’t hold an offer from NC State at this point.
Jahki Howard earns Player of the Week honors after a big performance vs. Hillcrest dropping 25 PTS, 8 REB, 5 AST 🚀 @showtime_kipic.twitter.com/yPD5psrm2m
What a day! 4-Star 2024 Shooting Guard Paul McNeil (6’6″/185) wrapped up his Official Visit to NC State today by committing to run with the Wolfpack, after watching them defeat their rival UNC in PNC Arena.
McNeil is the #17 overall player nationally in the 2024 recruiting class according to ESPN, and the #2 player in the state of North Carolina.
In 2022-23, McNeil is averaging 23.9 points, 8.7 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.4 steals per game for Richmond High School. Last year, he became the first ever Sophomore to win the Gatorade Player of the Year Award in the state of North Carolina.
McNeil also held offers from Clemson, Indiana, Illinois, Tennessee, Alabama, Miami, Georgetown, St. John’s, LSU, Virginia Tech, Missouri, and others.