Last night NC State 2024 4-Star ATH verbal commit Ronnie Royal III snagged one of the best interceptions I’ve EVER seen in the Alabama 5A state championship game.

See another look at that 3rd quarter one-handed interception by @Ronnie_Royal3x and @GSHSDolphins @espn @SportsCenter @ESPNAssignDesk #SCtop10 @AHSAA_football @NFHS_Org pic.twitter.com/bKDrR4bu4n

— AHSAA (@AHSAAUpdates) December 8, 2023

PLAY OF THE SUPER 7? Gulf Shores senior @Ronnie_Royal3x makes this one-handed interception seem effortless! It was one of his many highlights on the way to Super 7 MVP honors! Royal and the Dolphins (@GSHSDolphins) finish 15-0 with the school’s first state championship! 🏈 pic.twitter.com/XpnUcNcmYR

— Gerhard Mathangani (@Gerhard_TV) December 8, 2023

Royal’s Gulf Shores squad defeated Ramsay 21-14. On the other side of the ball, he finished with 22 carries for 188 yards and 2 touchdowns.

PLAY OF THE SUPER 7? Gulf Shores senior @Ronnie_Royal3x makes this one-handed interception seem effortless! It was one of his many highlights on the way to Super 7 MVP honors! Royal and the Dolphins (@GSHSDolphins) finish 15-0 with the school’s first state championship! 🏈 pic.twitter.com/XpnUcNcmYR

— Gerhard Mathangani (@Gerhard_TV) December 8, 2023

Heading into the game last night, Royal had 2,470 all-purpose yards on the year, with 884 rushing, 435 receiving, 606 on punt returns and 154 on kickoff returns. Prior to last night, he had 24 touchdowns on the season, with 15 rushing, 1 receiving, 4 on punt return, 2 on kickoff return and 2 interceptions returned for TD’s.

NC State is getting a gem.

Ever since Miami offered NC State Quarterback commit Cedrick Bailey on November 19th, there has been a question mark surrounding his commitment to the Wolfpack. The 4-Star prospect lives 30 minutes or so from Miami. Two of his teammates are verbally committed to the Hurricanes: 4-Star WR Joshisa Trader and 4-Star ATH Zaquan Patterson.

Today, Bailey played in the state championship game, and his elite Chaminade squad blistered Clearwater 56-0. Bailey was 17 of 23 for 322 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Bailey still has an NC State logo on the back of his helmet, and Wolfpack head coach Dave Doeren was in attendance today on the sideline.

“It’s great to see to have my coach out here and he seeing me shining and winning,” said Bailey, who also wore an NC State decal on the back of his helmet. “It’s great to have Coach Doreen over here. I put on a show for him and those guys at N.C. State.” (Link)

There were also Miami coaches in attendance.

After the game, Bailey wouldn’t definitively say if his commitment was still solid with the Wolfpack.

“It’s kind of iffy right now,” said Bailey. “I think I have my mind set on what I want to do right now, so we’re going to see on signing day.” (Link)

Bailey’s Senior campaign has been outstanding, throwing for 47 touchdowns, and only 6 interceptions, completing 72% of his passes.

If the Wolfpack can hold onto him, they will be getting a good one.

Cards on the table…I like that he had the NC State logo on the back of his helmet…but I still don’t feel confident heading into signing day on December 20th.

According to a source, Missouri Transfer Offensive Lineman Valen Erickson (6’6″/313) will be taking an Official Visit to NC State this weekend.

Erickson announced he would be entering the Transfer Portal on November 13th.

It’s been real Mizzou🖤
Onto The Next Chapter pic.twitter.com/rWlyyUXj0t

— Valen Erickson (@ValenErickson) November 13, 2023

As a high school prospect, Erickson was a 3-star prospect out of Chicago, Illinois, also holding an offer from Nebraska. Rivals ranked him as the #7 player in the state of Illinois in the 2022 class.

Erickson has 3-years of eligibility remaining.

UCONN Transfer Tight End Justin Joly (6’3″/215) will be taking an Official Visit to NC State this weekend according to a source.

Joly announced he was entering the Transfer Portal on November 30th.

pic.twitter.com/kcG2n0G3GE

— Justin Joly (@jjoly_17) November 30, 2023

Joly had an incredible Sophomore campaign, catching 56 passes for 578 yards and 2 touchdowns. He had 4 receptions for 38 yards in the season opener against the Wolfpack.

ON3 ranks Joly as the #21 overall prospect in the Transfer Portal, and the #1 Tight End. 247Sports ranks him as the #23 overall player in the Portal, and the #2 Tight End.

Joly has 2 years of eligibility remaining.