Last night NC State picked up their first transfer of the 2024 class in former Wake Forest Wide Receiver Wesley Grimes. I caught up with Grimes, and he broke down his commitment to the Wolfpack.

What led you to enter the portal?

I didn’t feel like Wake was the place that was going to maximize my potential and give me the best opportunity. The point I’m at in my career, with only two years of eligibility left, and where Wake Forest is as a program, it just wasn’t lining up, and I felt like it was best for me to leave Wake.

You almost chose NC State out of high school. What led you to be quick to choose them now?

NC State was already a top school I was considering out of high school, and when I hit the portal, after hearing from the coaches at State, and the opportunity that presented itself, it was a no brainer. Plus, where the program is headed is something I want to be a part of, especially being from Raleigh.

What do you bring to NC State’s offense?

State is going to get the best out of me, on and off the field. I’m someone that’s very competitive and wants to win championships. I’m a ‘big play’ type of receiver and a ‘deep threat’ guy. I’m someone that will do whatever it takes for the team, so if that means I have to block for us to get the win, I’m going to block to the best of my ability. If that means catch the ball and make plays for us to win, I’m going to catch the ball and make plays.

What excites you about what’s happening at NC State?

Everything. I feel like State is at a really good place as a program and the future for this program is special.

What is your relationship with the current players? How much were they recruiting you?

I have a great relationship with a lot of current and past players, and every single one of them had nothing but good things to say about the program. It wasn’t a hard decision for me, so they didn’t have to do too much recruiting, but whenever I had questions they would answer them truthfully, and be straight up with me.

Talk to me about your relationship with the NC State coaches? What’s been their pitch to you?

I have a great relationship with the coaches. Even though I didn’t choose State out of high school, there was never any bad blood between us, and we left on good terms. What they are expecting from me is someone who’s going to come in and work every single day, and give them my very best. They want me to come in and be that ‘dog’ they know I can be to help this team win and reach new heights, and that’s what I’m going to do.

What are your expectations for next year? Are you now in a role to recruit other players?

My expectation for next year is to just control what I can control and be the best version of myself. I’m going to attack everyday with a positive attitude and be someone that my teammates can lean on when times get tough.

I have been making some phone calls and texting some people, so we’ll see what happens, and only time will tell.

When Kansas State lost their Offensive Coordinator Collin Klein to Texas A&M, the fear of Wildcat fans was that Freshman Quarterback Avery Johnson would follow. After 4-year starter Will Howard announced he would be entering the Transfer Portal, holding onto Johnson, who was a 4-star consensus prospect in high school, was a desperate need for K-State.

Kansas State rolled out a hype video of Johnson, revealing that he was changing his number from 5 to 2, which has been his number his entire life prior to college, establishing the fact that Johnson wasn’t going anywhere.

Mission hasn’t changed@avery2johnson pic.twitter.com/aoavAwKp4Y

— K-State Football (@KStateFB) December 7, 2023

Johnson played in 7 games this season, completing 25 of 35 passes for 301 yards and 3 touchdowns, with no interceptions. He also rushed the ball for 225 yards and 6 touchdowns, averaging 5.0 yards per carry.

Out of high school, ESPN ranked Johnson as the #77 overall player nationally, the #3 dual threat Quarterback, and the #1 player in the state of North Carolina. Rivals ranked him as the #1 dual threat Quarterback.

NC State’s Payton Wilson won the Butkus Award earlier this week, naming him the best Linebacker in college football. Tonight he won the Bednarik Award, which has been given out annually to the best defensive player in college football since 1995.

Wilson beat out Alabama Linebacker Dallas Turner and UCLA’s Defensive End Laiatu Latu.

Prior to this week, no NC State Linebacker had ever won the Butkus Award. Prior to tonight, no NC State defensive player had ever won the Bednarik Award.

Below is a list of the former Bednarik Award winners.

In one week, Wilson has done what no other Linebacker of defensive player at NC State has ever done.

Go ahead and retire the #11 already!

NC State just picked up their first transfer of the 2024 class, and it’s a big one. Former Wake Forest Wide Receiver Wesley Grimes (6’2″/187) just committed to run with the Wolfpack.

As a Sophomore this season, Grimes caught 20 passes for 339 yards and 4 touchdowns in 12 games. As a True Freshman last year, he played in his 6 games, collecting 4 receptions for 33 yards and a touchdown.

In all reality, Grimes is coming home. He was a 4-Star prospect out of Millbrook High School here in Raleigh. ON3, 247Sports and Rivals all ranked Grimes as a Top-250 prospect in the 2022 recruiting class, with Rivals ranking him as the #36 overall player nationally, the #4 Wide Receiver, and the #2 player in the state of North Carolina.

From a recruiting rankings standpoint, Grimes instantly becomes the highest ranked player on NC State’s roster. Since he played as a True Freshman, Grimes has 3 seasons to play 2 years of eligibility.

Back in 2021, Grimes chose the Demon Deacons over NC State, Tennessee, Duke and Louisville. On December 8th, 2023, Grimes decided to come back home and run with the Pack.