KJ Caldwell Becomes One of Highest-Rated Recruits in NC State History

NC State Wolfpack football picked up a MASSIVE commitment for its 2027 recruiting class when 4-star safety KJ Caldwell announced he would be running with the Wolfpack.

To fully understand how big this commitment is, you have to zoom out historically.

Rare Recruiting Territory

Caldwell is now one of the highest-ranked recruits to ever commit to NC State during the modern recruiting database era, which dates back to the early 2000s.

According to ESPN, Caldwell currently ranks No. 78 overall nationally.

That ties him as:

The 18th highest-ranked recruit to ever commit to NC State
The 10th highest-ranked commitment of the Dave Doeren era

That’s elite company.

Highest Ranked Recruits to Commit to NC State

1) DT DeMario Pressley – 2004 – #11 (Rivals)
2) OT Robert Crisp – 2010 – #13 (Rivals)
3) RB Toney Baker – 2005 – #26 (247Sports)
4) QB Mike Glennon – 2008 – #32 (ESPN)
5) LB Payton Wilson – 2018 – #39 (247Sports)
6) QB Gunner Rivers – 2027 – #40 (247Sports)
7) RB Ricky Person – 2018 – #41 (247Sports)
8) DE Kentavius Street – 2014 – #43 (Rivals)
8) WR Richard Washington – 2002 – #43 (247Sports)
10) RB Johnny Frasier – 2015 – #44 (247Sports)
11) RB Darrell Blackman – 2003 – #46 (Rivals)
12) WR Porter Rooks – 2020 – #48 (Rivals)
13) DE Savion Jackson – 2019 – #50 (ESPN)
14) WR Terrell Anderson – 2024 – #51 (ON3)
15) OT Curtis Crouch – 2005 – #63 (Rivals)
16) CB AJ Davis – 2002 – #64 (247Sports)
17) LB Jordan Poole – 2021 – #72 (247Sports)
18) S KJ Caldwell – 2027 – #78 (ESPN)
18) DE Mario Williams – 2003 – #78 (247Sports)
20) WR Jonathan Paylor – 2024 – #79 (ESPN)

Historic 2027 Class Potential

Perhaps the craziest part?

NC State now has TWO Top-80 recruits in the same recruiting class.

Caldwell joins elite 2027 quarterback Gunner Rivers, who currently ranks No. 40 nationally by 247Sports.

That gives the Wolfpack one of the most talented recruiting foundations it has had in years.