Here is an update of some happenings in the NC State Football recruiting world by Matt Ritter.

Recruiting Update – November 17, 2017

New Commits:  4* DE/DT Alim McNeill and 3* DE Joseph Boletepeli.

Boletepeli reportedly is 6’4″, 244, and has a 6’10” wingspan.  Boletepeli is very athletic, but definitely needs some coaching on technique and some time to fill out his frame, but definitely has a huge upside.

Highlights of Boletepeli:

McNeill is such an athletic individual that he will more than likely play immediately next year. He has the athleticism and frame to play anywhere from DE to DT to OLB.  One analyst has said that his frame and speed look like he is around 240 pounds but he is really like 270.  On film, he reminds me of Jasper Brinkley, who used to play at South Carolina (ultra athletic, bigger frame, but extremely versatile).

Highlights of McNeil

Committed to other Schools:  Target 4* LB Keshon Artis – Committed to Virginia Tech on 11/14.  Not sure what all took place with his recruitment, but we cancelled his official visit for the Clemson game.  My personal thoughts – we really think we will land/flip Payton Wilson or something else came up with Artis’ recruiting.  It was always down to us and VT and I’m guessing that we moved on.

Remaining Targets:

4* OG Jovaughn Gwyn

3* DE Lancine Turay

3* DE Jason Mercier

3* OT Kahric Belle – Recently named us in his top 3 schools.  I think he is a backup to landing Gwyn.

3* LB Fa’najae Gotay

3* ATH/CB Tanner Ingle – Just decommitted from Tennessee

3* P Paxton Brooks – Possibly will decommit from Tennessee

4* DT Jordan Davis – Leaning toward committing to Georgia, his recruitment has been very quiet.

4* LB Payton Wilson

Update on Payton Wilson:

Visited for the Clemson game.  Recently had ACL surgery.  Is still “exploring his options.” Has an official set up for Notre Dame on 11/18 and UNC on December 8th.  He has told several analysts that he wants to have his decision made before his UNC official visit.  It might be worth watching whether or not he might flip from UNC to us or not.  Still up in the air over the next few weeks. Reportedly is going to be an early enrollee for whatever school he commits to.

New 2020 Commit:  ATH/CB Jaquez Robinson – Very athletic Florida kid.  Attended camp this summer.  Goes to the same HS as current Pack player Kendall Brown.  We will probably have to fight off a lot of offers for him in the next few years.

Early enrollee potential candidates from the 2018 class:

K Chris Dunn, RB Ricky Person, CB Kishawn Miller, CB De’Von Graves, DE Joe Babros, DE Davontae McCrae.

Babros and Miller will both be JUCO transfers, but will be able to play immediately.

Person and Dunn are too good and too valuable to not play immediately.

Looking at current commits by the numbers:

DE – 4 – Alim McNeill, Joe Babros (JUCO), Joseph Boletepeli, Devin Hayes

DT – 2 – Derrick Eason, Davontae McCrae,

LB – 1 – Calvin Hart Jr.

OL – 2 – Gabriel Gonzalez, Jaylynn Strickland

TE/H-Back – 1 – Daveon Robinson

RB – 2 – Ricky Person, Trent Pennix

QB – 1 – Devin Leary

ATH – 1 – De’Von Graves (Projects all over the field on offense and defense)

CB – 2 – Teshaun Smith, Kishawn Miller

S – 2 – Malik Dunlap, Tyler Williams

WR – 2 – Devin Carter, Josiah Provillon

K – 1 – Chris Dunn

Current Commits – 21

I think we will probably take 2-3 more.  Looking at the numbers and our available prospects, I think defensive secondary, linebacker, and O-Line get the nods for places for extra prospects to land.

Other Good News:

DE Joe Babros and CB Kishawn Miller are both rated in the top 10 at their positions in the JUCO ranks.

Keep An Eye On:

• Next week’s home game for new official visitors – Potentially UT decommits and others
• Early December/Late November for new commits – Several big time players are planning to commit somewhere in the next few weeks