The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1087622
48 ■ THE WOLFPACKER 2019 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE Stats: As a senior, he ran 124 times for 2,054 yards (16.6 yards per carry) and 26 touchdowns while eclips- ing 100 rushing yards in 10 of 11 contests … Also caught three passes for 28 yards and a score, returned six kickoffs for an average of 50.8 yards with one touch- down, and brought back two punts for a 51.0-yard average with two scores … Racked up 142 rushes for 1,877 yards (13.2-yard average) and 27 scores in 14 games as a junior … Also returned seven kickoffs for an average of 34.3 yards with one touchdown … As a sophomore, he posted 139 carries for 1,142 yards (8.2 yards a rush) and 18 touchdowns, caught six passes for 109 yards and three scores, and returned five kickoffs for an average of 26.0 yards. Honors/accomplishments: Selected to play in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas All-Star Game and was named North Carolina's Offensive MVP after rushing 24 times for 151 yards, including a 61-yard scoring run for the team's only touchdown … Concluded his career as Southern Nash's all-time leader in rushing yards with 5,073 and broke the school record for yards in a season during his senior campaign … Named first-team all-state by both the Associated Press and USA Today … Was named his conference's Offensive Player of the Year as a junior … Listed in the top 25 of the state by both The Fayetteville Observer (No. 23) and The Char- lotte Observer (No. 25) … Also ran track. Recruitment: Originally verbally committed to Duke in March … Opened up his recruitment in May and took an official visit to Purdue, plus unofficial trips to NC State, UNC and Virginia Tech … Picked NC State July 9 and enrolled early. Recruiter of record: Cornerbacks coach George Barlow Measurables: At the Nike Camp in Charlotte, checked in at 5-11, 183 pounds … Ran a laser-timed 4.81 seconds in the 40-yard dash and 4.63 seconds in the shuttle … Had a 29.9-inch vertical leap and 31.0-foot power ball throw … Compiled a Nike Football Rating of 64.80. Stats: Hauled in 27 passes for 451 yards and four scores plus rushed 40 times for 316 yards and six touchdowns as a senior … During his junior season, caught 38 passes for 736 yards and six touchdowns while running 32 times for 267 yards and four scores … Added 63 tackles, three interceptions and three passes broken up and re- turned a kick for a touchdown. Honors/accomplishments: Rated by The Fayette- ville Observer as the No. 27 prospect in North Carolina … Named to Charlotte-based WSOC's viewing area Big 22 for high school football in 2018 … Also wrestled and qualified for states as a freshman. Recruitment: Was offered by NC State in January while at a junior day … Also collected Power Five offers from Indiana, North Carolina, Syracuse and West Virginia … Picked NC State June 1 over UNC and enrolled early. Recruiter of record: Former tight ends/fullbacks coach and special teams coordinator Eddie Faulkner 2019 PROJECTION Knight is not as big as a typical college running back yet, but if he proves he can handle the physicality he has a chance to play quickly. His running style is well suited for NC State's zone blocking schemes given his ability to burst through small running lanes when they open up. 2019 PROJECTION Lesane has a chance to play soon because NC State may have an opening in the slot after the early departure of Jakobi Meyers to the NFL. ZONOVAN KNIGHT RUNNING BACK • 6-0, 190 Bailey, N.C. • Southern Nash High School Rankings Stars Nat. Pos. State ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ — 21 13 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 304 18 13 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 46 32 KEYON LESANE WIDE RECEIVER • 6-0, 185 Lumberton, N.C. • Butler High School Rankings Stars Nat. Pos. State ✪ ✪ ✪ — — 44 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 164 54 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 119 42 Scouting report: Explosive big-play threat with good speed … Has ability to turn the corner quickly and is also a candi- date to be a good kick returner … Will need to work on the passing game. Scouting report: Has an explosive acceleration that helps him reach top speed quickly … Is not a blazer, but his quick burst and ability to change directions swiftly offsets that … Ideally suited to play in the slot in college. " Quotable There are a lot of kids that are fast, but then on the field don't look quite as fast — but I think he's faster on the field than he is normally. He has true football speed. That's a gift. I don't know his speed on the field, but he doesn't get caught a lot. — Southern Nash head coach Brian Foster " Quotable His explosiveness on his film, that jumps off at you. There are so many plays where he is close and he just has this other gear about him. He hits that gear and there is nothing you can do about it — he's gone. — Butler head coach Brian Hales Lead Coaches On Recruits Cornerbacks coach George Barlow Cornerback Shyheim Battle Running back Jordan Houston Running back Zonovan Knight Former quarterbacks coach/offensive coordina - tor Eli Drinkwitz Quarterback Ty Evans Wide receiver Chris Toudle Former tight end/fullbacks coach/special teams coordinator Eddie Faulkner Defensive tackle C.J. Clark Defensive end Terrell Dawkins Offensive lineman Ikem Ekwonu Defensive back Jalen Frazier Wide receiver Keyon Lesane Long snapper Joe Shimko Running backs coach/co-offensive coordinator Des Kitchings Defensive end Savion Jackson Offensive lineman Zovon Lindsay Offensive lineman Timothy McKay Running back Delbert Mimms III Linebacker Drake Thomas Nickels coach Aaron Henry Safety Khalid Martin Linebackers coach/defensive coordinator Dave Huxtable Defensive tackle Joshua Harris Former offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford Linebacker Jaylon Scott Tight end Kam Walker Wide receivers coach/co-offensive coordinator George McDonald Safety Cecil Powell Former safeties coach/co-defensive coordinator Ted Roof Defensive back Jakeen Harris Offensive lineman Dylan McMahon