The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1190316
JANUARY 2020 ■ 83 BY MATT CARTER N C State exited the summer figuring much of its work on the 2020 class was finished, and it could begin laying the foundation for the 2021 board. However, the Wolfpack have reshuffled the class after suffering some decommit- ments, adding four new additions since Oct. 20 with perhaps another five more to come. The one constant is beginning the recruiting process with a deep, talented in- state group of juniors. Here are five objectives for NC State this winter for both completing its 2020 signing class and pursuing early targets for the 2021 cycle: Ink Most Of Its Commitments During The December Signing Period As of Dec. 3, NC State had 17 verbal commitments in the 2020 class and could take up to five more. The number has been in flux for most of the fall because of the status of a pair of players that were not ex- pected to be back for the Wolfpack. Senior cornerback Nick McCloud red- shirted because he only played two games due to an injury he suffered in the opener, and fifth-year senior offensive tackle Ty- rone Riley is applying for a sixth year of eligibility. Riley missed the season after breaking his foot in one of the first practices of fall camp. It is the second campaign that he has missed with an injury, which is why NC State was confident enough in its applica- tion for a sixth year that Riley did not walk with his classmates on Senior Day against North Carolina Nov. 30. Most commits will sign Dec. 18, and some new targets could join them. The Wolfpack apparently wants a third kicker on scholarship, offering Ian Wil- liams from Weddington High in Matthews, N.C. The 6-3, 180-pounder has a couple of mid-major offers (Army and Charlotte). Kohl's Kicking ranks Williams as a five- star talent and the No. 6 kicker nationally in the 2020 class. Another offensive lineman is also de- sired, with Woodbridge (Va.) High four- star R.J. Adams and Matthews (N.C.) But- ler High three-star Anthony Carter being the prime targets. Adams (6-3, 320 pounds) is a former Penn State pledge that is ranked as the No. 4 player in Virginia and the No. 12 offen- sive guard in the country by Rivals.com. He is expected to choose between NC State and Kentucky Dec. 18. Carter (6-4, 300 pounds) has led a low- key recruitment, but his only known visit in the fall was for the NC State-Clemson game at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh Nov. 16. Rivals.com rates Carter as the No. 26 senior in North Carolina. Identify Prospects For The February Signing Date NC State is also potentially targeting a running back, with J.J. Davis from Blue- field (W.Va.) High being a prime prospect. Davis (6-2, 200 pounds) is a one-time To- ledo verbal commitment, but the three-star product that is rated by Rivals.com as the No. 3 player in his home state opened up his recruitment in November. NC State, West Virginia and Temple are three schools that have began the chase. Davis, though, is not expected to sign until February, and in that time it is pos- sible that other running backs could emerge on the Wolfpack's radar. The bigger question is what will NC State add on defense. It is still seeking help on the defensive line and in the secondary. The line targets, in particular, may have to wait until the February signing date to sort out. The only known target on the front was ■ FOOTBALL RECRUITING Winter Objectives Woodbridge (Va.) High four-star offensive guard R.J. Adams, formerly a Penn State commitment, visited NC State for its season finale against UNC. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN