The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1472609
TRACKING THE PACK JULY/AUGUST 2022 ■ 9 Rivers is one of three offensive tackles to commit to NC State through June. Charlie Symonds, a towering 6-7, 265-pound lineman for Middletown (Conn.) The Taft School, announced he would be joining the Wolfpack just a few days after his official visit to Raleigh. A total of 12 Power Five programs, in- cluding Boston College and Stanford, extended offers to Symonds. He is the No. 4 recruit in Connecticut per On3 and the son of former NC State kicker Toby Symonds. Less than a week after Symonds com- mitted, the Wolfpack received more good news from Alpharetta (Ga.) High's Obadiah Obasuyi. The 6-6, 290-pound tackle was an under-the-radar three- star prospect, who is rated as the No. 102 player in Georgia by the On3 Con- sensus. Georgia Tech has shown sig- nificant interest, but he committed to NC State the night after his official visit. "When I am doing these visits, I am thinking, 'Is this the place I want to go?'" Obasuyi said. "Every single place I went on the NC State visit was perfect to my standards. "When I was trying to find out if there was anything wrong with this place, I couldn't." Three-star cornerback Brandon Cisse continued NC State's positive momen- tum when he committed on June 14, just two days after Obasuyi. Cisse was one of the first prospects to receive an offer from NC State during this year's camp season following a 4.45 40-yard-dash and an impressive day in one-on-one competition. After quickly returning to campus for a visit with his parents, the Lakewood (S.C.) High School athlete committed to the Wolfpack. "As soon as I got to the office at the stadium, I let Coach [Brian] Mitchell know this is the place I need to be," Cisse said. Isaiah Shirley continued the string of commitments one week later af- ter wrapping up his official visit the weekend prior. The three-star defen- sive lineman from Boone, N.C., who is ranked as the No. 19 player in the state by On 3, has already become one of the Wolfpack's most active recruiters on social media. He officially visited Duke and Virginia Tech before making the trip to Raleigh and pledged shortly after. Shirley in- formed the staff of his decision on Fa- ther's Day. "Everything they do, you can tell it's different, hard, blue-collar work, and that's what I like," Shirley said af- ter making his announcement. "That's what I come from." Zack Myers, who plays at the Christ School in Arden, N.C., rounds out the group of eight commits and is the No. 16 player in the state according to the On3 Consensus. The three-star safety selected the Wolfpack from a final four of NC State, Tennessee, South Carolina and Virginia Tech. He also committed less than a week after his official visit. "It was just a family feel," Myers said following his commitment. "What they say is what you're going to get." ■ Defensive lineman Isaiah Shirley is rated the No. 19 prospect in North Carolina by On3. After taking official visits to NC State, Duke and Virginia Tech, he committed to the Wolfpack June 21. PHOTO BY MATT CARTER NC State's 2023 Football Commitments Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Rating* HOMETOWN SCHOOL Brandon Cisse CB 5-11 162 HHH Sumter, S.C. Lakewood Zack Myers S 6-1 185 HHH Arden, N.C. Christ School Obadiah Obasuyi OT 6-6 290 HHH Rabun Gap, Ga. Alpharetta Darion Rivers OT 6-6 255 HHHH Charlotte, N.C. West Charlotte Isaiah Shirley DL 6-4 235 HHH Boone, N.C. Watauga Charlie Symonds OT 6-7 265 HHH South Kent, Conn. The Taft School Lex Thomas QB 5-11 176 HHH Wake Forest, N.C. Heritage Javonte Vereen TE 6-3 210 HHHH Havelock, N.C. Havelock * per On3 database, as of June 30