The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1481002
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 ■ 9 BY MATT CARTER N C State has added a pair of heavily recruited Charlotte natives to its 2023 recruiting class. On3 Consensus 3-star wideout Kevin Concepcion from Chambers High an- nounced his decision on Aug. 20, pick- ing the Wolfpack over fellow finalist North Carolina. He officially visited both programs in June and also had of- fers from Boston College, Duke, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Mary- land, Michigan State and Wake Forest, among others. An unofficial trip to Raleigh for the Alpha Wolf Showcase in July helped close the deal in NC State's favor. "We were out on the field, and I felt like I belonged there," Concepcion said. The 6-0, 170-pounder had 38 recep- tions for 586 yards and 10 touchdowns as a junior, while leading Chambers to a 4-A state title game appearance. He has been limited to four games this fall due to an injury and recorded 13 catches for 265 yards and a pair of touchdowns. "He just has the ability to change the game, change the momentum of the game," Chambers head coach Brandon Wiggins noted. "That's kind of what you need, especially in high school football, but it's definitely what you need in col- lege." The On3 Consensus has Concepcion rated as the No. 87 receiver nationally and the No. 20 player from North Caro- lina. On Oct. 1, NC State landed running back Kyron Jones from Charlotte Chris- tian. The 6-1, 193-pounder ran the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds and the shuttle in 4.29 seconds while registering a 10- foot-3 standing broad jump and a 35.3- inch vertical leap. Those measurables helped him land an offer from the Pack. Jones' athleticism is also evident in track and field, where he won a state title in an independent schools' meet record of 10.6 seconds in the 100-meter dash. Jones also took home the state cham- pionship in the 200 with a time of 21.6 seconds, a personal best. He took official visits to Connecti- cut and NC State in September, and he also was looking at offers from Duke and Iowa State. Then, after a torrid se- nior season start, Kentucky, Miami and Notre Dame joined the pursuit. However, at that point Jones had al- ready decided on NC State. "Every time I get on campus, espe- cially on my official and then even the unofficial the week before, it just felt like this was where I needed to be," Jones said. Through six games this fall, Jones had rushed 56 times for 739 yards (13.2 yards per carry) and 9 touchdowns. He's also caught 12 passes for 160 yards and 3 more TDs. Jones is rated by On3 as the No. 33 running back in the country and the No. 18 player in North Carolina. ■ T R A C K I N G THE PACK Charlotte Gridiron Duo Commits To NC State Kevin Concepcion, an August commit from Charlotte Chambers High, is rated as the No. 87 receiver nationally and the No. 20 player from North Carolina by On3. PHOTO COURTESY ON3.COM Kyron Jones, a 6-1, 193-pounder from Charlotte Christian, committed to the Wolfpack on Oct. 1. He is rated by On3 as the No. 33 running back in the nation. PHOTO COURTESY ON3.COM NC State's 2023 Football Commitments Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Rating* HOMETOWN SCHOOL Brandon Cisse CB 5-11 162 HHH Sumter, S.C. Lakewood Kevin Concepcion WR 6-0 170 HHH Charlotte, N.C. Chambers Tamarcus Cooley DB 6-1 185 HHH Rolesville, N.C. Rolesville Daemon Fagan S 6-3 175 HHHH Fort Lauderdale, Fla. American Heritage Kyron Jones RB 6-1 193 HHH Charlotte, N.C. Charlotte Christian 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 HHH Charlotte, N.C. West Charlotte Isaiah Shirley DL 6-4 235 HHH Boone, N.C. Watauga Kamen Smith OL 6-4 275 HHH Wilkesboro, N.C. Wilkes Central 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 Consensus as of Oct. 3