The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1502339
10 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BY ETHAN MCDOWELL S outh Carolina quarterback Will Wil- son knew he was ready to shut down his recruitment when he spoke with Dave Doeren on June 17. The 2025 pros- pect and his father met with NC State's head coach during an unofficial visit, and Wilson left campus that day ready to make a decision. On June 24, he announced his choice: He intends to play for the Wolfpack. After NC State became the first Divi- sion I program to offer him a scholarship in August 2022, Wilson quickly emerged as a top priority for Doeren and his staff. The 6-foot-1, 220-pound prospect en- joyed an outstanding sophomore season at Columbia (S.C.) Richland Northeast High, where he plays for his father, head coach Walter Wilson. The younger Wil- son threw for 1,797 yards and added 705 yards rushing last fall. During their conversation in June, Do- eren emphasized that Wilson had been high on NC State's board from the mo- ment the coaches extended their offer. Doeren pitched consistency, and that message resonated with Wilson. "It came to a point [where I thought], what was I waiting on?" Wilson said. "Nothing about the schools was going to change, and that's what he said. Nothing about them was going to change. "He was just straightforward. He's a great guy, and I want to play for him." Wilson recently received a three-star rating from On3 and in the On3 Industry Ranking, which is a weighted average of the top four recruiting sites. He had re- ceived offers from South Carolina, Penn State, TCU, Duke and Arkansas, among others. Wilson's commitment is the first for NC State in the 2025 class, and it capped a busy June. The Pack spent much of the month building its 2024 class, adding corner- back Jivan Baly of Norcross, Ga.; athlete Ronnie Royal III of Alexandria, Ala.; run- ning back Isiah Jones of Rolesville, N.C.; defensive lineman Chase Bond of Mas- sillon, Ohio; and linebacker Zane Wil- liams of Wake Forest, N.C. Baly, Royal and Williams have received three-star grades from On3, while Jones and Bond are not yet rated. Baly joined the class on June 25 at the end of an official visit weekend. The 6-0, 170-pound prospect from Meadowcreek High had previously taken an official visit to Mississippi State and was also being pursued by Florida State, Miami, South Carolina and others, but he felt he fit in better with the Pack. "Life in Raleigh, I really enjoy it," he said. "It's like a second home to me." Baly is the No. 91 cornerback nation- ally, No. 916 prospect overall and No. 107 T R A C K I N G THE THE PACK PACK Pack Makes Progress On 2024, '25 Recruiting Classes 2024 Commitments Name Pos Ht Wt Rating* Home School Cedrick Bailey Jr. QB 6-6 180 HHH Hollywood, Fla. Chaminade-Madonna Jivan Baly CB 6-0 170 HHH Norcross, Ga. Meadowcreek Brody Barnhardt S 5-11 170 HHH Charlotte Providence Day Chase Bond DL 6-4 255 — Massillon, Ohio Washington Asaad Brown CB 6-0 175 HHH Portsmouth, Va. Mt. Zion Prep Isiah Jones RB 5-10 190 — Rolesville, N.C. Rolesville Cannon Lewis LB 6-1 207 HHH Huntington, W.Va. Cabell Midland Ronnie Royal III Ath. 5-11 175 HHH Alexandria, Ala. Gulf Shores School Duke Scott RB 5-10 190 HHH Stockbridge, Ga. Stockbridge Zane Williams LB 5-11 210 HHH Wake Forest, N.C. Wake Forest 2025 Commitment Will Wilson QB 6-1 220 HHH Columbia, S.C. Richland Northeast * On3 rating as of June 27 Will Wilson, a quarterback from Columbia (S.C.) Richland Northeast, became the first player to join NC State's 2025 class. He chose the Wolfpack over South Carolina, Penn State, TCU and others. Wilson is rated the No. 33 quarterback nationally in the On3 Industry Ranking. PHOTO COURTESY WILL WILSON VIA TWITTER