The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1510285
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 ■ 27 "Ever since I first saw him practice, I knew this guy was going to be something special in the offense," Pennix said. His hard work continued through fall camp, when he earned his starting spot, and into the season. Morris said he throws with the first-year pass catcher after practice to continue building their chemistry. Concepcion quickly praised his team- mates when breaking down his success through seven games. A former three-star prospect from Charlotte, he committed to NC State last year over offers from North Carolina, Florida State, Michigan State and others and immediately meshed with his Wolfpack teammates. "They've been very helpful," Concep- cion said. "They took me in with open arms. It just feels like a brotherhood here." Concepcion was leading the team with 61 targets through seven games. The next-closest Wolfpack receiver was se- nior Keyon Lesane with 29 targets. "KC is playing fast, he's playing well, he's hard after the catch for people as well," head coach Dave Doeren said ear- lier this fall. Of Concepcion's 410 total receiv- ing yards, more than half — 248 — had come after the catch. He had forced 11 missed tackles heading into the Pack's game against Clemson on Oct. 28, a total that was five more than any other Pack receiver. "These guys can't tackle him," Pennix said. "They can't catch him." Throughout the season, his teammates have complimented Concepcion's poise on the collegiate stage. He was unfazed even after dropping a pass that turned into a crucial interception against Notre Dame, rebounding to set career highs in receptions and yards in each of the next two games. The receiver steps up when the lights are brightest. "It's just the intensity of the game," he said. "It just makes me go." Ready For Primetime Concepcion emerged onto the national stage during a Friday night primetime showdown against Virginia on Sept. 22. He scored the first 2 touchdowns of his Wolfpack career that night, finishing the 24-21 win with 116 receiving yards. On his second score, he caught a deep pass from graduate student quarterback Brennan Armstrong and wove his way through the UVA defenders, showing off some breakaway speed on his way to the end zone. "This doesn't scare him," Armstrong said after the game. "He doesn't hesitate, he likes this stuff. He doesn't care about the lights, he enjoys it. Trust me, KC en- joys the lights, but it doesn't affect him." After the game, Concepcion described the emotions he felt scoring for the first time in his career. "It is definitely amazing," he said. "I can't even put words on it, but best be- lieve that ball is going to my mom." On3 honored that performance with its national true freshman of the week award. In the Wolfpack's next game, Louis- ville held Concepcion to a season-low 1 catch for 7 yards. A few days later, Doeren said on his weekly radio show that the receiver was open on 13 occasions against the Cardinals. Determined to get him more touches, the Wolfpack put him in motion through- out the win over Marshall, hoping to get him the ball using pop passes. The strat- egy worked. Concepcion surpassed the century mark yet again, finishing with 8 catches for 102 yards and 2 more scores. "That was just the game plan, just to try and get the ball in my hands as many ways as possible," he said. Concepcion is clearly the focal point of the Wolfpack offense, shining in every opportunity from deep passes over the middle to handoffs out of the backfield. He is the first true freshman wide re- ceiver to start a game for the Pack since Kelvin Harmon in 2016 and the first to record multiple 100-yard games during one season in program history. "It feels amazing," Concepcion said after his game against the Thundering Herd. "It's all God. I go out there, I play for my family, I play for my brothers." ■ " These guys can't tackle him. They can't catch him. " Tight end Trent Pennix on Concepcion Concepcion had a big day in the Pack's 48-41 victory over Marshall, finishing the game with 8 catches for 102 yards and 2 touchdowns. PHOTO BY JED GAMMON/NC STATE ATHLETICS