The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1527657
TRACKING THE PACK 14 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BY ETHAN MCDOWELL Jordan Young is in the middle of his fourth season as a do-it-all superstar for Monroe (N.C.) High. The four-star wide receiver and safety plays nearly every snap of every game, and he picked off 2 passes and scored a long touchdown against rival Forest Hills on Oct. 4. In just a few months, he will enroll early at the college of his choice. For now, the coveted defensive back's recruitment is down to NC State, Clemson, Florida State and Michigan. Alabama also remains in the mix. Young originally planned on announc- ing his choice on Oct. 12, his birthday, but a scheduling conflict forced a delay. The 6-foot, 180-pound senior settled on Nov. 2 because it was the earliest date on which his whole family could attend the com- mitment ceremony. NC State was his first offer. Listed in the On3 Industry Ranking as the No. 121 over- all prospect and No. 11 safety nationally, as well as the No. 4 player in North Car- olina, Young has always thought highly of the Wolfpack. As of early October, he had already watched NC State play three games this year. "The new quarterback [freshman CJ Bailey] is doing pretty good and has a bright future," Young said. "The defense is making plays. A lot of turnovers turn into touchdowns. That's big, because that's what I want to do. The chance to play both sides is a big deal for me." Through Monroe's first four games, Young had totaled 11 tackles on defense while making 6 catches for 132 yards and 2 touchdowns on offense. Young watched the Pack's games against Clemson, Tennessee and Louisi- ana Tech. He sees an opportunity to make an impact quickly. "There are a lot of spots where I could come in and play early and help get them to where they need to be," he said. "They said there would be a chance for me to play early, and I see that on both sides of the ball." The Pack has been busy elsewhere try- ing to add to its 2025 class. On Sept. 28, it hosted three-star linebacker Josh Smith of Irmo (S.C.) Dutch Fork. Smith had pre- viously been committed to Coastal Caro- lina but reopened his recruitment when he picked up offers from NC State, South Carolina and Ole Miss. The 6-3, 218-pound prospect was im- pressed with what he saw during his offi- cial visit. South Carolina and Ole Miss are also pursuing Smith, who hopes to make his final decision by mid-November. He recently debuted in On3's rankings as the No. 43 linebacker in the country and the No. 11 prospect in South Carolina. Offensive lineman Takhyian Whitset of Antioch High in Nashville is another po- tential flip. According to On3's scouts, the 6-5, 265-pound Whitset is the nation's No. 238 overall recruit and No. 20 offen- sive tackle, as well as the No. 8 player in Tennessee. He's received a four-star rat- ing from On3 and has a three-star grade in the Industry Ranking. While he's been committed to Purdue since April, he's definitely interested in the Pack coming off an official visit to Raleigh on Oct. 5. With the end of the 2025 recruiting cy- cle approaching, the staff is focused not just on adding to its class but also keep- ing previously committed players from straying. One of those players — three-star re- ceiver Jamar Browder of Lake Worth, Fla. — visited Michigan unofficially during his bye week, shortly after picking up an offer from the Wolverines. While Browder said afterward that "everything with NC State remains solid," he is set to return to Ann Arbor on Nov. 2 when the Wolverines welcome Oregon. Another prospect has already left the class. Three-star nose tackle Makhi Wil- liams-Lee announced on Sept. 24 that he was no longer pledged to the Pack. He committed to Clemson on Oct. 2. As of Oct. 5, NC State had 16 commit- ted players in its 2025 class. The group was ranked No. 50 nationally and No. 12 in the ACC. ■ Wolfpack Looks To Bolster Class In Final Months Of 2025 Cycle Two-way star Jordan Young of Monroe (N.C.) High is considering Clemson, Florida State and Michigan in addition to NC State. He's set to announce his decision on Nov. 2 PHOTO COURTESY JORDAN YOUNG 2025 Commitments Name Pos Ht Wt Rating* Home School Omarian Abraham DL 6-1 285 HHH Fort Lauderdale, Fla. American Heritage Jerel Bolder WR 5-11 200 HHHH Marshville, N.C. Forest Hills RJ Boyd RB 6-0 210 HHH Waycross, Ga. Ware County Jamar Browder WR 6-4 205 HHH Lake Worth, Fla. Santaluces Community Arrion Concepcion WR 5-10 170 HHH Charlotte, N.C. Julius L. Chambers Colby Cronk DE 6-3 245 HHH Palm Coast, Fla. Flagler Michael Gibbs IOL 6-3 280 HHH Wilmington, N.C. Hoggard Caden Gordon CB 6-1 170 HHH Lake Worth, Fla. Santaluces Community Gerritt Kemp Ath. 6-2 180 HHH Dacula, Ga. Hebron Christian Academy Kage Payne IOL 6-4 280 HHH Kings Mills, Ohio Kings Kentrell Rinehart RB 6-2 200 HHH Columbus, Ohio Westland Gus Ritchey TE 6-3 225 HHH Pittsboro, N.C. Northwood Isaac Sowells Jr. IOL 6-1 290 HHH Louisville, Ky. Louisville Male Cam Strong CB 6-1 170 HHH Anderson, S.C. T.L. Hanna Tristan Teasdell S 6-1 180 HHH Leesburg, Va. Tuscarora Will Wilson QB 6-1 220 HHH Columbia, S.C. Richland Northeast 2026 Commitment Name Pos Ht Wt Rating* Home School Jacob Smith QB 6-3 200 HHH Pfafftown, N.C. Reagan * On3 ratings as of Oct. 5