The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1534227
10 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BY NOAH FLEISCHMAN N C State was working ahead on the tra- ditional football signing day, landing a 2026 prospect on Feb. 5 in linebacker Jordan Moreta of Paramus (N.J.) Catholic. The 6-foot, 215-pound Moreta picked up an offer on Jan. 23 and committed shortly after making his first trip to Ra- leigh. He also held offers from Duke and Liberty. Moreta raved about his NC State visit after returning home to New Jersey. He liked what the program had to offer and was impressed with the facilities, but it was the relationships with staff members that stuck out to him the most. No mat- ter whom Moreta talked to, he felt he was having an authentic conversation. That was especially true of defensive coordi- nator D.J. Eliot, who doubles as the Wolf- pack's linebackers coach. "He's a genuine person, which I love," Moreta said. "When you go to other schools, the coaches don't feel as genuine. It could feel like they're saying the same thing over and over to other recruits. … He's a great person. It's been great meet- ing with Coach Eliot and building a rela- tionship with him." Eliot's coaching résumé includes a sea- son on the Philadelphia Eagles' defensive staff, as well as college stints in the ACC, SEC, Pac-12 and Big 12. That experience made an impression on Moreta. "His background, him coming from the Philadelphia Eagles, was a big part for me," Moreta said. "He was at the level I want to be at, and he can help me with that." Unranked by On3 as of early April, Moreta logged 49 total tackles, including 4 for loss, an interception and 2 passes defended in 10 games during his junior season. It was a big step up from his soph- omore campaign when he finished with 6 total tackles. Moreta's early-February commitment was part of a big recruiting push by the Wolfpack that continued into the spring. The Pack welcomed several top recruits to campus during spring practice, in- cluding three-star quarterback Femi Ba- balola of Brentwood (Tenn.) Ravenwood. Listed by On3 as the No. 29 prospect in his home state, Babalola picked up an of- fer from the Pack on Jan. 27 and will take an official visit to Raleigh the weekend of June 6-8. NC State already has a commitment from a quarterback in Jacob Smith of Pfafftown, N.C., but would like to add a second signal-caller to the class. Babalola is the No. 1 option on the staff's board. In two seasons at Ravenwood, Baba- lola has thrown for 2,798 yards with 20 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. The 6-3, 205-pound prospect also holds offers from Appalachian State, Boston College, East Carolina, James Madison, Tulane and Wake Forest, among others. Babalola recently was named the Under Armour Nashville Camp MVP at quar- T R A C K I N G THE THE PACK PACK 2026 Football Recruiting Class Continues To Take Shape Defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot (left) made a strong impression on linebacker Jordan Moreta during the three-star prospect's visit to campus. Moreta committed to the Wolfpack on Feb. 5. PHOTO COURTESY JORDAN MORETA