The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1534227
MAY/JUNE 2025 ■ 11 TRACKING THE PACK terback after a standout showing. On3's Charles Power described him as "a strap- ping, physically developed passer." Another quarterback who has NC State's full attention is four-star 2027 prospect Gunner Rivers of Fairhope (Ala.) St. Michael Catholic. Rivers, the son of Wolfpack legend Philip Rivers, is On3's No. 16 quarterback and No. 195 overall prospect in the class. He threw for 3,947 yards, with 36 touchdowns and 6 inter- ceptions as a sophomore last fall. In addition to NC State, the 6-2, 175-pound Rivers holds early offers from Auburn, South Carolina, Miami and Bos- ton College. "He's pretty much who he is going to be," Philip Rivers told AL.com earlier this year. "Gunner is a pocket passer who runs well enough. He will end up being 6-3 or 6-4 and about 220 pounds. He's real humble about it all. He doesn't love all the attention. Recruiting is a differ- ent world than what I went through 25 years ago." On the defensive side of the ball, NC State hosted a priority recruit in the 2026 class when three-star edge rusher Jace McCallum of Harrisburg (N.C.) Hickory Ridge stopped in Raleigh on March 29. McCallum had seen the facilities and met some staff members previously, but as an offered recruit he received more at- tention, and there was a different vibe to this visit. "You can feel the love throughout the coaching staff," McCallum said. "It's a different feeling. It's something special. … It was just nice." McCallum, who is listed at 6-4, 220 pounds, had his first sit-down meet- ings with defensive line coaches Charley Wiles and Elisha Shaw. He broke down film with Shaw, while Wiles, who has been one of his lead recruiters, was able to continue strengthening his bond with McCallum. "I love the enthusiasm they coach with," McCallum said. "You can definitely tell they care about each player. It's not like they just push some kids to the side like what you see with other coaching staffs. They really care for each kid. Just watching that, it was great to see." Rated by On3 as the nation's No. 38 edge rusher and No. 17 player in North Carolina, McCallum has an official visit set with the Pack for June 20-22. He doesn't have a clear leader at this point, but he noted that NC State, Duke, Geor- gia Tech, Virginia and Virginia Tech have all stood out. He has official visits set to each of those programs, while South Florida continues to ramp up its com- munication and could emerge as a con- tender. Two other North Carolina defenders in the 2026 class are eyeing the Wolfpack. Zavion Griffin-Haynes is a 6-6, 220-pound edge rusher from nearby Rolesville High. He has received a three- star grade from On3 but is a four-star prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking, which incorporates the grades from all four major recruiting websites. He's listed as the No. 251 overall prospect and No. 30 edge rusher nationally in the In- dustry Ranking. It appears the Pack will be a factor in Griffin-Haynes' recruitment until the end. He recently canceled an official visit to Notre Dame while reaffirming that he will take his official to NC State before making a decision later this summer. The Pack is also in contention for linebacker Elijah Littlejohn of West Mecklenburg High in Charlotte. He's a four-star prospect in the Industry Ranking, as well as the No. 278 overall player and No. 20 linebacker in the 2026 cycle. The 6-3, 215-pound Littlejohn visited NC State in early April, and his conver- sations with Eliot appear to have helped boost the Pack's standing. At this point, NC State is in Little- john's top five. He expects to commit before his senior season begins. ■ 2026 Commitments Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Rating* Home School Jordan Moreta LB 6-0 215 — Paramus, N.J. Paramus Catholic Brady Sakowitz OT 6-7 285 HHH Richmond, Va. Trinity Episcopal Koby Sarkodie S 6-2 200 HHH Baltimore Milford Mill Academy Jacob Smith QB 6-3 200 HHH Pfafftown, N.C. Reagan * On3 rating as of April 6 Three-star edge rusher Jace McCallum met with defensive line coach Charley Wiles (right) during his recent visit to NC State. "I love the enthusiasm they coach with," McCallum said. PHOTO COURTESY JACE MCCALLUM