The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/223560
■ FOOTBALL recruiting Hitting The Homestretch By Matt Carter C State has 24 commitments entering the offseason, a large class already, but Dave Doeren's staff continues to be aggressive on the recruiting trail. It appears that the Pack is done at quarterback, tight end, kicker and possibly linebacker. However, they are targeting players at each other position. Here's a rundown of how the Wolfpack recruiting board seems to shape up. N Running Back Four-star prospect Derrell Scott of Havelock (N.C.) High has officially visited Tennessee (Oct. 4), NC State (Nov. 1) and South Carolina (Nov. 15). Those are believed to be Scott's top three. Rivals.com ranks the 5-10, 180-pounder as the No. 190 overall player in the country and No. 5 prospect in the state. Scott rushed 193 times for 1,848 yards and 22 touchdowns while leading Havelock to the 3-A state semifinals. Havelock was looking to win its third straight title. Scott has been selected for the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas All-Star Game Dec. 21 in Spartanburg, S.C., and the Semper Fidelis All-American Game Jan. 5 in Carson, Calif. Another in-state running back that seems to be rising up NC State's board is Donte Thomas-Williams, a powerful 6-0, 220-pounder at Durham (N.C.) Hillside High. Thomas-Williams is also a four-star prospect according to Rivals.com and rated as the No. 10 player in the state. Thomas-Williams has long been believed to be a lock to go out of state for college with West Virginia and Florida State his two leaders, but he surprised observers when he lined up an official visit to NC State for Dec. 6. Thomas-Williams' teammate, defensive back Kalen McCain, is set to enroll early at NC State. Thomas-Williams rushed 220 times for 1,798 yards and 21 touchdowns as a senior. Wide Receiver The Pack has a solid group of three wide receivers already lined up in its 2014 class, but when prospects like Trevion Thompson and Johnnie Dixon are giving you a look, you find room for them if needed. Thompson is a four-star recruit and teammate of Thomas-Williams and McCain at Hillside High in Durham, N.C. Rivals.com ranks the 6-2, 185-pounder as Durham (N.C.) Hillside High four-star wide receiver Trevion Thompson, who is ranked as the No. 206 overall player in the country by Rivals.com, planned to officially visit NC State Dec. 6. photo courtesy rivals.com the No. 206 overall player in the country and No. 8 prospect from the state. He has officially visited Florida State Nov. 22 and decided to visit NCSU with Thomas-Williams Dec. 6. Clemson is also believed to be a strong contender for Thompson. The Hillside standout has been selected to both the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas All-Star Game and Semper Fidelis AllAmerican Game. Dixon, from West Palm Beach (Fla.) Dwyer High, was to announce his choice Dec. 8. He took official visits to NCSU (Sept. 6), Arkansas (Sept. 13), Ohio State (Sept. 27) and Alabama (Nov. 8). Miami was the other primary contender and in some eyes the favorite. Rivals.com lists Dixon as the No. 109 overall player in the country and No. 13 prospect from Florida. Dixon was selected to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl Jan. 4 in San Antonio. He will enroll early at the college of his choice. The pull for NCSU has been former Dwyer quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who is redshirting this season at NC State after transferring in from Florida. leader for Knox, who is rated as a three-star prospect by Rivals.com. A week after Knox was in town, Brock Ruble made an official visit to NCSU. The 6-8, 320-pounder from Hyattsville (Md.) DeMatha Catholic has narrowed his choices to Florida State, Maryland and NCSU. He had already officially visited his other two finalists. "I would have to say the kind of family feel I got [at NCSU] really stands out," Offensive Line The focus has been on adding at least one if not two offensive tackles to the class. NC State hosted one-time Florida commitment Ben Knox from Deland (Fla.) High on an official visit Nov. 22. The 6-6, 260-pounder opened up his recruitment in September. He is scheduled to visit Auburn Dec. 13 and South Florida Jan. 31. Both Ole Miss and Louisville will get January visits. Louisville is considered to be the Ben Knox, a 6-6, 260-pound offensive tackle from Deland (Fla.) High, was verbally committed to Florida until September. He officially visited NC State Nov. 22. photo courtesy rivals.com 62 ■ the wolfpacker 62-65.FB Recruiting.indd 62 12/5/13 2:53 PM