The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/406183
126 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BY MATT CARTER N C State is in the homestretch of its 2015 recruiting class. The Pack had 14 verbal commitments entering the end of October, with room for at least four more scholarships to give out to seniors. The focal points for the final four slots in the class are running back, offensive tackle, defensive tackle and cornerback Mike Hughes. Hughes is an option quarterback for New Bern (N.C.) High, who rushed for 1,016 yards and 18 touchdowns during the Bears' 8-0 start this year. As a junior, Hughes completed 133 of 236 passes for 2,035 yards with 15 touchdowns and eight picks, and ran 173 times for 1,244 yards and 27 scores. Playing defensive back as a sophomore, Hughes posted 43 tackles, five interceptions and 11 passes broken up. He is considered an excellent athlete. At the Shrine Bowl Combine held at Washing- ton (N.C.) High in June, Hughes measured 5-10, 179 pounds and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.34 seconds. He also had a 4.27-second shuttle time, recorded a 10-foot, three-inch standing broad jump and did an impressive 25 reps at 185 pounds on the bench press. Rivals.com rates Hughes as a three-star prospect, the No. 22 senior in the state of North Carolina and the No. 50 cornerback nationally in 2015. He has been selected to play in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas All-Star Game Dec. 20 in Spartanburg, S.C. The Pack hosted Hughes on an official visit the weekend of Oct. 11. He also un- officially visited Florida in the month of October, and he is expected to take official visits to UNC, South Carolina and Ohio State before settling on a decision. If Hughes were to decide to attend col- lege elsewhere, the Pack is not expected to pursue another cornerback. Here is a breakdown of the top players at the other positions that will need to be filled in the 2015 class. Running Back The tailback NCSU has been most as- sociated with is Nyheim Hines of Garner (N.C.) High. Hines officially visited the Pack the same weekend Hughes was in town, and NC State is in Hines' final seven along with Duke, Florida, Georgia, Ohio State, Wake Forest and West Virginia. "It was awesome, and I had a ball," Hines said. "I had a really great time. We had dinner at [NCSU] Coach [Dave] Do- eren's, and I had a host that I really liked and could relate to a lot. "They have always rolled out the red carpet for me since I've been coming over. The official wasn't much different. I just had more time to spend around the players and team." The 5-8, 180-pound Hines is a speed- ster who burst onto the scene last season, rushing 299 times for 3,137 yards and 49 touchdowns while catching 29 passes for 599 yards and nine scores. He also finished third in the 4A state championship in the 100-meter dash with a time of 10.75 sec- onds and fifth in the New Balance Nation- als at 10.52 seconds. In his first nine games this year, Hines, who carries a 3.9 grade-point average in the classroom, rushed for 1,627 yards and scored 33 touchdowns, 29 of them on the ground. Hines is rated as a four-star talent, the No. 9 all-purpose back nationally and the No. 10 senior in the state by Rivals.com. ■ FOOTBALL RECRUITING The Pack Is Focusing On A Few Targets For Final Slots In Class The Wolfpack is recruiting Mike Hughes — an option quarterback from New Bern, N.C., with 4.34 speed in the 40-yard dash — as a cornerback. PHOTO BY RYAN TICE Standout Garner, N.C., running back Nyheim Hines, the No. 9 all-purpose back nationally accord- ing to Rivals.com, officially visited NC State the weekend of Oct. 11. PHOTO BY RYAN RICE