The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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12 ■ THE WOLFPACKER On Aug. 29, four-star defensive lineman Darian Roseboro of Lincolnton (N.C.) High broke NC State's heart when he chose Michigan over the Wolfpack during a pep rally at his high school. Six weeks later, on Oct. 11, Roseboro surprised NC State coaches on the sideline during pregame warm-ups for the Boston College game by announcing that he had changed his mind and would be playing for the Pack. The news came two weeks after the 6-4, 280-pound Roseboro made an official visit to Raleigh and then subsequently an- nounced a decommitment from Michigan. "I just enjoyed being around the fans, the players and the coaching staff," Roseboro told NCPreps.com. "The coaching staff was one of the biggest reasons I decided to flip and go to NC State. It was a place I felt more comfortable and could have a bigger impact. "Staying closer to home was a big decision for my family as well." Roseboro added that he had no regrets about how his recruit- ment played out, but he is relieved to have made a final decision. He will enroll early at NCSU and participate in the Wolfpack's spring practices. "I really enjoyed the recruiting process," he said. "It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I am happy that my recruitment is over because I can focus on my team and not worry about where I am going and making a last-minute decision." According to Rivals.com, Roseboro is the top-ranked recruit in the state of North Carolina's senior class. He would be the first top-rated in-state prospect to sign with NCSU since running back Toney Baker of Jamestown Ragsdale High in 2005. Roseboro is also listed by Rivals.com as the No. 6 defensive tackle and No. 42 overall player nationally. That makes him the highest-ranked player to pick the Pack since five-star offensive tackle Rob Crisp, who was rated No. 13 in the 2010 class. Lincolnton High head coach Bobby Cloninger said that Rose- boro is certainly one of the top prep performers he has seen. "I've been in Lincolnton a long time, and he's top of the line," Cloninger said. "He's one of the best players we've ever had, and we've had some great ones here. He's up in that elite group, that's for sure. "NC State is getting a big, strong athlete. I feel like he's prob- ably ready to play at the next level. I've seen some defensive ends who were smallish, but if you look at his size, I feel if he gets there early like he's planning on and fits in and learns the system, he can play early." Where Roseboro will play down the road is debatable. NC State is recruiting him for defensive end, but Rivals.com ana- lysts believe he will be a defensive tackle, which is why he was vaulted to No. 1 in the state rankings. "He is a special talent because he originally was a defensive end," said Rivals.com recruiting analyst Adam Friedman, who has North Carolina as part of his coverage territory. "We had him classified as a strongside defensive end, and we originally thought he was someone that would be in the 260-pound range. He has since added a lot of weight, but it has not affected his speed off the line. "To be at 280 pounds but to still have the speed of a defensive end, that's a killer combo for a defensive tackle." "Once we realized Roseboro projected inside at the next The State's Top Senior Football Recruit Picks The Wolfpack TRACKING THE PACK Lincolnton (N.C.) High standout Darian Roseboro, the No. 6 defensive tackle and the No. 42 overall player in the class of 2015, according to Rivals.com, flipped his commitment from Michigan to NC State. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN ■ Top 10 In-State Recruits To Sign With NCSU Since 2002 State National Year Pos. Name Hometown/High School Rank Rank 2014 DE Kentavius Street Greenville/Rose 2 43 2014 S Germaine Pratt High Point/Central 9 213 2010 OT Rob Crisp Raleigh/Athens Drive 2 13 2010 RB Tony Creecy Durham/Southern 5 188 2010 DB David Amerson Greensboro/Dudley 6 206 2008 LB Terrell Manning Laurinburg/Scotland 3 138 2008 OT R.J. Mattes Concord/Robinson 4 195 2008 RB Brandon Barnes Bunn/Bunn 6 — 2005 RB Toney Baker Jamestown/Ragsdale 1 39 2005 OL Curtis Crouch Fayetteville/E.E. Smith 4 63