The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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30 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BY RYAN TICE H ead coach Dave Doeren is having more success recruiting North Car- olina than any of his predecessors. Building a border around the state has been the main theme for back-to-back classes ranked among the nation's top 35 by Rivals.com, a first for NCSU since 2002-03. Traditionally, North Carolina is a hotbed for out-of-state powerhouses to come in and pillage the best recruits. This year, the Wolf- pack signed more players ranked among the state's top 10 than ever before with four. Running back Nyheim Hines was ranked third by Rivals, defensive lineman Darian Roseboro fourth, offensive tackle Emanuel McGirt seventh and running back Johnny Frasier eighth — and all were listed among the nation's top 250 prospects. The Pack also inked the state's No. 11 player in four-star Reggie Gallaspy, who was the most productive rusher in the state's loaded group of tailbacks. Only one other school in the country, USC — who finished with the best class in the land — signed a trio of four-star running backs. NC State even went toe-to-toe with two of the four teams who made the inaugural Col- lege Football Playoff, Alabama and Florida State, to win the services of Frasier. Recruiting has certainly changed under the Pack's third-year leader. Doeren and his staff have shown in their short time on cam- pus they will not back down from anybody on the recruiting trail. Not only that, they will even win some of those battles. Early in the process, that didn't appear like it would be the case. McGirt picked archrival UNC in June, Frasier committed to defending national champion Florida State in August, and then the biggest punch to the gut came later in the month when Roseboro pledged to Michigan. He admitted the Pack — the team he grew up cheering for — fin- ished second, but the coaches refused to give in on any of the three. "We never quit," Doeren said. "There were seven guys in this class that were, at one time, committed to somebody else. Many of them were in-state players. Some- times things happen early for a young man, but we're going to stick with them." NCSU perfectly walked the fine line be- tween persistence and giving the recruits their own space. They let the kids know they were wanted, but never pushed too hard. "Some coaches tried to force it on me," McGirt recalled. "[Doeren] just kept it very casual and said, 'Whatever you want to do, I'm fine with it and I'll support you.'" The recruitment of Frasier is another prime example of how the Pack got it done. NC State knew being an in-state option was a built-in benefit, and they eventually took advantage. "I just think we've been on him a long time and we never stopped," Doeren ex- plained. "[Assistant coaches] Clayton [White] and Des [Kitchings] built a good relationship with his family and coaches. Johnny knew we weren't lying to him or painting any pictures that we couldn't prove to him. We were just constant, we were there and we were real. "He realized the distance was too much, and that this was the best decision for him and his family. His mom felt comfortable here. Johnny is a country kid that grew up with great people, and some of the people he loves are huge NC State fans." Winning The BIG BaTTles NC State Kept The Best Players Home By Beating Some Powerhouse Programs Head coach Dave Doeren and his staff landed more players ranked among the state of North Carolina's top 10 than ever before this year with four. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN