The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/470359
MARCH 2015 ■ 37 2015 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE ■ Johnny Frasier RUNNING BACK Princeton (N.C.) High • 5-11 • 225 pounds Measurables: At the Shrine Bowl Combine held at Four Oaks (N.C.) South Johnston High, ran the 40-yard dash in 4.45 seconds and the shuttle in 4.29 seconds, had a 9-6 standing broad jump and did 14 reps at 185 pounds on the bench press. Stats: As a senior, rushed 214 times for 2,266 yards and 33 touchdowns, plus caught 21 passes for 271 yards and three scores … Ran 248 times for 3,042 yards and 45 touchdowns, and caught 25 passes for 555 yards and five scores his junior sea - son … As a sopho- more , carried 229 times for 1,792 yards and 21 touchdowns. Ratings: Ranked by Rivals.com as a four-star prospect, the No. 215 overall player in the nation, the No. 24 running back in the country and the No. 8 recruit in North Caro- lina … Listed by Scout.com as a four-star talent, the No. 53 overall prospect in the nation, the No. 4 running back in the country and the No. 1 talent in his home state … Rated by 247Sports as a four- star recruit, the No. 44 overall player in the nation, the No. 2 running back in the country and the No. 2 prospect in North Carolina … ESPN labeled him as a four-star player, the No. 80 overall recruit in the nation, the No. 6 running back in the country and the No. 3 prospect in North Carolina. Honors/accomplishments: Played in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas All-Star Game and the U.S. Army All-American Game … Had seven carries for 22 yards and caught a four-yard pass in the Shrine Bowl, and had one rush for one yard in the Army contest … Rated by Rivals.com as the No. 5 performer for Team North Carolina during the Shrine Week. Recruitment: Was recruited heavily by national powers, with offers from Alabama, Florida, FSU, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State and Tennessee … Verbally committed to Florida State in August … Cancelled an official visit to Alabama for Jan. 16, but he did take official visits to Tennessee (Oct. 3) and NC State (Jan. 23), switching his pledge to the Pack while on his trip. Recruiters of record: Safeties coach and co- special teams coordinator Clayton White, and RB coach and recruiting coordinator Des Kitchings. Dave Doeren on Frasier: "The thing I liked about Johnny is he made a decision, a good decision early for where he thought he should be, and he kept looking at it then realized the importance of being home. He just handled it the right way, with a lot of class." Scouting report: Has the complete physical tool set to be a feature back in the ACC … Has combination of size and speed that powerhouse schools covet … Relatively new to football and will need to adjust to the step up in competition. 2015 projection: While it is not a lock that Frasier will be playing this fall, it is hard to imagine someone of his talent not seeing playing time. Reggie Gallaspy RUNNING BACK Greensboro (N.C.) Southern Guilford High • 5-10 • 209 pounds Measurables: At the Shrine Bowl Combine held at Washington (N.C.) High, ran the 40-yard dash in 4.37 seconds and the shuttle in 4.26 seconds, had a 9-8 standing broad jump and did 16 reps at 185 pounds on the bench press. Stats: As a senior, led the state in rushing with 3,318 yards on 349 carries (9.5 yards per rush) and scored 52 touchdowns … Also made nine receptions for 123 yards and two scores … Added 29 tackles, three stops for loss, four sacks, two quarterback hur - ries and two forced fumbles on defense … As a junior, ran 282 times for 1,704 yards and 26 touchdowns, and caught 14 passes for 245 yards and a score … Had 23 tackles, six stops for loss and a sack on defense … As a sophomore, rushed 177 times for 1,751 yards and 20 touchdowns. Ratings: Rated by Rivals.com as a four-star prospect, the No. 28 running back in the country and the No. 11 recruit in North Carolina … Ranked by Scout.com as a three-star talent, the No. 84 running back in the country and the No. 20 player in his home state … Listed by 247Sports as a three-star recruit, the No. 46 running back in the country and the No. 15 talent in North Carolina … Regarded by ESPN as a three-star prospect, the No. 43 running back in the country and the No. 18 talent in North Carolina. Honors/accomplishments: Was named an honorable mention Parade All-American … Selected to play in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas All-Star Game, where he started at linebacker and also played on offense … Posted seven carries for four yards, made an eight-yard reception and notched two tackles (1.5 for loss) in the game … Rated by Rivals.com as the No. 4 performer for Team North Carolina during the Shrine Week and the best player for the squad in the game itself … Picked first-team all-state by the Associated Press. Recruitment: Narrowed list of favorites to offers from Arkansas, Duke, Michigan State, NC State, Vanderbilt and Wake Forest … Picked the Wolfpack while on an official visit Sept. 27 … Enrolled early at NC State and will participate in spring practices. Recruiter of record: Safeties coach and co-special teams coordinator Clayton White. Dave Doeren on Gallaspy: "His team went 13-1 and had a terrific season. He also played linebacker and played the entire game on both sides of the ball as a senior, which is impressive." Scouting report: Noted power runner who has a knack for falling forward when being tackled … Has natural vision and instinct … Good downhill speed to break off long runs, but not noted for exceptional lateral quickness. 2015 projection: NC State likes to rotate three running backs. Senior Shadrach Thornton and junior Matt Dayes are locks to get the bulk of the carries next season, but Gallaspy will have the opportunity to get on the field. Vernon Grier WIDE RECEIVER Charlotte Mallard Creek High • 5-11 • 194 pounds Measurables: At a Nike Training Camp, ran the 40-yard dash in 4.67 seconds and the shuttle in 4.28 seconds, registered a 31.3-inch vertical leap and had a 34-foot power throw for a total SPARQ (an overall measure of athletic ability) rating of 86.58. Stats: As a senior, caught 64 passes for 1,158 yards and 14 touchdowns … During junior campaign, had 560 receiving yards and 10 scores. Ratings: Rated by Rivals.com and Scout.com as a two-star recruit … Listed by 247Sports as a three-star prospect, the No. 156 wide receiver in the country and the No. 38 recruit in North Carolina … Ranked by ESPN as a three-star talent, the No. 108 wide receiver in the country and the No. 23 player in his home state. Honors/accomplishments: Caught four passes for 85 yards in 4-AA state title game to help Mallard Creek win its second straight championship, and was named offensive MVP for his team after the game … Helped Mal - lard Creek end the 2014 season ranked No. 31 nationally by USA Today after finishing the 2013 campaign No. 9 in the country … Named to NCPreps.com's 4-A All-State team … Picked first-team Meck 4-A All-Conference … Named second-team All-Observer by The Charlotte Observer as a kick returner … Also competes in track & field, running the third leg on the 2014 4-A state title-winning 4x100 relay team that also won the event at the New Balance Outdoor Nationals last June. Recruitment: Made a verbal commitment to Charleston Southern in the fall … Picked up an offer from NCSU in January … Committed to the Pack Jan. 18 while on an unofficial visit. Recruiter of record: Tight ends/fullbacks coach and special teams coordinator Eddie Faulkner. Dave Doeren on Grier: "I was down there watching a game with Coach Faulkner, and he's talking about Vernon to me. I knew Vernon was fast — we've heard a lot about him in track because he's one of the fastest track athletes in the state — and the opening kick, he returned for a touchdown. I looked at Coach Faulkner, and he gave me a smirk. I knew that he was the real deal." Scouting report: Productive receiver for the best team in the state the past two years … Has good hands and elusiveness in the open field, and projects as a slot receiver in college … Lacks ideal size and top-end speed, but is considered fast enough. 2015 projection: Grier has the benefit of coming from one of the most well-respected programs in the South - east in Mallard Creek, so he should be better prepared for college football than the average prospect. However, he is a safer bet to redshirt next fall.