The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/592698
130 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BY MATT CARTER T he Wolfpack has not picked up a foot- ball verbal commitment from the senior class since July 30, but it has remained active on the trail. In particular, NC State appears to be targeting wide receivers and defensive backs, but its targets are scattered throughout most of the position groups. Here is an update of some of the top recruits on NCSU's board, broken down by position. Wide Receiver Heading in to the beginning November, at least seven receivers had been linked to NC State. The common theme among all of them: they have good height for the position. Three-star Isaiah Johnson (6-3, 190 pounds) from West Palm Beach (Fla.) Dw- yer High made an official visit to NC State for the season opener against Troy Sept. 5. However, he has been a verbal commitment to Florida since March. Rivals.com rates Johnson as the No. 91 wide receiver in the senior class. At least four wideouts were penciled in to visit for the Clemson game Oct. 31, headlined by four-star Diondre Overton from Greensboro (N.C.) Page High. It would be Overton's second unofficial visit to NCSU this fall. He earlier attended the Eastern Kentucky contest Sept. 12, but NC State will have to overcome Clemson, Overton's leader. Tennessee, UNC and Ne- braska round out Overton's top five. The 6-5, 195-pounder is listed as the No. 27 wide receiver and No. 137 overall player in the 2016 class. Three-star C.J. Riley (6-5, 190 pounds) from Coconut Creek (Fla.) North Broward High has narrowed his focus to offers from Duke, Nebraska and NC State. He has pre- viously visited NC State on two occasions over the summer and made an official visit to Nebraska Oct. 9. Through eight games of his senior sea- son, Riley had caught 31 passes for 816 yards and 10 touchdowns. One-time Central Florida commit- ment DeVontres Dukes from Tampa (Fla.) Wharton High was expected to visit for the Clemson contest. The 6-4, 200-pounder has enjoyed a good senior season that has led to additional offers from Miami, Marshall and South Florida, among others. Dukes is originally from Raeford, N.C., and attended Hoke County High School before moving to Florida in 2014. Rivals.com rates him a two-star prospect. Chavis Dawkins from Duncan (S.C.) Byrnes High was also an anticipated visi- tor at the Clemson contest. Dawkins (6-2, 195 pounds) has offers from Louisville and Wake Forest, in addition to NCSU. He has been on State's board since a stellar performance at the Pack's summer camp in 2014. Dawkins, also rated two stars, caught three touchdown passes from dis- tances of 62, 47 and 78 yards in the first quarter of Byrnes home win over then-na- tionally ranked Mallard Creek High from Charlotte Sept. 4. When Weston (Fla.) Cypress Bay won Three-star wide receiver C.J. Riley from Coconut Creek (Fla.) North Broward has a top three of Duke, Nebraska and NC State. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM ■ FOOTBALL RECRUITING Work To Be Done