NC State trending for 4-star WR Jonathan Paylor

Burlington (N.C.) Hugh M Cummings four-star wide receiver Jonathan Paylor is set to make his college decision on Aug. 4. As decision day approaches, an in-state team has emerged as the favorite to land Paylor.

Following recent industry updates, NC State now holds the lead in Paylor’s recruitment according to On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM). The Wolfpack sit with a 61.3% chance to land Paylor’s pledge. South Carolina, who was the leader for most of Paylor’s recruitment, now sits in second at 33.9%.

In June Paylor took officials visits to North Carolina, Maryland, NC State and South Carolina. No school has hosted him as much as NC State with Paylor taking double-digit trips to Raleigh. The 5-foot-9, 170-pounder was back at NC State last weekend for Wolfpack’s Alpha Wolf Showcase.

When decision comes, Paylor will be choosing between  NC State, UNC, Penn State, Maryland and South Carolina. He hasn’t made a decision yet and said that will likely happen the day before or of his commitment. Once that decision is made though, Paylor is expected to shut his recruitment down.

“It’s still between the top five,” Paylor told The Wolfpacker’s Ethan McDowell. “Right now, all schools are still top contenders. All schools are still up there, but, right now, what helps me is the family decision, what program fits me the most and what offense would I fit in.”

Ranked as the No. 169 overall player in the class, Paylor is also the No. 28 WR and No. 4 player out of North Carolina in the cycle, per the On3 Industry Rankings, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

For more NC State recruiting intel, check out The Wolfpacker.

Paylor would be a much-needed receiver pick up for NC State

A pledge from Paylor would be a huge recruiting win for the Wolfpack as their 2024 class currently is without any receiver pledges. He would also be the highest-ranked pledge in a class that currently has only three-star commits.

Currently NC State has the No. 57 class in the country and the No. 12 class in the ACC with 12 commits. Their 12 commits ties the Wolfpack with Virginia for the least in the ACC. They have recruited in-state heavily though landing pledges from Charlotte Providence Day safety Brody Barnhardt, Gastonia Ashbrook offensive tackle Trent Mitchell, Rolesville running back Isiah Jones and Wake Forest linebacker Zane Williams.

Alexandria (Ala.) Gulf Shores athlete Ronnie Royal III and Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna quarterback Cedrick Bailey Jr are the two highest-ranked players currently in NC State’s group.