BREAKING: 3-star WR Jerel Bolder commits to NC State
Jerel Bolder holds offers from Georgia, Tennessee, Michigan, Ole Miss and many, many others, but he’s staying home. The three-star wide receiver announced his NC State commitment Sunday night— a critical recruiting win for the Wolfpack.
After picking up one of his first offers from NC State two years ago, the class of 2025 standout from Marshville (N.C.) Forest Hills High visited Raleigh plenty of times, built an extremely strong connection with the coaching staff and joined the class during his official visit.
Bolder last visited NC State in January, but the Wolfpack staff maintained its relationship with him through multiple trips to his school. Head coach Dave Doeren played a significant role in the receiver’s recruitment, and wide receivers coach Joker Phillips is very close with the newest Pack commit.
“I just love how he talks,” Bolder said earlier this year. “He’s a straightforward guy, he’s down to Earth, he’s going to give you what you need to hear. Even if you don’t want to hear it, he’ll tell you what you need to hear.”
Doeren stopped by Forest Hills High to meet with Bolder and his high school coach, Jammie Deese, in January. The consistent interest from the head coach left a significant impression.
“If a head coach comes down to the school, that says a lot,” Bolder said. “They definitely stand high on my charts, and they’ve been recruiting me since freshman year.”
NC State’s latest commit released a top five in March. The Wolfpack, Ole Miss, Georgia, Duke and UVA all made the cut. He took one official visit to see Virginia June 7-9 before shutting things down and making his commitment.
Bolder is scheduled to return to Raleigh June 21-23 for his official visit. He will be on campus with fellow commits Gus Ritchey and Will Wilson, along with a host of other talented recruits.
He did not take many trips in the spring but dominated the 7-on-7 circuit with Carolina Stars, going viral for this clip.
His existing bonds with a few members of the Pack roster helped. Bolder already knows Keenan Jackson, Kevin Concepcion, Noah Rogers, Wesley Grimes and cornerback Brandon Cisse. He watched Concepcion light the ACC on fire as a freshman, and he has similar hopes for his collegiate career.
“I feel like, if I go there, I could do the same thing,” Bolder said.
Bolder caught 43 passes for 881 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior, averaging more than 20 yards per reception. The On3 Industry Ranking considers Bolder the No. 411 recruit in the country, the No. 67 wide receiver prospect nationally and the No. 11 recruit in North Carolina’s 2025 class.
