Kamen Smith decides to stay home with NC State commitment

After receiving double-digit scholarship offers this spring and becoming one of the highest-recruited linemen in North Carolina, Kamen Smith is sticking with the program that makes him feel the most at home. The offensive lineman committed to NC State Sunday afternoon over North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia Tech.

Smith went on three official visits in June, sandwiching a trip to Raleigh between visits to Virginia Tech and UNC. 

Between a fishing trip with offensive line coach John Garrison, the university’s academics, and the opportunity to spend time with current Wolfpack athletes and some of the class of 2023 commits, Smith had a good official visit. NC State was able to create a family atmosphere throughout his recruitment.

“It just felt like home from the start really,” Smith said.

He reached his decision early this week and called both Garrison and head coach Dave Doeren to let them know he will be joining the class. 

“They were excited,” Smith said. “They were pumped up after that.”

The lineman built a genuine bond with Garrison during his recruitment. Smith said he is confident the coach will help prepare him for the next level, and a mutual love of fishing also helped them grow their relationship. 

“Number one, you can see firsthand how good he is with development,” Smith said. “And then, really, we’re both pretty into fishing, so we were able to relate with that.”

Coach Doeren also built a solid relationship with Smith, making sure he took the time to talk to the lineman each time he visited campus. Smith said the connection with the head coach helped grow even more comfortable with the Wolfpack. Doeren told the lineman that he can see him having a productive career in the NC State offensive line room. 

“He said he felt like he knew NC State was home for me all along,” Smith said. “He really sees my fit there going a long way, and he really feels like I can be successful there.”

At 6-4, 275 pounds, Smith is extremely versatile and said the NC State staff believes he can play anywhere on the line. 

Academics were also a factor in Smith’s decision as well. He has considered majoring in engineering in college but is not sure what he hopes to pursue at the moment. The lineman thought about enrolling early at NC State but thinks he will instead stay at Wilkes Central to complete his basketball and track careers. 

Smith said he talks frequently with NC State defensive line commit Isaiah Shirley, who told The Wolfpacker he was recruiting the lineman to join the class in June. Current NC State guard Lyndon Cooper hosted Smith on his official visit, and Smith mentioned he was also able to get closer with quarterback-commit Lex Thomas during the trip. 

Now that he’s officially a member of Pack23, Smith said he plans on recruiting wide receiver Kevin Concepcion and running back Daylan Smothers to join him in Raleigh. 

The lineman clearly has a lot of faith in the NC State football program, also mentioning general manager Merci Falaise and assistant athletic director and director of strength and conditioning Dantonio Burnette as factors in his decision.  

“I know they can get me to where I need to be,” Smith said. “As long as I work, they’re going to take me as far as they can, so I’m really looking forward to that.”

Smith is the eleventh commit of the 2023 class and the fourth offensive lineman.

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