KC Concepcion, Aydan White earn preseason All-ACC recognition
NC State football heads into the 2024 season with high expectations for the team overall, and a couple individual players received some recognition Thursday as well. Senior cornerback Aydan White and sophomore wide receiver KC Concepcion both made the All-ACC preseason squad.
The Wolfpack stars each earned all-conference recognition after their respective 2023 seasons, and the media poll projects them to uphold that lofty standard this fall. Concepcion received more votes than any other wide receiver in the conference.
White returned to NC State for his fifth season after making consecutive All-ACC squads during his collegiate carer. He emerged as a star for the Pack in 2022. The 6-0 defensive back shut down his side of the field, intercepting 4 passes, defending 9 others and making a career-high 46 total tackles. White made the all-conference first team that season.
In the following year, he made 37 total tackles to go along with 2 interceptions and a career-best 10 defended passes— an all-ACC third team campaign. The cornerback has recorded at least 1 interception in all four seasons with the Wolfpack. Now, White is emerging as a leader for NC State as well.
“Aydan White is a lot more vocal than he’s ever been,” head coach Dave Doeren said earlier this year.
Concepcion exploded onto the national college football stage last fall as one of the most exciting wide receivers in the country. He finished his freshman season with 71 catches, 839 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns— leading the Wolfpack in all three categories.
The receiver played in the slot, out wide and in the backfield. He did a little bit of everything for NC State. Concepcion added 320 rushing yards last season on 41 carries. The ACC recognized his accomplishments with its rookie of the year award and a spot on the all-conference second team.
NC State director of strength and conditioning Dantonio Burnette praised the sophomore for the work he put in this offseason to add muscle to his 5-11 frame.
“One thing I’ve noticed about KC is his legs are so much stronger,” Burnette said. “Seeing him squat and move weight around, he’s much more powerful. He’s faster, which is really cool. He’s still young, he’s only in his second year, but he’s a hard-working dude in the weight room.”
