NC State receiver Kevin Concepcion picks up ACC accolade
NC State wide receiver Kevin Concepcion helped decide the Wolfpack’s 24-21 win over UVA last week with a dominant performance in the slot. Following his impressive game, the ACC recognized him as the conference’s rookie of the week.
This is Concepcion’s first time receiving the honor, and he earned it after hauling in 6 catches for 116 yards and 2 touchdowns against the Cavaliers. He averaged 19.3 yards per reception and broke off a 48-yard score for 6 of the Pack’s 10 points in the second half.
Quarterback Brennan Armstrong threw to the freshman 10 times, more than any other member of the Wolfpack’s pass catching corps. NC State’s signal-caller discussed the receiver’s performance on a primetime stage after the game.
“This doesn’t scare him,” Armstrong said. “He doesn’t hesitate, he likes this stuff, he doesn’t care about the lights, he enjoys it. Trust me, KC enjoys the lights, but it doesn’t affect him.”
Concepcion loves the big moments and, so far this season, he is one of the top freshman wide receivers in the country.
“It’s just the intensity of the game,” Concepcion said. “It just makes me go.”
Through 4 games, the first-year member of the Pack leads the team in receptions with 22. Porter Rooks is the next closest with 7. Concepcion has already racked up 238 passing yards in total.
Amongst all freshman wide receivers, he ranks second nationally in receptions per game with 5.5 and No. 42 when compared to all FBS pass catchers.
After hauling in the first two touchdowns of his collegiate career, he plans on keeping the first game ball and giving it to his mother.
“It is definitely amazing,” Concepcion said. “I can’t even put words on it, but best believe that ball is going to my mom.”
Concepcion signed with the Wolfpack as a three-star recruit out of Charlotte (NC) Chambers High and enrolled with the program in January. He immediately made a great impression during spring practice, which carried over into fall camp, and he won a starting role at inside wide receiver.
“KC’s playing fast, he’s playing well, he’s hard after the catch for people as well,” NC State head coach Dave Doeren said after the UVA game.
On3’s Charles Power also named Concepcion the national freshman of the week.
“Kevin Concepcion was tabbed as an instant contributor shortly after arriving on campus at NC State,” Power wrote. “The Charlotte (N.C.) Chambers product has lived up to the hype and looks like the Wolfpack’s top receiver just a few games into his college career.”
