NC State secures impressive preferred walk-on class

NC State wrapped up the scholarship portion of its 2023 recruiting class on National Signing when Bishop Fitzgerald officially joined the program. In addition to the 18 prep and junior college players who accepted scholarships to play in Raleigh, the Wolfpack holds commitments from 12 preferred walk-on prospects, including 6 who are already on campus.

From a pair of IMG Academy alumni, to two prospects from in-state powerhouse Providence Day School, NC State added productive prep athletes from some of the nation’s top high school programs to its 2023 roster.

While NC State can not announce walk-ons until they officially enroll at the university, this is a roundup of the early enrollees and rest of the program’s PWO commits.

Five of NC State’s preferred walk-ons enrolled early

Info for all signees, other than Keyaan Abdul-Rahim and Cameron Todd, is via NC State’s December signing day press release. Stats for all prospects are from MaxPreps.com.

Keyaan Abdul-Rahim

Previous school: Providence Day

Position: Linebacker

Height/weight: 6-0, 210 pounds

Notes: Abdul-Rahim put together two extremely impressive seasons for one of the best programs in the state, recording 314 total tackles, including 28 for loss and 12.5 sacks, over his junior and senior years. He also held a scholarship offer from Boston College.

Carter Alls

Previous school: Heritage High

Position: Offensive line

Height/weight: 6-5, 310 pounds

Notes: Cater Alls started for three years on Heritage’s varsity squad, receiving all-conference honors as a senior. He blocked for Wolfpack freshman quarterback Lex Thomas, who also enrolled in January.

Reed Charpia

Previous school: Louisburg College

Position: Quarterback

Height/weight: 6-0, 175 pounds

Notes: Reed Charpia transferred from Ga. Military College to Louisburg for his sophomore season after playing receiver as a freshman. He completed 115 of 188 passes for 1,374 yards and 16 touchdowns last year and enrolled at NC State in January as a junior.

Jackson Macrae

Previous school: IMG Academy (Fla.)

Position: Offensive line

Height/weight: 6-2, 265 pounds

Notes: Jackson Macrae transferred to IMG for his senior year after playing three seasons with Pinecrest High in Southern Pines, North Carolina.

Matt Preddice

Previous school: IMG Academy (Fla.)

Position: Tight end

Height/weight: 6-4, 240 pounds

Notes: After transferring from Heritage High to IMG, Matt Preddice caught 1 pass for 6 yards during his senior season.

Cameron Todd

Previous school: Lenoir-Rhyne University

Position: Offensive line

Height/weight: 6-2, 280 pounds

Notes: Todd entered the transfer portal after spending one season at Lenoir Rhyne in November and committed to NC State Dec. 21.

Highlights from the other 6 walk-on commits:

Aiden Arias

Previous school: American Heritage High (Fla.)

Position: Long snapper

Height/weight: 6-0, 200 pounds

Notes: Aiden Arias is a five-star long snapper, according to the Kohl’s Professional Camps ranking, and the No. 10 prospect at his position overall. He is high school teammates with NC State safety signee Daemon Fagan.

Jayden Holler

Previous school: Providence Day

Position: Wide receiver

Height/weight: 6-3, 195 pounds

Notes: Jayden Holler opted to walk on at NC State after putting together a solid senior season with Providence Day, catching 34 passes for 529 yards and 6 touchdowns. Charlotte offered him a scholarship in January.

Christon Manning

Previous school: Northern Nash High

Position: Defensive lineman

Height/weight: 6-2, 296 pounds

Notes: Christon Manning finished his high school career with an extremely productive senior season, recording 89 total tackles, including 21.5 for loss, over 15 games. He also held a Division-I offer from Bethune-Cookman.

Odera Orizu

Previous school: Charlotte Christian School

Position: Defensive lineman

Height/weight: 6-5, 235 pounds

Notes: Odera Orizu picked the Wolfpack over a Division-I offer from Western Carolina. He made 43 total tackles, 5 for loss, and recorded 2 sacks during the 2022 season.

Blake Raphael

Previous school: Cardinal Gibbons High

Position: Linebacker

Height/weight: 6-0, 205 pounds

Notes: During his senior year with Cardinal Gibbons, Blake Raphael recorded 38 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and an interception.

Griffin Reimer

Previous school: Weddington High

Position: Tight end

Height/weight: 6-4, 235 pounds

Notes: Griffin Reimer caught 53 passes for 651 yards and 7 touchdowns during his senior season. He also held offers from Appalachian State and Coastal Carolina.