NC State WR Kevin Concepcion does it all in the Wolfpack’s win over Clemson

As NC State walked off the natural grass field at Carter-Finley Stadium for halftime against Clemson on Saturday afternoon, Wolfpack coach Dave Doeren found himself next to his star offensive playmaker and had a challenge for him.

The 11th-year coach told freshman wide receiver Kevin Concepcion, who has been playing banged up, he would give the young star some time off this week at practice, but he needed him to “suck it up” for the second half. 

Concepcion had 58 total yards — of NC State’s 85 — and the team’s lone touchdown at the half. Doeren knew the Wolfpack would lean on Concepcion in the second half, and he needed a big half from the do-it-all guy. 

“He said, ‘Coach, you know me, I’m going to play my butt off,’” Doeren recalled postgame. “You’ve just got to love that, and that type of guy. I’m super proud and thankful that he is in the Wolfpack.”

The Charlotte, N.C., native answered his coach’s call in the second half. 

Concepcion finished with 134 total yards and two scores, including a 72-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter. That big game accounted for 66% of the Pack’s offensive yardage output in the 24-17 win over the Tigers.  

While big receiving days are not an uncommon occurrence for Concepcion, he was not just a wideout for the Wolfpack in the game. He lined up at almost every offensive position against the Tigers — inside and outside receiver, as well as in the backfield at running back. 

Doeren was impressed with Concepcion’s ability to do whatever is asked of him by the staff — and to do it as a freshman. 

“Guy’s amazing,” Doeren said. “His football IQ for a guy his age, I’ve never seen anything like it. And he’s tough.”

But for Concepcion, who now leads the Wolfpack with 44 receptions for 493 yards and five touchdowns, it was just another day on the football field. 

“I’m just here to do what the team needs me to do,” Concepcion said. “If it’s that, then I’m going to do it to the best of my abilities.”

The former Charlotte (N.C.) Julius Chambers High standout has looked the part of an upperclassman throughout the entire season — not someone who is in his first season in the ACC. 

Not only does he pace the team in the receiving category, but Concepcion is fifth among active players on the team in rushing with seven carries for 90 yards. He broke off a 50-yard scamper in the first half against the Tigers — one of his two carries for 51 yards — to set up his 9-yard touchdown reception. 

Concepcion’s two-touchdown effort against Clemson marked his third multi-touchdown game in his first eight games at the collegiate level — all in the past five games. He posted a 116-yard game with two touchdowns at Virginia in late-September before he recorded a 102-yard day with another pair of scores against Marshall in early-October. 

The key to Concepcion’s fast start has been his ability to improve through practice. And the bye week, which the Wolfpack just returned from, also helped.

“It’s just constant back-to-back reps,” Concepcion said. “The extra time in the film room, the extra treatment, the extra time on the field with the quarterbacks on the weekend.”

While Concepcion has practically improved each week he has been on campus, the wideout’s success is not a surprise to those that have seen him on the practice field. 

Junior safety Devan Boykin noted the freshman’s ability to be an elite playmaker for the Pack.

“We knew he was going to be an elite player for us the day that he stepped on campus,” Boykin said. “He’s unbelievable. The things he does for our offense, how explosive he is, the plays he’s able to make, it’s just unbelievable — especially as a freshman.”

But for Concepcion, his immediate impact was something that he might not have expected when he arrived in Raleigh. So far, eight games into his career, the wideout has been pivotal in almost all five of the Wolfpack’s wins this fall. 

“It means everything that I can come in here as a freshman,” Concepcion said, “and contribute to a winning team.” 

If Concepcion continues to play at an All-ACC level through the team’s last four games this season, the wins should continue to follow him and the Wolfpack.