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NC State's top-five performances from week one of camp

On3 imageby:Ethan McDowell•06/07/22•

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Brandon Cisse (Photo by Ethan McDowell/On3)


The first weekend of NC State’s Dave Doeren Football Camps were absolutely packed with talent. Some of the top athletes from North Carolina and beyond gathered at the Close-King practice facility Friday through Sunday to compete against their peers, receive important feedback from the Wolfpack coaching staff, and, for some, vie for a coveted scholarship offer from NC State. 

After covering each of the three days extensively, The Wolfpacker put together a list of five standout performances from the weekend.  

Honorable mentions include: 2023 tight end Javonte Vereen, 2023 receiver Nathan Leacock, 2024 safety Zay Mincey, and 2025 receiver Je’rel Bolder. 

Tamarcus Cooley, Rolesville High School 

Position: ATH

Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM) Leader: Ole Miss, 34.6 percent

The versatile, three-star defensive back and wide receiver arrived on campus Sunday shortly after completing an official visit to Ole Miss. Once the one-on-one competition began, he was making plays all over the field and showing why a large group of power-five programs joined his recruitment this spring. 

Tamarcus Cooley’s effort and mindset on the field stood out more than anything. He was excited to get in as many reps against the best competition the camp had to offer. The class of 2023 athlete was arguably the most impressive player of the weekend. 

Lex Thomas, Heritage High School

Position: Quarterback

RPM Leader: N/A, committed to NC State

After throwing on Friday and observing camp Saturday, Lex Thomas returned to campus Sunday and wow’d those in attendance with his arm strength and accuracy. He was especially on-point throwing deep balls and clearly had a connection with Cooley, who he connected with for at least two touchdowns. 

Thomas committed to NC State in July 2021 and has been instrumental in recruiting other athletes to join him in Raleigh. The class of 2023, three-star signal caller gets an extra shout out here for his recruiting effort, but he certainly impressed on the field as well. 

Kevin Concepcion, Julius Chambers High School

Position: Wide Receiver

RPM Leader: NC State, 57.3 percent

Kevin Concepcion is one of the receivers who Thomas is recruiting to NC State, and the On3 Consensus three-star 2023 wideout showed why, displaying great speed and secure hands all day Friday. This was his first time catching passes from Thomas, but it looked like the two have already forged a connection on the field. 

The receiver also joined Thomas Saturday at camp just to watch. North Carolina is considered the main competition for Concepcion and holds 25.3 percent of the RPM. No other school has over five percent. Concepcion plans to officially visit the Wolfpack June 17. 

Brandon Cisse, Lakewood High School (S.C.)

Position: Cornerback

RPM Leader: Middle Tennessee State, 30.8 percent

Brandon Cisse started off day two of camp at 100 miles per hour when he clocked a 4.45 40-yard-dash that immediately caught the eyes of the NC State staff and, after dominating one-on-ones, the class of 2023 cornerback received an offer from the Wolfpack. 

In addition to his speed, Cisse impressed with his coverage skills, breaking up one impressive pass that would have gone for a touchdown if he did not bat it away. Cisse followed up his camp performance with another visit to NC State Tuesday morning. Middle Tennessee is his RPM leader, with Bowling Green in second at 26.9 percent.

Grant Tucker, Charlotte Christian School

Position: ATH

RPM Leader: North Carolina, 35.9 percent

Grant Tucker has an elite combination of size and speed that places him in the versatile position to play either linebacker or receiver at the collegiate level. He worked out primarily at receiver Sunday and showed off his separation ability on this deep ball from Thomas. 

His day started off with a 4.49 40-yard dash, he broad jumped almost 10 feet, and he measured in at 6-3, 179 pounds. Wide Receivers coach Joker Phillips talks to Tucker the most out of the coaching staff, but Tucker said NC State is recruiting him to play both sides of the ball. The class of 2023 athlete has not received a scholarship offer from the Wolfpack. 

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