The War Room: Where NC State stands with each player that has set an official visit

By Noah Fleischman

NC State’s football coaching staff and recruiting department have been busy setting up their official visit calendar for this summer. While these trips are four months away, the Wolfpack has a good idea of where it stands with several priority recruits. 

The Wolfpack will continue to recruit in the meantime, but it is a good sign the program has nearly two dozen targets signed up to make trips to Raleigh in June. Does this mean the Pack will land every recruit? No. But the chances of landing a propect who hasn’t visited NC State are not good.

When looking at the numbers from the 2024 cycle visitors, the Wolfpack hosted 23 recruits on official visits during the month of June and landed commitments from 16 of them, including 10 on its priority weekend that featured quarterback CJ Bailey and wideout Terrell Anderson. 

As the Pack prepares for another round of official visits, here is the latest intel on where NC State stands with each recruit that has their June trip to campus locked in.

June 6-8

Four-star S Cortez Redding

Redding, the No. 13 safety in the country, holds NC State high in his recruitment process thanks to his relationship with co-defensive coordinator Charlton Warren. The Pack’s new safeties coach went to high school with Redding’s mother in Georgia, which has continued to help NC State in this recruitment. There’s a long way to go in landing Redding, who is also targeting official visits at Miami and Ole Miss this summer. The Pack, however, sits in a good spot after it hosted Redding, a Jonesboro (Ga.) High standout for a junior day, and he is making at least two more trips to Raleigh with a spring practice visit in the works and his official set for the first weekend in June. 

Four-star RB Evan Hampton

Hampton released his top seven schools earlier this month, and NC State made the cut after his junior day trip to visit the Wolfpack on Jan. 25. A former Kentucky baseball commit, Hampton has shot up the Wolfpack’s running back board. The No. 24 tailback in the country from Owensboro (Ky.) High enjoyed his first trip to NC State, and he continues to build a strong connection with running backs coach Todd Goebbel. The Wolfpack has positioned itself well in his recruitment, while Duke, Louisville, Indiana, West Virginia, Vanderbilt and Virginia Tech are all also in hot pursuit of one of the country’s top running backs. 

Three-star OL Tre Aiken

NC State has been on Aiken, a 6-foot-4, 285-pound tackle from Clinton (S.C.) Senior High since it offered him last June. He visited the Pack twice last summer, including for the program’s Alpha Wolf Showcase at the end of July. Aiken believes in NC State’s development on the offensive line, led by Garett Tujague. He remains high on the Wolfpack, but NC State will have to battle several ACC programs to land his commitment. Aiken will also take official visits to Georgia Tech (May 30) Virginia Tech (June 12) and South Carolina (June 20), he told Gamecock Central’s Wes Mitchell earlier this month. 

Three-star S D’Various Surratt

An in-state recruit, Surratt is among Warren’s targets to bolster the Wolfpack’s secondary. The Shelby (N.C.) Crest High product was a priority for Warren during his time at UNC, and that hasn’t changed since he arrived at NC State. Surratt believes in Warren as a coach and mentor, a big piece in his recruitment. He thought that would be beneficial as he prepares to move away from home for the first time after he makes this college decision. Surratt is enjoying the recruiting process, but he feels wanted by NC State, and the Wolfpack is among the top three schools standing out in his recruitment, joined by Duke (official visit on June 13-15) and Virginia Tech (official visit on June 20-22). 

CB Chase Geter

Geter was being recruited by nickels coach Freddie Aughtry-Lindsay for most of the process. Although Aughtry-Lindsay is now the defensive coordinator at Sam Houston State, Geter’s interest in the program hasn’t gone down much. He can see himself playing within NC State’s secondary. While that is the case, the Ashburn (Va.) Stone Bridge cornerback’s official visit will be key in strengthening his relationships with the Wolfpack’s coaching staff. There isn’t a clear leader in Geter’s recruitment currently. 

RB Jamal Rule

The Charlotte (N.C.) Christian running back continues to see his recruitment heat up. He holds offers from App State, Syracuse, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Virginia Tech, among others. He recently told TheWolfpacker.com that NC State was near the top for him. That is a good sign for NC State, which is likely to take three running backs this recruiting cycle after signing just one in the 2025 class. Keep an eye on Rule, an unranked back. NC State is in a very good spot in this recruitment.

June 13-15

Four-star CB Jalen Williams

NC State is pushing to keep itself at the top of the Marietta (Ga.) Kell High school standout’s recruitment. And so far, the Wolfpack has done a fairly good job at doing that. Williams’ offer list might resemble the length of a CVS receipt with the amount of power conference schools that are interested in him, including several from the SEC. But NC State has been able to continue to make a positive impression on Williams through Warren’s consistent recruiting and his trip to the Pack’s junior day on Jan. 25. He enjoyed the visit, and NC State’s culture of toughness is something that sticks out to Williams. The defensive back plans to take his time with the recruiting process. 

Three-star DL Brian Harris

After decommitting from Maryland, Harris has NC State among his top five programs moving forward. Wolfpack defensive line coach Charley Wiles has done everything he can to keep NC State in this recruitment, even when he was committed to the Terrapins. Wiles has stopped by Jacksonville (Fla.) Mandarin High multiple times over the past few years to see Harris, who he didn’t offer until January. Wiles wanted to see Harris improve in a few areas during his junior year, which was evident on the field. He earned an offer from the Pack and can see himself playing at NC State. The Wolfpack has company with Stanford, South Carolina and West Virginia also in the thick of Harris’ recruitment. He has an open mind going into his official visit schedule and likely will not make a decision until after he makes all of his trips. 

Three-star ATH KD Cotton

The West Charlotte (N.C.) High defensive back continues to think highly of NC State. Warren is leading his recruitment and has built a bond with Cotton. The 5-foot-10, 175-pound defensive back made a trip to the program’s junior day on Jan. 25, and he enjoyed his time on campus. Cotton noted that experience helped vault the Pack up in his recruitment. Another trip to NC State will bolster the Pack’s chances. 

OT Ben Mubenga

While Mubenga is an unranked offensive line prospect currently, that will change soon enough. He looks the part of a power conference tackle at 6-foot-5, 275 pounds and he held his own at the Under Armour Next camp in Atlanta earlier this month. Mubenga, a highly coveted prospect, recently cut his list to five schools, including NC State. Tujague has been able to “relentlessly” recruit Mubenga, which has made a positive impact. The offensive lineman plans to be back on campus for a spring practice in March before his official visit. The Pack is a team he can see himself playing for, even though Arkansas, Florida State, Louisville and LSU are all in the mix.

OT Edward Baker

Similar to Mubenga, Baker boasts a power conference frame already at 6-foot-4, 315 pounds. This is a big-time recruitment with multiple SEC programs in the hunt, including Alabama, Tennessee and Florida. Despite that, NC State is in Baker’s top three going into the spring. The Baltimore St. Frances Academy standout really enjoys Tujague, who talks to him every single day. Baker projects as a tackle, but can play all five positions on the offensive line. The Wolfpack has done a really good job at keeping itself at the top of Baker’s mind and will look to capitalize on that when he arrives on campus for his visit.

June 20-22 — Priority recruiting weekend

Four-star DL Noah Clark

One of Wiles’ top priorities in the 2026 cycle, Clark is a highly sought after defensive lineman on the national landscape. He has picked up recent offers from Michigan and Ohio State, while he also has official visits set with Duke, South Carolina and Virginia Tech. Clark, who is rated as the No. 33 defensive lineman nationally per the On3 Industry Rankings, has a strong relationship with Wiles and co-defensive line coach Elisha Shaw. A nearby product of Durham (N.C.) Jordan High, Clark knows what he’s getting with NC State. Nothing has surprised him on that front. The Pack is in a really good spot in this recruitment. 

Four-star DL Keshawn Stancil

Another top target for Wiles, Stancil — On3’s No. 24 defensive lineman in the class — is setting an official visit, especially on this date, which is a good sign for the Wolfpack. He is taking officials to Auburn, Miami and Penn State as well, but NC State will continue to recruit Stancil. The Clayton (N.C.) High defensive lineman was most recently on campus for the Pack’s junior day on Feb. 1, which he “loved.” The Wolfpack continues to do what it can to stay in this recruitment. A big-time official visit trip will go a long way in this process.  

Four-star EDGE Elijah Littlejohn

NC State has been a program that Littlejohn has been high on throughout his recruitment, and he recently set this official visit with the Pack. He has kept much of his process quiet, but the Wolfpack’s persistence has helped keep NC State towards the top of the schools he is interested in. New defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot has played a big role in Littlejohn’s recruitment, as of late, visiting him for breakfast in January. Eliot’s system, which features edge rushers in a consistent role, sticks out to Littlejohn. Bringing in the nation’s No. 29 EDGE on the priority weekend is a good sign for NC State, which would like to wrap his recruitment up after being on campus with the Pack’s other top prospects.

Three-star WR Jaire Richburg

The Wolfpack is going to go all-out for the Kernersville (N.C.) East Forsyth wideout until he commits. And if that’s not to the Wolfpack, it will continue to do so until he signs. Richburg has immense interest in NC State. Wide receivers coach Joker Phillips is his primary recruiter, and he has done a good job in the process so far. Richburg will be back on campus for a spring visit and then again for his official. He isn’t in a hurry to make a decision with a trip to Virginia Tech scheduled for May 30, but Richburg plans on committing before his senior year begins. The ability to play early with the Pack sticks out as a main selling point in Raleigh.  

Three-star QB Jacob Smith (NC State commit)

NC State quarterback commit Jacob Smith is recovering well from the season-ending knee injury he suffered in the fall. He is set to return to the field for his senior season. Smith is locked in with the Wolfpack and will be on campus for his official visit, looking to help add to the class. He was a key recruiter during both of NC State’s junior day events, and the Wolfpack is looking for more of the same on this major recruiting weekend.

Three-star OT Brady Sakowitz (NC State commit)

Like Smith, Sakowitz was on campus for the Wolfpack’s first junior day on Jan. 25. The Richmond (Va.) Trinity Episcopal offensive tackle helped recruit those that were in attendance and will look to do the same on his official visit. He’s locked in with NC State moving forward.

ATH Aiden Smalls

Smalls, who plays quarterback for Clayton (N.C.) High, will be back on campus for an official visit. The Wolfpack is recruiting him to play wide receiver, where he played as a sophomore. He has a good bond with the Pack’s coaching staff and is looking to strengthen that on his visit. Smalls has aspirations to play quarterback in college, though he will do whatever is best for the college he selects. Phillips is his primary recruiter, and the honesty that the assistant coach displays has gone a long way with Smalls. 

CB Sean Johnson

NC State cornerbacks coach Brian Mitchell doesn’t usually offer a ton of players, but when he does, the assistant puts on the full-court press to land the target. Johnson, a corner from Severn (Md.) Archbishop Spalding, fits that mold. Mitchell extended an offer last April and has remained in touch ever since. The Wolfpack made Johnson’s top 10 list earlier this month, and he is very interested in NC State. The Pack can continue to put itself apart from the other programs in his recruitment by selling Johnson on how NC State can prepare him for life after football, while showing him how the coaching staff will “push me past my limits,” Johnson said. 

EDGE Jace McCallum

NC State has been pushing for McCallum recently. The Harrisburg (N.C.) Hickory Ridge standout welcomed coach Dave Doeren to his school during the contact period, signaling how much interest the Wolfpack has in him. He has reciprocated that back to the staff. While there is mutual interest, McCallum will also take official visits to Duke and Virginia. 

EDGE Kamron Wilson

The Wolfpack has had success recruiting Florida and is now targeting the Miami Southridge EDGE. It has been a fairly quiet recruitment so far, but Wilson appears to be aiming to leave the Sunshine State. He has four official visits currently set up, all outside of Florida. He will travel to Minnesota (May 30), Cal (June 6) and Syracuse (June 13) before arriving in Raleigh.

TE DJ Howerton

A longtime NC State target, Howerton will be on campus during the Wolfpack’s pivotal recruiting weekend. He has continued to build a strong relationship with new tight ends coach Gavin Locklear. Howerton has immense interest in the Wolfpack and it’s mutual. This could be a visit that seals the deal for the tight end, who seems to find joy every time he’s talking about NC State. Howerton will also take an official visit to Rutgers (May 30). 

June 24

Three-star LB Chad Fairchild

NC State seemed to be Fairchild’s leader while Tony Gibson was on staff, but after his departure, the linebacker was “heartbroken.” The Wolfpack is firmly in the mix here, but does not appear to be his leader. Fairchild told On3’s Chad Simmons that Kansas currently leads in his recruitment, while Mississippi State isn’t far behind. NC State has work to do to catch back up, and this official visit will be key in that process.