An in-state lineman talks about his dedication to WVU
WV’s Charleston Early this week, George Washington offensive lineman Aiden Ellis committed to West Virginia, turning down full scholarship offers from numerous Division Two schools in favor of a walk-on status with the Mountaineers. He did not need to consider it for a long time.
“WVU has been my dream since I was a little kid,” Ellis stated. “I had to take advantage of the opportunity when it presented itself following camp.
For the vast majority of West Virginia University’s 2024 recruiting class, the season is almost over. That essentially means that senior highlights, which present their skills for the last time at the high school level, are released. Let’s look at Dunnellon, Florida, defensive back commit Chris Henry, who is committed to WVU. See the highlights from his senior year above.
Yes, that time of year has returned. All throughout the nation, programs are keeping track of which players are using the transfer portal, who else is using it from other universities, and who they might want to add to their roster for the upcoming campaign.
Although it is not officially open until Monday, 15 players from NC State have already added their names to the list. These include CJ Clark, Terrell Timmons, MJ Morris, and a few other key players from the Pack’s 2023 campaign.
Through the portal, we’ve pinpointed nine position areas where the Wolfpack can strengthen, along with some potential transfer targets and ways that gaining experience will help the Pack win in 2024.
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First, the obvious: NC State requires a QB1 by 2024. When MJ Morris enters the portal, the Pack will have a big hole to fill at the core of their offensive line. The only returning quarterback with any collegiate experience is redshirt Ethan Rhodes, who only had one three-yard pass against VMI this past season.
From Hollywood, Florida’s Chaminade-Madonna Prep, Cedrick Bailey possesses a wealth of pedigree, but the red and white must find an experienced player to allow Bailey to further his career. Furthermore, Miami is currently trying to flip the long-term Wolfpack commit, so that’s not a given.
Luckily for the Wolfpack, there are plenty of quarterbacks searching for new places to call home. Names like Riley Leonard and Tyler Van Dyke alone in the ACC provide a wealth of experienced quarterback play.
Grayson McCall, a veteran of four successful years at Coastal Carolina, brings another level of experience to the table from his previous experience in the Carolinas. Other well-known figures at NC State include former Wolfpack quarterback Ben Finley, who came from Cal, and DJ Uiagalelei, who came from Oregon State and was a former Clemson Tiger.
There’s also a lot of talent among the newcomers. Along with other west coast options like Cam Ward and Dante Moore from UCLA and Washington State, respectively, Will Howard from Kansas State and Will Rogers from Mississippi State have generated a lot of interest since they entered the transfer portal.
There are plenty of targets for NC State to pursue. And those are only the names that have been submitted thus far prior to the portal’s official launch.
The storyline that centered around the Wolfpack offense was Kevin Concepcion’s ascent to prominence as one of the top young playmakers in college football. Looking for players to complement their star wideout, NC State must, as KC is committed to the Pack in 2024 on a large NIL deal.
As more players enter the wide receiver room, the need to improve it becomes more pressing in preparation for the 2023 team’s arrival. NC State loses a lot of length on the outside with the departure of Terrell Timmons and Anthony Smith, but the Pack gains a sizable depth piece in Porter Rooks.
There isn’t a clear cut solution for where the Pack should look to bolster its wide receiver group once more. Christian Moss of Virginia Tech is a 6-foot-3 player with plenty of length and ACC familiarity. It’s really anybody’s guess, but NC State might also put their name in the hat for one of the more well-known names in the portal, such as Cortez Braham from West Virginia or Ashton Cozart from Oregon. Fortunately, the Pack has committed three-star wideout Jimmar Boston, Christian Zachary, and four-star recruit Terrell Anderson among its 2024 class.
Right now, NC State has an extremely small tight end room for 2024. Trent Pennix recently competed in his final year of eligibility. Cedd Seabrough and Chris Toudle both logged into the transfer portal. Juice Vereen probably fits the profile of a wide receiver better because he lacks the bulk to be relied upon as the starting tight end.
Like wide receiver, Dae’Quan Wright of Virginia Tech is one of the most visible possible targets in the portal. In the penultimate game of the 2023 season, 6-foot-4 Wright scored 42 yards on four receptions against the Pack and is a clear matchup problem overall. There may be interest in two additional ACC tight ends: Sage Ennis from Clemson and Kamari Morales from
At offensive line, you can never have too much depth. In 2023, the Wolfpack’s frequently unsteady forward play demonstrated as much. Even though State eventually found success in the trenches, this offseason, it will be crucial to add more talent to the O-line. The moment Lyndon Cooper logs into the transfer portal, that significance increases.
Clemson’s Mitchell Mayes could give the Pack an instant improvement in that area. In the end, Mayes might make it to Raleigh as NC State was very interested in him in the class of 2020. Mason Bowers from Coastal Carolina, Christian Forbes from Wake Forest, and Jestus Johnson from Virginia are three more possible additions.
You can never have too much depth at offensive line. That was made evident by the Wolfpack’s often erratic forward play in 2023. It will be imperative to bolster the O-line this offseason, even though State eventually found success in the trenches. That significance grows the moment Lyndon Cooper logs into the transfer portal.
Mitchell Mayes of Clemson might provide the Pack with an immediate boost in that regard. Ultimately, Mayes might end up in Raleigh because NC State was a big fan of his in the 2020 class. Three more potential additions are Mason Bowers from Coastal Carolina, Christian Forbes from Wake Forest, and Jestus Johnson from Virginia.
Although Payton Wilson, the all-time great of the program, cannot really be replaced, NC State needs to bolster its linebacker depth chart. In addition to Torren Wright and Daejuan Thompson, the Pack’s redshirt freshmen, Wilson and Jaylon Scott are also ineligible.
Similar to quarterback, the Pack’s young talent at linebacker would benefit greatly from additional veteran presence at linebacker. While Caden Fordham and Devon Betty performed admirably in supporting roles in 2023, having a veteran player in the starting lineup for an additional year could aid in the development of incoming freshmen Joshua Ofor, Zane Williams, and Cannon Lewis.
Aydin Henningham from Pitt, Derek Boykins from Charlotte, and Miami’s Corey Flagg are a few names to keep an eye on as potential targets.
NICKEL
Last season, Robert “Poogie” Kennedy stood out as one of the Pack’s best steals through the transfer portal, playing a vital nickel position. Darius Edmundson, a possible successor, is in the portal, so NC State will have to start searching for the next Kennedy in 2024.
Options for who that might be are difficult to ascertain. The quality nickel the Wolfpack is looking for needs the athleticism to cover agile ACC slot receivers as well as the physicality to come up and stop the run game when needed. A couple guys that could fit that bill are Warren Burrell out of Tennessee, Bryquice Brown out of Georgia State, Jaden Watkins from Duke and Ramon Henderson from Notre Dame. DEFENSIVE BACK Calling this part “defensive back” intentionally encompasses the Pack’s need to add some depth at corner as well as work out its main safeties for 2024. The Wolfpack’s two defensive backs in the transfer portal — Nate Evans and Jakeen Harris — demonstrate those needs, respectively.
NC State has a couple highly-touted safeties coming to campus in 2024 such as Ronnie Royal III and Brody Barnhardt, but losing Harris and the potential of Shyheim Battle and/or Aydan White heading to the NFL prompts the need for a starter-quality safety to bring to Raleigh. A few possible names the Pack could target are Brendon Harris out of Wake Forest, Devin Clark out of Virginia and Will Jones out of USF.
