Hours after apparently committing to Rutgers, 6-6, 350-pound offensive line prospect Ali Kassem changed his mind and pledged to the Pack. NJ.com had a Rutgers-centric info article on Kassem before sheepishly updating the story to indicate that the JUCO prospect had a change of heart. Kassem will have an opportunity to play right away with the departure of four seniors from the Wolfpack offensive line.
Wide receiver Travares Copeland, who left West Virginia late in the season "for family reasons," caught 10 balls for 55 yards in a three-game stretch during his freshman season after burning his redshirt for the Mountaineers. He even became a starter before abruptly leaving the program. Copeland may petition the NCAA to not have to sit out a year, but, as a Florida kid, it is hard to see how transferring from WVU to N. C. State really brings him home to address those off the field issues.
Kassem, who played in TOB recruiting country at Moeller High in Cincinnati (also, I believe, Andrew Brackman country), bounced from Western Michigan to ASA College in Brooklyn before deciding to head to Raleigh. He was a two-star recruit out of high school according to Scout.
The six-foot, 180-pound Copeland was more highly regarded out of high school, ranking as a three-star recruit and the nation's #28 athlete according to Rivals. Rivals pegged him as the #53 recruit in talent-rich Florida. He had a long offer list that included Cincinnati, Louisville, Rutgers, and Vanderbilt. Though a dual-threat quarterback in high school, presumably Copeland will remain at wide receiver at N. C. State.