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Cornerback
Commits
James Valdez 3 Star / 6’0 193 / Orangeburg Wilkinson, Orangeburg, South Carolina
State beat out the likes of South Carolina, Tennessee, and Michigan for the services of the three star corner. Valdez has always loved the Pack, and viewed them as the school that was always right for him. He is another pack commit that is a high three star, and could potentially see a star increase when the rankings are released again. Valdez played both corner and receiver in high school, netting 18 receptions for 405 yards and 4 touchdowns on the offensive side, and 29 tackles with an impressive 7 interceptions on defense.
Targets
Carlos Becker 3 Star / 6’3 185 / Osceola, Kissimmee, Florida
After Mark Gilbert committed to Duke recently, Carlos Becker became the unquestioned top target at cornerback for NC State. Despite his average three star rating, Becker has the offer list of a much higher rated player. He recently released his top ten that included the Pack, Kentucky, Pittsburgh, Michigan State, Florida, Mississippi State, Arkansas, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Notre Dame. The Florida cornerback has expressed interest in leaving his home state for school, and has visited State multiple times. The Wolfpack are undoubtedly one of Carlos’ favorite schools, and should be around until the end. Becker has great size for the position, which contributed to his popularity on the recruiting trail. He had 56 tackles last season and 3 interceptions.
Joe Jay Smith 2 Star / 6’2 206 / Bethlehem Catholic, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Two weeks ago, Smith declared NC State his favorite school out of the five that he had received an offer from. Outside of the Pack, this list includes Boston College, Buffalo, Wake Forest, and Ohio. He is also receiving interest from Michigan State. While the two star corner seems to love the Pack, a commitment would likely not be accepted from him at this time. Becker is the top target and probably the lone corner that the Pack would take as things stand now. Smith could become a target if Becker decides to take his talents elsewhere. Last season, Smith was responsible for 65 tackles and 6 interceptions
Safety
Commits
Tim Glass 3 Star / 6’0 206 / Liberty Christian Academy, Danville, Virginia
Glass committed to the Pack last October over offers from Virginia, Cincinnati, Charlotte, and ECU. The Virginia native was beginning to garner interest from major powers like Florida State and Georgia before he chose State, so don’t let the short list of offers fool you. Despite the interest, the decision wasn’t a difficult one for Tim; he loved everything about NC State. He was the first and currently the only commit in 2016 from the state of Virginia.
Targets
Isaiah Stallings 3 Star / 6’4 200 / Terry Sanford, Fayetteville, North Carolina
Stallings is likely the lone remaining target for the Pack at safety, and if they miss, State would probably be content with just taking Tim Glass. The tall safety has plenty of offers, both local and far away, and has no real preference as far as distance from home. Some of those offers include South Carolina, Clemson, UNC, Duke, Ole Miss, and West Virginia. Stallings doesn’t really have an early leaders or plans to set a decision date, but thinks his choice will likely be made later on in the process instead of this summer. Stallings has acknowledged the fact that he and his Terry Sanford teammate Mark Gilbert would enjoy playing together in college, but it is definitely not the be-all end-all for him. Being able to land Gilbert would’ve helped the Pack, but instead it’s Duke that gets to carry that advantage into Stallings’ recruitment.