NC State preparing for big recruiting weekend

Today is the last big recruiting event for NC State until the season (and official visits) begin. The "cookout" will have some of the top remaining targets on the Wolfpack's board as well as a few commitments. While the list of visitors has been fluid for weeks, we know of a few visitors, as well as some who are already on campus. There has also been some movement with 2017 prospects as of late. The worst news of recent weeks has been the decommitment of one of the top 2016 pledges after he took a few visits.

BAD NEWS FIRST

The 2015 recruiting class took a huge hit when high three star defensive tackle Kobe Smith decided to open up his recruitment after a quiet visit to Kentucky. It is not a huge surprise to see Smith part ways with the Pack, but it is after a visit to a school like Kentucky when other, bigger SEC offers didn't grab his attention. Smith and James Valdez were seen as the two cornerstones to the class, as well as both being close friends with top target Donta Evans, so this is a huge loss. However, if State can manage to land consensus top 10 national prospect Dexter Lawrence at defensive tackle, all will be forgotten.

LAST HURRAH

As stated earlier, several of the biggest remaining targets for Dave Doeren and staff are descending upon Raleigh today. Several targets visited on Thursday, including corner Henry Miller, linebacker Brock Miller (both from Florida, not related), and NC linebacker Jonathan Smith. Both Millers have shown solid interest in State, but one would be hard-pressed to say the Pack lead for either. Smith was a surprise, has he has not had the Pack in his top group throughout the recruiting process. Brock Miller is likely to pick Virginia Tech (maybe even this weekend) and Smith seems to favor Duke, Carolina, and Michigan.

I'm loving it in Raleigh

— Whoudini Me (@_HJMII) July 23, 2015

Nc State visit pic.twitter.com/HKG5JVhu8d

— Brock Miller (@brockmiller5) July 23, 2015

Others expected to visit for the camp include lineman Patrick Kearns and receiver Divine Deablo. Kearns is actually less likely to make it, as it appears he is closing in on a commitment to Virginia Tech this weekend. Deablo had State as a leader back in May but seems to be favoring both the Hokies and Tar Heels since. A solid visit could vault the Pack back into the lead for the highly talented wideout. A few other targets could show up, as well as some commitments of course. There is always a chance that State could pull a commitment or two out of the event.

2017 UPDATES

It is obviously early for rising juniors in the recruiting process, but Doeren and Co. are quickly prioritizing quarterbacks. When one of the top targets Jake Allen committed to Florida, it helped show what other targets the coaches had in mind. They are reaching for the sky with strong mutual interest between the Wolfpack and Hunter Johnson of Indiana and Davis Mills of Georgia, both potential five stars. There is a lot of work to be done there, but both could make return visits fairly soon.

Other options are longtime offer Alex Faniel, a good-sized QB from Virginia; Todd Centeio who was at one time a Miami commitment; and new offer Jairus Grissom from Michigan. Centeio may have been in Raleigh on Thursday based on his pro-Pack tweets. NC State was Grissom's first offer after his visit the other week and stands strong with him early.