Building NC State football’s ideal, realistic dream 2027 class

By Noah Fleischman

The dead period is over. NC State’s coaching and recruiting staff has turned its full attention to the class of 2027 with a critical spring period of visits coming up. 

As of now, the Wolfpack boasts four commitments in the cycle, headlined by legacy four-star quarterback Gunner Rivers. Dave Doeren’s current recruiting crop ranks as the No. 19 overall group in the country going into the spring visit period. 

For the sake of this drill, the “dream class” will consist of one player at each position that both NC State and the recruit have shown mutual interest, creating a realistic outcome of what could happen by December’s signing day. 

Note: At positions with multiple players being taken, any current commit isn’t listed in those spots. Quarterback is a different story with the Wolfpack likely only bringing in one signal-caller in this cycle.

Quarterback

Fairhope (Ala.) St. Michael four-star Gunner Rivers: The legacy prospect — son of Wolfpack legend Philip Rivers — was at the top of NC State’s recruiting board, regardless of position. Doeren and his staff, led by offensive coordinator Kurt Roper, made the signal-caller a priority on the recruiting trail. The Pack’s persistence worked with Rivers becoming the quarterback of the future.

Running back

Columbia (S.C.) Irmo three-star Tai Phillips: One of the prospects that shot up NC State’s recruiting board at camps last summer following a blazing 4.4 40-yard dash, Phillips is near the top of the Wolfpack’s wish list going into the spring. He has offers from Alabama and Ohio State, but NC State is going to push to be in this one for the long haul. The interest is mutual after he’s made four visits to Raleigh already in his recruitment.

Already committed: Southeast Raleigh (N.C.) three-star Christian Freeman

Wide receiver

Southern Durham (N.C.) three-star Jonathan Dillon: A frequent visitor to NC State recruiting events over the past couple of years, Dillon is among the Pack’s top targets at wide receiver. He has a strong relationship with Joker Phillips, which has been helpful in his recruitment. Duke is among the top competitors in the process, but NC State appears to be well positioned with the No. 18 prospect in the state going into the spring.

Tight end

Marietta (Ga.) Walton CJ Jordan II: The 6-foot-7, 235-pound recruit has become one of the Wolfpack’s more-coveted tight ends in the class. The Wolfpack has visited him multiple times, including a trip from Doeren this past January. Although he’s unranked, Jordan has the build to be an intriguing player at the collegiate level. He appears to be heavily considering NC State in the process, especially with his tight-knit bond with assistant Gavin Locklear.

Already committed: Raleigh (N.C.) Cardinal Gibbons three-star Griffin Cockerham

Offensive line

Perrysburg (Ohio) three-star Reed Gerken: He’s one of the most pursued prospects in the Midwest, including official visits to Kentucky and Wisconsin, but NC State has been able to make headwinds with Gerken. The offensive lineman will be on campus for an official visit May 8-10, a clear chance for the Wolfpack to separate itself from the field in this recruitment with the No. 16 player in the state of Ohio. 

Defensive tackle

Saint Pauls (N.C.) three-star Antwan McKoy: One of the more rapidly rising prospects in the state, McKoy has earned offers from the likes of Georgia, Miami, South Carolina and Ole Miss. NC State has made McKoy feel special throughout the recruitment, showing him he has a chance to get on the field early in his collegiate career. Finding a way to keep McKoy home will be critical for the Pack, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility at this stage of his recruitment.

EDGE

Baltimore McDonough School four-star Joseph Buchanan: NC State recently entered the mix with the No. 183 overall prospect nationally, and the Wolfpack has already become a true contender. He likes the relationship that he’s built with defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot, who has developed edge rushers like him in the past. Buchanan wants to be an elite pass rusher at the collegiate level, and he sees himself being able to do that at NC State. The top prospect will be on campus twice over the next couple months, for a spring practice and an official visit. 

Linebacker

Lincolnton (N.C.) four-star Jalaythan Mayfield: The nation’s No. 92 overall prospect in the class of 2027 didn’t include NC State in his top five, but will make a spring practice visit later this week. The Wolfpack will continue to be persistent with the No. 6 recruit in the state, looking to get him on campus for a possible official visit this summer. While it’s not going to be an easy recruitment to win, NC State will be in the fight until the end. 

Cornerback

Clayton (N.C.) three-star AK Crumel: One of the recruits that NC State has been on the longest in the 2027 cycle, Crumel appears to be set to stay home for his college career. UNC and NC State are the two programs leading the way with the No. 16 prospect in the state. Crumel has been on the Wolfpack’s campus at least a half dozen times to this point. His official visit is set for May 1.

Safety

Southern Durham (N.C.) three-star Lance Henderson: Another prospect NC State has recruited for a while, Henderson is commonly seen around Wolfpack recruiting events. He will be on campus for an official visit May 8-10. Other programs in the mix are Duke, Rutgers and Virginia Tech, but the Wolfpack appears to be his leader at this stage of his recruitment.

Already committed: Homerville (Ga.) Clinch County three-star safety Kamarion Johnson