Building NC State’s mock 2027 football recruiting class

By Noah Fleischman

It’s that time of the year again. NC State is set to begin its official visit schedule this weekend, earlier than usual, but the Wolfpack will spend the next month and a half pitching priority recruits on why they should choose Dave Doeren’s program.

But before the first batch of recruits show up for their official visits, which will begin Friday at the Murphy Center, let’s project TheWolfpacker.com’s first full mock class of the 2027 recruiting cycle.

Quarterback

Fairhope (Ala.) St. Michael four-star Gunner Rivers (commit): 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. Rivers is set to be on campus next weekend for his official visit. 

Running back

Southeast Raleigh three-star Christian Freeman (commit): The first pledge of the class, Freeman has been firmly a part of the Wolfpack since he chose it on July 4, 2025. Freeman will take his official visit to NC State next weekend to be a part of the Wolfpack’s key recruiting weekend to look to add more players to the 2027 class. The tailback has a strong bond with the Pack’s coaching staff, including Doeren and running backs coach Todd Goebbel.

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 — he’s made four visits to Raleigh already and has an official visit scheduled for this weekend.

Wide receiver

Southern Durham 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. 19 prospect in the state going into the spring.

Tight end

Raleigh Cardinal Gibbons three-star Griffin Cockerham (commit): Cockerham grew up as a NC State fan, and he made sure to join the program as soon as he could when he did so back in September. The two-way player will be a tight end at the collegiate level. He posted 3 receptions for 20 yards and 1 touchdown on offense while he logged 54 tackles, 14 stops for a loss and 10.5 sacks as a defensive end this past fall. Cockerham will take his official visit this weekend to look to get others in the fold with him.

Marietta (Ga.) Walton CJ Jordan II (commit): The 6-foot-7, 235-pound recruit was one of the Wolfpack’s more coveted tight ends in the class. The Wolfpack 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 committed to NC State and has a tight-knit bond with assistant Gavin Locklear.

Offensive tackle

Chillicothe (Ohio) three-star Conner Rutherford: NC State has been in pursuit of the coveted offensive tackle over the past year, including becoming his first-ever college visit last spring on an unofficial. Pack assistant Garett Tujague has been critical in Rutherford’s recruitment, and his spring practice visit was also helpful. NC State remains his lone official, at the moment, scheduled for June 5. 

Gainesville (Ga.) three-star Bryson Hurt: The Peach State tackle prospect has been a priority for Tujague for more than a year. NC State has made positive strides with Hurt, including an in-home visit from Tujague and a visit by Doeren at one of his workouts. In-state Georgia Tech will be tough to overcome, but the Wolfpack has done everything right so far.

Interior offensive line

Columbus (Ga.) Carver three-star Tre Warren III: NC State made the cut for Warren in his top five, joined by Auburn, Kentucky, Mississippi State and Louisville, and has done well in his recruitment to this point. Kentucky is the team to beat, but Tujague has the ability to overcome that and will be able to put that on display during Warren’s first official visit of the cycle next weekend.

Springfield (Ga.) Effingham County three-star Jordan Dillon: The Wolfpack surged towards the top of Dillon’s recruitment over the spring. He’s been on campus multiple times, which has been critical in his decision-making process. Dillon will take his official visit to NC State on June 5.

Defensive line 

Charlotte (N.C.) Corvian Community four-star Nate Kamba: NC State has made the nation’s No. 241 overall recruit one of its top priorities in the cycle. He has consistently interested the Wolfpack, making several visits to campus to see the staff and facilities. Kamba is currently set to take an official visit to Raleigh next weekend. Auburn, Georgia, Ohio State and South Carolina are the stiff competition for Kamba.

Dunnellon (Fla.) four-star Kaiden Robinson-Vickers: Wolfpack assistant Elisha Shaw has led the charge in courting Robinson-Vickers, who will officially visit the program this weekend. He has a laundry list of offers, but NC State continues to make headway with him. Robinson-Vickers logged 43 stops, 13.5 tackles for a loss and 7 sacks as a junior this past fall. Duke, UNC, Mississippi State and UCF are the Pack’s stiffest competition in trying to land Robinson-Vickers.

EDGE

Harrells (N.C.) Christian three-star Amir Moore: One of the top emerging prospects in the region, Moore is an in-state prospect that NC State has prioritized along the defensive line. He has offers from the likes of Georgia and South Carolina, but Florida and NC State are setting the pace. The Pack’s coaching staff has made the difference in this one with the 6-foot-7, 265-pound prospect, allowing the program to be in a positive position to land him. Moore will officially visit NC State June 12.

East Orange (N.J.) three-star Esa Wittingburg: NC State defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot has a knack for recruiting talent in the Northeast. He pulled four players in the 2026 cycle, and it seems like he’s working his magic once again. Wittingburg has liked everything Eliot has done to this point, which has positioned the Wolfpack in a prime position to land his services. The EDGE is set to be on campus this weekend for an official visit.

Linebacker

Lawrenceville (Ga.) North Gwinnett three-star Jake Godfree: The Peach State defender has racked up more than 40 offers over the past two years, and NC State jumped into the mix a year ago. The Wolfpack recently hosted Godfree for a junior day, and he is scheduled to be back on campus for his official visit June 5. He notched 141 tackles, 18 stops for a loss and 8 sacks this past season.

Kennesaw (Ga.) Harrison three-star Olrick Johnson III: NC State extended an offer to Johnson in March, and he’s already set an official visit to see the Wolfpack June 12. He is set to see UConn May 29 and Cincinnati June 21. Johnson logged 100 tackles, 14.5 stops for a loss and 12.5 sacks as a junior. 

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. 17 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 this weekend.

Safety

Lilburn (Ga.) Parkview four-star KJ Caldwell: The nation’s No. 98 overall recruit visited NC State for the first time on a junior day earlier this year, and it quickly vaulted the Wolfpack to the top of his list. The program has him at the top of the list on the safety board, and it would be an impactful addition to be able to reel him in. At this moment, it appears that the Pack is positioned to land the Peach State defensive back with co-defensive coordinator Charlton Warren leading the recruitment.

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. 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.