Wolfpack Adds Top Tackle to Continue In-State Haul

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Wolfpack Adds Top Tackle to Continue In-State Haul

By Sammy Batten

Jan 22, 2008

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All five major in-state football programs made significant additions to their recruiting classes last weekend, but it was the N.C. State Wolfpack that made the biggest scores.

Second-year head coach Tom O’Brien continued building one of the best recruiting classes in recent Wolfpack history by landing an oral commitment from Concord offensive lineman R.J. Mattes and junior college defensive end Shea McKeen.

Mattes, who attends Jay M. Robinson High School, is rated among the nation’s top 21 offensive tackle prospects by the two major recruiting networks. Scout.com calls Mattes the nation’s 11th-best offensive tackle prospect and Rivals.com rates him No. 21.

Mattes, a 6-foot-6, 260-pounder, represented another huge in-state coup for O’Brien, whose 2008 recruiting class now features four of the state’s top-15 ranked players and 11 North Carolinians overall.

A strong relationship between Mattes, his father, former Virginia All-American Ron Mattes, and O’Brien helped seal the deal for the Wolfpack.

Ron Mattes has had a long friendship with O’Brien, who was an assistant coach at Virginia for many years under George Welsh.

“As far back as when I was in the sixth grade I can remember my Dad calling and talking to Coach O’Brien,’’ R.J. Mattes said. “So I knew about what kind of coach he is, and how he cares about his players.

“Then, when he was here for an in-home visit last Wednesday, he showed me the numbers about the offensive linemen he’s put in the NFL. That is my ultimate goal. I know I’ve got a lot of work to do to get there, but I believe Coach O’Brien can get me there.’’

Mattes chose the Wolfpack over a final list of suitors that included Clemson , North Carolina , South Carolina and Virginia .

Like Mattes, McSheen was one of the nation’s top recruits back in 2005 out of Mays Landing, N.J. He signed with South Carolina over offers from Florida , Miami , Michigan State, North Carolina and Purdue. But the 6-4, 270-pounder wound up leaving the Southeastern Conference school after being arrested for his involvement in a fight prior to his freshman year.

McSheen transferred to Nassau Community College in Garden City, N.Y., where this past season he earned All-Northeast Football League honors. He had 42 tackles, 17 tackles for losses and four sacks.

“They’ve ( N.C. State ) been on him the whole time along with every other major school in the ACC and SEC,’’ said Nassau ’s assistant head coach Joe Osovet. “Every coach who walked through the door wanted to know who our defensive end was.

“He’s a great pass rusher. He’s one of those defensive ends who can play both the pass and run really well. He really doesn’t have a weakness. He has a high motor and is a great leader.’’

The commitments from Mattes and McSheen give the Wolfpack 21 in its class.

UNC adds swift corner

North Carolina ’s weekend recruiting efforts landed speedy cornerback Alfonzo Dennard from Rochelle , Ga.

The 5-10 Dennard has been a two-way star and four-year starter at Wilcox County High School . He made 70 tackles and had four interceptions as a senior, according to Wilcox County coach Mark Ledford.

“What everybody likes about him is his athletic ability,” Ledford said. “He’s run a 4.4 (40-yard dash). He weighs 190 pounds. He has a 36-inch vertical jump. I think it’s more than that if there’s a ball in the air.’’

Clemson , Alabama - Birmingham , Purdue and Troy had also offered Dennard a scholarship.

Dennard was also a big-play maker for Wilcox County on offense. He had a 30-yard touchdown catch in the Class A semifinals and snared a 71-yarder in the state finals. In December, during the Georgia North-South All-Star game, Dennard hauled in a 44-yard touchdown pass.

But it’s at cornerback, where the Tar Heels have already signed junior college transfer Melvin Williams, that Dennard is expected to play next fall.

Big receiver picks Pirates

Dayon Arrington, a 6-3, 200-pound wide out who played this year at Hargrave Military Academy in Virginia , has joined the East Carolina recruiting class.

Arrington decided on the Pirates over offers from Kent and Virginia after making an official visit to Greenville on Jan. 11.

A graduate of Paint Branch High School in Burtonsville , Md. , Arrington caught 49 passes for 1,008 yards and nine touchdowns as a senior.

Wake Forest gained its 16th commitment from 6-6, 265-pound offensive lineman Steve Chase from Frederick, Md. Chase, who just turned 17, picked the Deacons over offers from Delaware , Richmond and Villanova.

Duke scored its second commitment for new head coach David Cutliffe from 6-5, 245-pound offensive lineman Connor Irwin from Knoxville , Tenn. Irwin was being recruited mainly by Ivy League schools.

Veteran reporter Sammy Batten covers college football recruiting for the Fayetteville Obsever. He can be reached at battens@fayobserver.com or (910) 486-3534.

Most Recent Comments

You lumped ECU in the same sentence as Wake?

Well the truth of it is this: You cannot win without getting the top talent. In the country or the state. Amato for too long ignored players from North Carolina, he was too busy getting Fla players. The truth of it is, the best players State has had the last 7 years have not been from Florida. There is talent in this state, look at ECU and Wake. Most of their roster is NC players. So good job TOB.

Go 'Pack!!!

I'm always amused by scouts who say this or that guy is the "12th best" whatever in the country. The time for evaluating recruits is a few years down the road, when they have actually performed at the college level.

In the meantime, it does give hope to fans who dream of future championships. We are easily entertained.

Approved comments bite!

I'm getting giddy!

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