N.C. State Thrilled with Football Recruiting Class

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N.C. State Thrilled with Football Recruiting Class

By Taylor Auten

Feb 4, 2008

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With signing day just two days away, coach Tom O’Brien and staff are looking to round out a class that already includes 24 commitments. N.C. State recruiting coordinator Jerry Petercuskie said it was critical that State address some depth at certain positions with the staff’s first true class.

“It’s very important to fill our needs,” Petercuskie said. “We have 85 scholarships, and people think that’s a lot. But that’s a lot less than it used to be back in the old days. Coach O’Brien does a great job in relation to filling our needs. He’ll look two to three years down the road to the number of players at each position and the number of players we need to recruit at each position.”

O’Brien wasted no time with addressing one of State’s biggest needs — the offensive line. Already, N.C. State has received commitments from five offensive linemen, including R.J. Mattes out of Concord Robinson. Mattes, listed at 6 feet 6 and 260 pounds, is considered to be the No. 11 offensive tackle prospect in the nation according to Scout.com

Of the 24 players that have committed to N.C. State, 10 are from the state of North Carolina. Petercuskie said recruiting North Carolina is one of O’Brien’s top priorities.

“Coach O’Brien has made it very clear that he wants to recruit the state of North Carolina first and foremost, end of story,” Petercuskie said. “That’s what we’ve done, and I think we’ve done a pretty good job with that.”

Linebacker Terrell Manning (Laurinburg), running back Brandon Barnes (Bunn) and Offensive Tackle R.J. Mattes (Concord) are considered among the nation’s best prospects for their respective positions.

T.J. Graham, a wide receiver from Wakefield High School, is another local commitment for the Wolfpack. Graham said he had been an N.C. State fan since he was 8 years old, but he rethought his allegiance when Chuck Amato left. However, a meeting with offensive coordinator Dana Bible changed his mind.

“He kind of told me what the plan was,” Graham said. “It was the best thing I’ve ever heard. They are going to win national championships at N.C. State, so why would I miss out on this.”

Maybe the biggest headliner of the class is Mike Glennon of Chantilly, Va. Glennon, the No. 5 quarterback in the class of 2008 according to Scout.com, committed to N.C. State last summer over offers from Florida State, Miami and Michigan among others.

Graham participated in drills with Glennon at Senior Day in Carter-Finley Stadium, and he said he was impressed with Glennon’s ability.

“I was kind of amazed that he could throw the way he did as a high school quarterback,” Graham said. “As a college quarterback, he’s going to be better than Matt Ryan. When his day comes, he’s going to be really good.”

When Graham met Glennon, the N.C. State coaching staff was still recruiting several other quarterbacks in the class of 2008. He said there was no question, however, as to who was the No. 1 guy.

“[Mike Glennon] is there beside Jacob Charest [committed to Illinois] and a lot of other great high school quarterbacks,” Graham said. “By watching Mike amongst them, it made me wonder if those guys were good at all. That’s how good Mike was playing that day, let’s leave it at that.”

National signing day is Wednesday. With only a handful of scholarships left, O’Brien will look to improve on an already solid class with signing day decisions from Defensive End Leon Mackey of Hargrave Military Academy and several others.

Whatever happens, Graham is sure he knows what this class is destined for.

“I think our class is the best class in the ACC, hands down,” Graham said. “We don’t have to have five-star guys. We can get a good class across the board. It’s shaping up to be really good. As soon as we start getting playing time and getting experience, we’ll be on our way.”

Most Recent Comments

I always keep remembering that Chuck beat this coach.

A last second hail mary type TC doesn't count. Trust me when I say we are much better off with TOB than we ever would have been with Chuck.

they forgot to tell him that the championships wont be won in football

I love NCSU and the football program. Have been burned so many times believing all the hype of the pre-season and all the build up. Hope this is something that I will be able to see come September. I always keep remembering that Chuck beat this coach.

And as long as the top players are drinking that same koolaid (and therefore coming to State), I think we'll be just fine and dandy!!!

"Though, are they still drinking the kool aid regarding national championships in football at State?"

Absolutely!!!

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