NC State Signs 26 on National Signing Day, Eyes Future Growth and Brazil Opener
National Signing Day brought a wave of new talent to Raleigh, as NC State officially signed 26 players to its 2026 recruiting class. Head coach Dave Doeren, now in his 12th year at the helm, emphasized the importance of finding the right fit - not just for football, but for life beyond the game.
“It’s a complete honor as a coach to be on the journey with these young men to help them achieve their dreams and goals,” Doeren said Wednesday. “Recruiting is a lot of things now more than it’s ever been, but to me, it’s about finding the right fit where you can grow into the best version of yourself.”
Class Rankings and Context
As of Wednesday afternoon, 247Sports slotted NC State’s 2026 class at No. 49 nationally and 14th among the 17 ACC programs. That might not turn heads on paper, but Doeren was quick to point out that rankings don’t always tell the full story.
“I think from a fan’s standpoint, you should care more about results than where we’re ranked,” he said. “As far as I know, UNC is ranked ahead of us in recruiting every year I’ve been here. Compare the records.”
The numbers back him up. Since Doeren took over in 2013, NC State holds a 94-70 overall record (51-55 in ACC play), while rival North Carolina sits at 85-81 (52-54 ACC).
The Wolfpack have also dominated the rivalry of late, winning five straight against the Tar Heels, including a convincing 42-19 win to close out the regular season. Doeren is now 9-4 all-time against UNC.
Key Additions and Notable Flips
One of the most talked-about signings was edge rusher Lawrence Brown out of Georgia, who flipped from UNC late in the process - a move that added a little extra fuel to the rivalry fire.
“Always great to have one of those,” Doeren said with a smile.
The class doesn’t feature any four- or five-star signees per 247Sports’ rankings, but Doeren remains confident in the group’s potential and how well they fit the program’s needs.
“This is a really good recruiting class,” he said. “We met all our needs, and there are some more guys you’ll see coming in that accentuate the class in a positive way.”
Among the highest-rated signees in the class are wide receivers Amiri Acker (Iva, SC) and Tyreek Copper (Kinston, NC), linebacker Zykir “Ziggy” Moore (Pittsburgh, PA), and safeties D’Various Surratt (Shelby, NC) and Koby Sarkodie (Gwynn Oak, MD).
The class also includes a mix of junior college talent and late flips. Josh Warren Jr., a JUCO edge rusher, brings immediate pass-rushing potential - something Doeren said was a major priority heading into this cycle.
“Josh is a really good pass rusher,” Doeren said. “Since last year, we’ve got to get pass rushers in this defense.”
Another late flip came from in-state linebacker Caleb Gordon, who had previously been committed to West Virginia.
Full List of Signees
Here’s the full list of the 26 players who signed with NC State:
- Safety Markel Aguirre (Locust Grove, GA)
- Tight End William “Tex” Vaughn (Kings Mountain, NC)
- Safety Tristen Hill (Suwanee, GA)
- Cornerback Jordyn Best (Columbia, SC)
- Wide Receiver Aiden Smalls (Clayton, NC)
- Linebacker Jordan Moreta (Paramus, NJ)
- Wide Receiver Jaire Richburg (Kernersville, NC)
- Running Back Dylan McCoy (Buford, GA)
- Running Back Noah Moss (Fairhope, AL)
- Defensive Lineman Carmelo McKenzie (Bradenton, FL)
- Cornerback Jordan Jackson (Winter Park, FL)
- Tight End/Athlete Stephen Brown (Chicago, IL)
- Offensive Tackle Brady Sakowitz (Richmond, VA)
- Offensive Guard Tre Aiken (Clinton, SC)
- Quarterback Jacob Smith (Pfafftown, NC)
- Edge Rusher JJ Ferguson Jr.
(St. Petersburg, FL)
- Safety/Nickelback Pluto Surratt (Shelby, NC)
- Running Back RJ Boyd (Waycross, GA)
- Outside Linebacker Lawrence Brown (Grayson, GA)
- Wide Receiver Amiri Acker (Iva, SC)
- Wide Receiver Tyreek Copper (Kinston, NC)
- Linebacker Zykir “Ziggy” Moore (Pittsburgh, PA)
- Safety D’Various Surratt (Shelby, NC)
- Safety Koby Sarkodie (Gwynn Oak, MD)
- Edge Rusher Josh Warren Jr. (JUCO)
- Linebacker Caleb Gordon (NC; flipped from West Virginia)
One of the more intriguing signees is quarterback Jacob Smith, who will also pitch for the NC State baseball team - continuing the Wolfpack’s trend of dual-sport athletes.
Looking Ahead: Brazil on the Horizon
Doeren also confirmed that he’s been discussing NC State’s 2026 season opener with recruits - and it’s not your typical Week 1 matchup. The Wolfpack are set to kick off the season in Brazil against Virginia, marking a rare international showcase for college football.
“What a great opportunity,” Doeren said. “I’ve been coaching 32 years of college football, and I’ve never been out of the country to coach a game.”
While the novelty of playing abroad is exciting, Doeren emphasized that player safety remains a top priority. Still, the chance to take the program global is something he and athletics director Boo Corrigan didn’t hesitate to embrace.
“[Boo] was excited about it, just like I was. That was a short conversation.
‘Hey, do you want to play in Brazil?’ ‘Hell yes.’”
What’s Next
NC State wrapped up the 2025 regular season with a 7-5 record and now awaits its bowl destination, which will be announced on Sunday. In the meantime, the recruiting class is expected to grow, with the possibility of adding multiple quarterbacks and more depth in key areas.
For Doeren and the Wolfpack, the focus remains on development, fit, and building a roster that can compete year in and year out - regardless of where the recruiting rankings fall.
And if recent history is any indication, NC State fans have plenty of reason to believe in the process.