NC State is still in the hunt for one of the country’s most coveted young big men.
Four-star center Jadyn Jenkins has trimmed his list to five schools, and the Wolfpack made the cut alongside Michigan State, Xavier, Ohio State, and Georgetown. For Justin Gainey and his staff, that keeps NC State squarely in the conversation for a prospect who has drawn heavy attention across the 2027 class.
Jenkins, listed at 6-foot-10 and 220 pounds, has quickly built a reputation as one of the premier frontcourt recruits in the country. He’s not just a big body in the lane, either. His length, mobility, and upside have pushed him into the top tier of national recruiting boards and made him a target for programs with serious frontcourt ambitions.
The Wolfpack offered Jenkins on July 2, and just a few weeks later, they’re still very much alive in the race. That alone says plenty about where NC State stands after the first wave of evaluation.
The competition is steep. Michigan State, led by Tom Izzo, has long been one of the sport’s most aggressive recruiting powers. Ohio State, Georgetown, and Xavier have also stayed locked in on Jenkins throughout the process, which makes this a real heavyweight battle.
Jenkins already has official visits lined up with all five finalists, and NC State will get the last shot to make its case. His trip to Raleigh is scheduled for October 2.
The rankings back up the buzz. According to 247Sports, Jenkins is the No. 42 overall player nationally, the No. 6 center in the 2027 class, and the No. 1 player in Pennsylvania. Other major recruiting services have him in a similar range, with Jenkins consistently landing among the nation’s Top 60 prospects and standing as the top player in Pennsylvania.
For NC State, making the final five is an important step. The Wolfpack still has work to do, but it has positioned itself for a real run at one of the most sought-after big men in the cycle.
In Other News...
NC State Just Won A Huge In-State Battle For Its Secondary
After years of tracking Akedran Crumel, NC State finally got the Clayton, N.C., cornerback to end his recruiting process and choose the Wolfpack. Crumel had plenty of options along the way, with more than 20 scholarship offers on the table, but the push from cornerbacks coach Brian Mitchell and head coach Dave Doeren kept NC State in the middle of the race all the way through.
For a secondary that always has to keep an eye on the future, the fit makes sense for the Wolfpack. Crumel said he is excited about the opportunity and expects to get a chance to contribute early in his college career, and he also noted that NC State took only one cornerback in this class, making his arrival even more significant for the position group. [Read more 🡒]