NC State’s push for one of the nation’s top big men took a hit when four-star center Jaydn Jenkins backed out of his planned official visit to Raleigh.
Jenkins, a 6-foot-10, 220-pound standout in the 2027 class, had trimmed his list to five schools just a month ago, with the Wolfpack among the finalists alongside Michigan State, Xavier, Ohio State and Georgetown. He had been set to make his case to NC State, but that stop is no longer on the schedule.
The change comes after Jenkins visited Xavier this past weekend. He already came off a visit to Xavier and still has trips remaining to Michigan State, Georgetown and Ohio State.
Jenkins is one of the most sought-after prospects in the country and is viewed as one of the best players regardless of position. The rankings back that up: 247Sports has him at No. 42 overall, No. 6 among centers in the 2027 class and No. 1 in Pennsylvania. ESPN lists him at No. 45 nationally and No. 1 in Pennsylvania, while Rivals has him at No. 59 overall and also No. 1 in the state.
For NC State, the focus now shifts to other targets after losing Jenkins from the visit list. The Wolfpack currently have one commitment in the 2027 class: Jamil Robinson, who was unranked when NC State offered him in June and has since been elevated to a three-star big man.
The Pack are also still involved with a pair of four-star prospects who were on campus this past weekend. Ian Condon is one name NC State is working on, and he is also set to visit Florida. Mekhi Alle was there too, and the Wolfpack have already extended an offer to him.
In Other News...
NC States Opener Exposed One Troubling Split On Offense
NC States season opener offered an early look at where the offense looked steady and where it still needs work, and the PFF grades told a pretty clear story. Will Wilson earned the top overall mark even with limited snaps, which at least gives the Wolfpack something encouraging to build around, while the offensive line held up well in pass protection and gave the quarterback a cleaner night than the run game got.
The more troubling part was the split elsewhere on the field. The receivers and tight ends did not grade out nearly as well, and the tight end group in particular showed a sharp drop from last seasons level. For an offense that wants balance, that kind of divide matters, because the protection looked usable but the supporting cast in the passing game did not consistently match it. [Read more 🡒]
NC States Virginia Loss Revealed Which Newcomers Could Actually Matter
NC States loss at Virginia still offered a useful early look at some newcomers who may end up meaning something down the line. Jackson Waller handled the punting duties and showed enough leg strength to change field position, while Victor Snow and King Mack were involved on the back end and in the passing game, giving the staff a first chance to see how those pieces fit when the pace gets real.
The defensive side of the debut list was just as encouraging for a team trying to sort out its depth. Mack, Dyson III and Aguirre all showed up in the tackle column, and Aguirre left with a strong impression after speaking afterward about his trust in the coaching staff despite the outcome. For a Wolfpack team looking for answers beyond the headline result, the trip to Charlottesville at least revealed a few players who might deserve a longer look. [Read more 🡒]
NC States Reset Game Suddenly Comes With More Pressure
NC States reset game already carried some weight after a poor offensive showing against Virginia, but the margin for error looks a little smaller now. Richmond comes in with real momentum, fresh off a strong win over Bucknell, and the Spiders have climbed into the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll, which gives this matchup a different feel than the usual tune-up against a lower-division opponent.
For the Wolfpack, this is more than just a chance to get right before the schedule tightens. It is an important test for an offense looking to find rhythm and a defense trying to sharpen itself before the next stretch of challenges. With an FCS opponent arriving after proving it can handle business, NC State has a meaningful opportunity to show that last week was an outlier rather than a warning sign. [Read more 🡒]