NC State Football Recruiting: 2013 Class Ranks 66th

Despite having a winning record and being bowl eligible in the last three years under Tom O’Brien, North Carolina State University felt a change was necessary. So, they canned O’Brien and brought in a young and fresh face that is rising in the college football coaching circle: Dave Doeren.

Dec 31, 2012; Nashville, TN, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack mascot performs in a game against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half of the Music City Bowl at LP Field. The Commodores beat the Wolfpack 38-24. Mandatory credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

23-4 is his overall record as a head coach (two seasons at Northern Illinois) and is 1-1 in bowl game appearances. However, stepping into a program this late in the recruiting process put Doeren and staff into a bind to get a recruiting class established for 2013.

Doeren’s first task was to meet/talk to all of the current recruits that had committed or were targeted by the Wolfpack under the reigns of O’Brien. Then, with limited time left Doeren had to seek his own recruits in just a few short weeks.

Just last week Johnathan Alston committed to the Wolfpack over in-state rivals North Carolina. The 6-3, 200 pound wide receiver out of Bunn, North Carolina has been heavily recruited by in-state schools.

Headlining the Wolfpack Recruiting Class of 2013 is Sean Paul. No, not the rapper. A four star, 5-11, and 180 pound cornerback from Vero Beach, Florida. He chose the Wolfpack over Wake Forest, Cincinnati, Iowa State, Louisville, and Central Florida.

Another key addition for the Wolfpack is class of 2011 quarterback Jacoby Brissett. Brissett is transferring from the Florida Gators to Raleigh. Brissett was recruited by Doeren when he was an assistant at Wisconsin. Brissett will not be eligible to play for NC State this year, but will be next season. With Mike Glennon graduating, the need for a quality quarterback is huge and Brissett come 2014, will be that answer.

With the roster pretty much set for Doeren’s first season, North Carolina State’s 2013 class ranks 66th overall in the national according to ESPN. Not a bad start for Doeren.