Wolfpack Picks Up Big Defensive Line Commitments
NC State football coach Dave Doeren has picked up two major additions to his 2020 recruiting class with the committments of consensus three-star defensive linemen Nick Booker-Brown and Claude Larkins Jr.
Booker-Brown, a 6-foot-1, 250-pound tackle from Hillside High School in Houston, Tex., announced his decision to play for the Wolfpack on his Twitter account this weekend. Larkins, a 6-4, 230-pound end from Chaminade-Madonna Prep in Hollywood, Fla., committed Sunday afternoon.
Their additions are an important development for the Wolfpack, especially in light of several recent unexpected departures on the defensive line and the graduation of All-ACC tackle Larrell Murchison, along with tackles James Smith-Williams and Deonte Holden.
Ends Jeffrey Gunter and Joseph Boletepeli both announced their intention to enter the NCAA transfer portal last week. A third lineman, Xavier Lyas, left before the end of the 2019 season.
Booker-Brown, a space eater who makes up for his lack of size with strength and a high-energy motor, originally committed to play at Boise State, but announced last Wednesday that he had decided to re-open his recruitment.
Larkins, who is described as an athletic pass rusher with an explosive first step and a large wingspan that allows him to disrupt passing lanes, originally committed to Minnesota, but decommitted in December.
They become the newest members of a rapidly improving 2020 class for Doeren and the Wolfpack.
Among the other players expected to sign National Letters of Intent with State during college football's traditional signing period, which begins on Feb. 5, are three-star offensive guard Anthony Carter Jr. of Matthews and three-star wide receiver Joshua Crabtree of Wake Forest.
