NC State Football Makes Another Move in Lincoln Watkins Race
In this story:
Just a few weeks after landing an NC State football offer, Port Huron Northern High School (Mich.) junior tight end Lincoln Watkins has already made plans to visit Raleigh and, most recently, welcomed a Wolfpack suitor into his home.
ALSO READ: New NC State Offensive Coordinator Catches Up With 2026 Quarterback
On Wednesday morning, Watkins reported the in-home visit via the following posted photo on social media, thanking recently promoted NC State football tight ends coach Gavin Locklear, his lead recruiter, for making the trip to Michigan to spend time with him and his family:
So many blessings in this life, thank you
— Lincoln Watkins 4✰ (@LinkWatkins2026) January 22, 2025
so much for coming up to spend time with my family and I coach. @CoachGLocklear
-
-
-
-@StateCoachD @SMcCourt12 @PackFootball @RisingStars6 @FballPhn @AllenTrieu @SWiltfong_ @Birm @GregSmithRivals pic.twitter.com/DGZBsv2o1N
Nebraska tight ends coach Marcus Satterfield also visited him this week.
The 6-foot-4, 230-pound Watkins, whose offer sheet has expanded to almost 30 deep, appears as a top-tier three-star prospect on most sites. He currently checks in at No. 386 overall, No. 20 among tight ends, and No. 7 in Michigan on the 247Sports 2026 Composite.
Lincoln Watkins shined on both sides of the ball last season, totaling 39 catches for 668 yards, 39 carries for 245 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 42 tackles. And it's worth pointing out that he recorded a first down on 72 of his 78 touches.
Megatron like stuff on a weekly basis! 👀 https://t.co/15JZYvaQVn pic.twitter.com/My8EACMxdX
— CoachFletch (@fletch_09) October 5, 2024
NC State football head coach Dave Doeren and his cohorts enjoy two early 2026 pledges in Trinity Episcopal School (Va.) three-star offensive tackle Brady Sakowitz and Reagan High School (N.C.) three-star quarterback Jacob Smith.
ALSO READ: NC State Staff Officially Targets Four-Star 2026 Defensive Back in Miami
Stay tuned to NC State Wolfpack On SI for more NC State football recruiting news.
Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of NC State Wolfpack on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining NC State Wolfpack on SI in 2024, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.
Follow MattGilesBD