New NC State Football OC Catches Up With 2026 Quarterback
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Reagan High School (N.C.) junior quarterback Jacob Smith has been on board as a future NC State football player since August. In fact, the 6-foot-1, 205-pound three-star was the first 2026 prep to pledge allegiance to the Wolfpack.
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And at the time of Smith's commitment, NC State quarterbacks coach Kurt Roper had already played a critical part in his recruitment, naturally.
But now that Roper is preparing for his first season with the role of offensive coordinator added to his Wolfpack duties, not to mention the fact that early signing day on the 2026 trail is still about 11 months away, it makes sense that the 52-year-old decided to check in on Smith via an in-home visit on Tuesday night.
"Appreciate Coach Roper for stopping by!" Smith noted in the following post on social media. "Go pack!!"
Appreciate Coach Roper for stopping by! Go pack!! 🐺🐺 @CoachKurtRoper @InsidePackSport @PackPride @PackFootball pic.twitter.com/EmdyZMoCsJ
— Jacob Smith (@jacobsmith510) January 22, 2025
After sitting out the bulk of his junior campaign due to a torn ACL, Jacob Smith currently stacks up at No. 714 overall, No. 66 among quarterbacks, and No. 26 in North Carolina on the 247Sports 2026 Composite.
🚨 GAME WINNER for @RaidersFB @jacobsmith510 finds @mccraejayden1 for the GO AHEAD TD with 20 seconds left to defeat Mooresville 34-28💥‼️ pic.twitter.com/soxadYyq6n
— Game of Inches-High School Sports (@GameofInchesHSS) August 31, 2024
Meanwhile, Trinity Episcopal School (Va.) three-star offensive tackle Brady Sakowitz, checking in at No. 688 overall, No. 52 at his position, and No. 14 among Virginia prospects in the class, is the only other early 2026 NC State football pledge thus far. The 6-foot-6, 295-pounder announced his commitment to Dave Doeren & Co. back in October.
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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.
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