Priority NC State Football Target Suddenly Commits Elsewhere
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It's still somewhat early on the 2026 recruiting trail. But it's safe to say the NC State football staff hasn't prevailed as often as it would've liked to date in battles for the current crop of rising high school seniors.
ALSO READ: Four-Star Keshawn Stancil Picks Clemson Over NC State
Case in point, despite hosting The Bullis School (Md.) tight end Javonte Williams for an official visit just a few weeks ago and landing among his three finalists last week, the Wolfpack wound up watching the top-tier three-star pledge allegiance to the Maryland Terrapins instead on Tuesday afternoon.
Williams, whose third finalist was the Pitt Panthers, revealed his commitment to the Terrapins via the following post on social media:
First and foremost, I want to say thank you to the big man above. Without God, nothing is possible, and he's helped me a lot through my journey. I want to thank my friends, my family, my trainers, especially Miles,Torrey, Coach Ray, Coach Skyler, my mom, my dad, Chris, Cam,… pic.twitter.com/BPap1uxcRd
— 3 ⭐️TE Javonte Williams 2026 (@JJ_williams81) July 1, 2025
He checks in at No. 426 overall and No. 20 among tight ends on the 247Sports 2026 Composite.
After coming up short in its pursuit of Javonte Williams, who came off the board this week without announcing a decision date beforehand, the NC State football recruiting team has dropped to No. 71 overall in the 2026 cycle with its 12-deep haul. The Wolfpack collection, which now stacks up at No. 15 among the 17 programs in the ACC, consists entirely of three-star prospects.
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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