Why NC State Has Real Momentum With 2027 Recruits
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RALEIGH — While the 2026 season is far away and NC State's current players are getting some relief from the grind of spring practices and summer training, the program's staff is hard at work building for the future beyond the next campaign. Over the last two weeks, the coaches have been making trips around the country and hosting numerous 2027 recruits for official visits.
The Wolfpack typically focuses on three-star recruits and keeping local talent home, something that won't change with the 2027 class. However, the program has some more momentum with this group of recruits in particular, for a few different reasons. What are they?
A key member of the class
🚨BREAKING🚨 4-star QB Gunner Rivers has committed to NC State🐺
— Rivals (@Rivals) February 23, 2026
Gunner is the son of 8x Pro Bowler Philip Rivers.
Read: https://t.co/GS9zEUbwYL pic.twitter.com/sC6Sxaotgs
In late February, NC State secured a massive legacy commitment from four-star quarterback Gunner Rivers, the son of program legend Philip Rivers. The younger Rivers is ready to forge his own path for the Wolfpack, hoping to return the team to the same heights it reached when his father was under center, but doing so without the pressures of his family name.
The Pack focused heavily on recruiting offensive players early in the cycle and added several marquee pass catchers in the class of 2026. It's easy to see why players on that side of the field might be more inclined to join the Wolfpack, as it's an opportunity to play with Rivers and potentially be a part of a new golden era for NC State football.
Solidified position coaches
Head coach Dave Doeren is the constant for the Wolfpack, but he's beginning to surround himself with position coaches and coordinators who appear to be in it for the long run with the program. That's something that should help greatly with recruiting, especially when those position coaches are younger and more aligned with the interests of high school recruits.
The prime examples of this development are tight end coach Gavin Locklear and inside linebackers coach Isaiah Moore, both former players within the NC State program who turned to coaching as a way to pay it back. Both young coaches have impressed on the recruiting trail over the past two years and continue to be important, as Moore helped secure three-star linebacker Jake Godfree, while Locklear had success during the 2026 cycle and added three-star tight end Griffin Cockerham.
Proof of development and playing time
In 2025, NC State dealt with some major roster turnover along with significant injuries at key positions. Those issues forced Doeren and his staff to turn to their younger players, including some true freshmen like safety Tristan Teasdell and offensive lineman Spike Sowells, to start down the stretch of the season.
After just a few games' worth of playing time, those players are in line for even larger roles during the 2026 season, offering proof of the developmental process to potential incoming recruits with a desire to play right away.
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Tucker Sennett graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in Sports Journalism from the esteemed Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. A former basketball player, he has gained valuable experience working at Cronkite News and brings a deep passion for sports and reporting to his role as the NC State Wolfpack Beat Writer On SI.
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