Wolfpack Offers Lightning-Fast Edge Rusher From Alabama

Dave Doeren and the Wolfpack continue to target some of the top prospects in the 2027 class.

Oct 4, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; NC State Wolfpack defensive end Tra Thomas (4) and linebacker Jr. Kenny Soares (33) celebrate a tackle during the first half of the game against Campbell Fighting Camels at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images | Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

The 2027 college football recruiting cycle is in full swing, and as it continues to heat up, NC State head coach Dave Doeren and his staff aren’t shying away from pursuing some of the nation’s top prospects. 

Over the past few months, Doeren and company have extended offers to several talented 2027 recruits, most recently targeting a four-star EDGE from Alabama and a top-300 overall player in the class.

Wolfpack Extends Offer to 4-Star 2027 EDGE

On Feb. 19, NC State extended an offer to Ba’Roc Willis, a four-star EDGE from Pell City High School in Pell City, Alabama. He announced the offer on X, writing, “AGTG Blessed to receive an offer from North Carolina State University.”

#AGTG Blessed to receive an offer from North Carolina State University pic.twitter.com/VKxqAXoK1Y

— ⭐️ Ba’Roc Willis (@roc_willis) February 19, 2026

NC State is one of the 30-plus schools that have offered Willis, who has established himself as one of the top prospects in the 2027 class. The Pell City star can play both off the ball and on the EDGE at the college level, and has drawn interest from some of the nation’s top programs. 

Willis initially committed to Alabama in July 2024 but decommitted the following January, reopening his recruitment. Since then, several programs have pursued him, and the Wolfpack has now entered the race for the four-star EDGE. 

Dec 29, 2017; El Paso, TX, United States; General view of the helmets of the Arizona State Sun Devils and the North Carolina State Wolfpack before the 2017 Sun Bowl at Sun Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-Imagn Images | Ivan Pierre Aguirre-Imagn Images

Doeren and his staff are looking to add multiple talented pass rushers in the 2027 cycle, and Willis would be an excellent addition to NC State’s class. Rivals’ industry rankings list him as the No. 263 overall player nationally, the No. 25 EDGE, and the No. 12 prospect in Alabama. 

NC State’s offer comes relatively late in Willis’ recruitment, as several schools have already made significant progress with him. Rivals’ Recruiting Prediction Machine currently lists Alabama as the frontrunner for the young pass rusher, with Auburn and Georgia Tech also in the mix. 

Oct 11, 2025; South Bend, Indiana, USA; NC State Wolfpack head coach Dave Doeren claps as he walks onto the field against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Caterina-Imagn Images | Michael Caterina-Imagn Images

Although NC State currently faces an uphill battle for Willis, the program may have a way to gain ground in his recruitment. 

Newly hired Wolfpack defensive analyst Roc Bellantoni, who served as Auburn’s outside linebackers coach in 2025, had been recruiting Willis while with the Tigers and still has a strong relationship with him. 

If Doeren, Bellantoni, and the rest of the Wolfpack staff can continue making progress with him in the coming months and convince him to make a trip to Raleigh for a spring or official visit, NC State could position itself as a serious contender for one of the top pass rushers in the 2027 class.

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