By Brian Murphy, WRAL

Raleigh, N.C. — NC State secured its starting quarterback for 2025 on Tuesday night when CJ Bailey announced he would return to the Wolfpack.

Wednesday, NC State signed what it hopes will be its starting quarterback in the future. Quarterback Will Wilson, a three-star prospect from Columbia, South Carolina, headlined the Wolfpack’s 17-member signing class. He committed in June 2023.

“It helps when you get your quarterback early for sure,” NC State coach Dave Doeren said. “A lot of guys want to know who their quarterback is going to be in their class. That’s a key component. From Will’s standpoint, he committed really early. He was very solid throughout. He had a lot of people trying to get him to change his mind. His loyalty was very impressive.”

NC State will enter 2025, barring any other recruiting moves, with a young quarterback room — Bailey, Lex Thomas and Wilson. Bailey, a true freshman, started nine games this season. He announced Tuesday night that he would be back.

“We feel good about the three quarterbacks that are here,” Doeren said. “It doesn’t mean you don’t keep looking for guys that may or may not fit what you need. But it’s not like it was the last couple years. We’re not trying to find a portal starter. We love the fact that we’ve got CJ with Lex — and those two guys get along really well — and Will coming in the building here mid-year. It’s a much better position than we’ve been in. I love going into the offseason knowing who my starter is.”

NC State added four high school offensive lineman in the class, including four-star tackle Ta’Khyian Whitset, the highest-rated member of the class. Whitset, from Antioch, Tennessee, is listed at 6-foot-5 and 265 pounds.

“Really tall offensive tackle,” Doeren said. “Good basketball player. Can move. Has a body that we’ll be able to develop. We love getting guys that play hoops that are offensive tackles. He’s a physical player.”

Doeren, too, has high hopes for Isaac “Spikes” Sowells Jr., a high school center out of Louisville. His dad played in the NFL. Doeren said he has a big personality and envisions him as a future captain.

“He grew up in a football family and been around the game his whole life,” Doeren said. “He’s very athletic, which for the center in our offense we like. Running outside zone, we need our center to be able to get up and go. But he is physical, too. He can move people off the ball. He plays with a mindset I like.”

The Wolfpack also signed offensive tackle Michael Gibbs from Hoggard High School in Wilmington.

Gibbs is one of three in-state signees for the Wolfpack, joining Cary High School tight end Gus Ritchey and Forest Hills High School wide receiver Je’Rel Bolder. Richey initially committed to North Carolina before flipping his commitment in August 2023.

“He’s a great fit here,” Doeren said. “I always felt when I first got to know Gus that this was the right school for him. You could tell he’s a tough, blue-collar guy. He loves contact. He’s physical. He’s been at every game we’ve played for two years.”

Bolder is a four-star prospect, who is listed at wide receiver but played also played in the defensive backfield in high school.

NC State added four defensive lineman in the class as well, including junior-college transfer A.J. Prim. Doeren said he was looking for an older player to contribute immediately at that spot.

Doeren said the changes to college football — including the ability to transfer and play immediately at a new school — has not changed the time or effort involved in high school recruiting. He said transferring is often the right decision for athletes who are not getting playing time later in their careers, but said he wishes younger players would sometimes stick it out longer before leaving.

“We want these guys to be a part of this place, to get their blood in the bricks, to go through adversity, grow and succeed,” Doeren said. “Hopefully, that’s what the majority of the guys will do.”

NC State signing class

Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown High School/Previous

OJ Abraham DT 6’2 290 Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. American Heritage

Je’rel Bolder* WR 6’0 190 Wingate, NC. Forest Hills

Colby Cronk DE 6’3 260 Palm Coast, Fla. Flagler Palm Coast

Preston Douglas TE 6’3 225 Jupiter, Fla. The Benjamin School

Terris Dudley LB 6’3 200 Hilliard, Ohio Hilliard Bradley

Michael Gibbs* OT 6‘4 295 Wilmington, NC. John T. Hoggard

Caden Gordon* CB 6’2 180 Palm Beach, Fla. Santaluces

Gerritt Kemp* SAF 6’3 180 Grayson, Ga. Hebron Christian

Kage Payne OL 6’3 290 Cincinnati, Ohio Kings

AJ Prim* DL 6’3 255 Tylertown, Miss. Foley/ Pearl River C.C

Gus Ritchey* TE 6’3 240 Pittsboro, NC. Cary

Isaac Sowells* OL 6’2 292 Louisville, Ky. Louisville Male

Cam Strong* CB 6’1 175 Anderson, SC. TL Hanna

Tristan Teasdell* SAF 6’1 180 Leesburg, Va. Tuscarora

Josiah Victor* DT 6’2 175 Miami, Fla. Grayson

Ta’Khyian Whitset OT 6’5 270 Antioch, Tenn. Antioch

Will Wilson* QB 6’1 220 Columbia, SC. Richland Northeast

*Indicates Midyear Enrollee

Source: wralsportsfan.com