The Wolfpacker War Room: NC State Alpha Wolf intel and observations

NC State football wrapped up its Alpha Wolf Showcase Friday evening after around 20 prospects stopped by campus. A few of the prospects in attendance shared rave reviews of the trip with TheWolfpacker.com .

Recruits met with coaches at the Murphy Center, briefly went through a workout inside Carter-Finley Stadium while hype videos played on the scoreboard and then made the quick trip over to NC State’s University Club for an afternoon at the pool.

A few prospects stood out on the field even with the limited workout, and TheWolfpacker.com took note the buzz surrounding some of the visitors coming out of this event.

Four-star wide receiver commit Je’rel Bolder

Je’rel Bolder returned to NC State for the first time since committing on the final day of his official visit. The in-state star is now considered the No. 201 recruit in the country. He said the trip went really well, and his father Brandon shared a positive review as well.

“They continue to have that welcoming energy that just feels right,” Brandon Bolder said. “They are more than happy to have Je’rel committed there and they continue to be wowed by his abilities.”

Three-star offensive line commit Michael Gibbs

Michael Gibbs committed to NC State June 30 and locked in with the Pack since then. He was excited to be back around offensive line coach Garett Tujague , graduate assistant Brian Green and the rest of the staff. The lineman said he is “very proud” to be joining the Pack this winter.

His mother Malissa also spoke with TheWolfpacker.com about the trip.

“It was still so surreal but also just felt right!” Malissa Gibbs said. “As we walked in and saw everyone, [Michael] turned to me and said: ‘I’m home mama!’ Felt like we were catching up with family and friends we have known forever. Awesome to have coach 2J and coach Greene get their hands on him for some coaching. The pressure was off, it was a day of puzzle pieces all fitting together and really being proud to be in the Pack!”

Three-star cornerback commit Cam Strong

Cam Strong is locked in with the Wolfpack and used this trip to build a bond with his fellow commits. His favorite part of the trip was beating safety commit Tristan Teasdell in the EA Sports College Football video game.

NC State put together a good visit “as always,” Strong said. The cornerback also shared that he is actively recruiting four-star cornerback Jontae Gilbert to join him in Raleigh.

Three-star safety commit Tristan Teasdell

Tristan Teasdell said he’s going to beat Strong the next time they play the video game, but he really enjoyed his trip back to Raleigh. Virginia Tech and Boston College tried to flip him earlier this year. He remains locked in with NC State.

“I was already positive NC State was my home, so what was big about this visit was just building a better relationship with the other commits and coaches,” Teasdell said.

’26 cornerback Sean Johnson

NC State offered Sean Johnson in April, and the Severn (MD) Archbishop Spalding High star stopped by campus Friday. At 6-0, 175, he has the frame to play corner for the Pack. He toured campus and Raleigh cornerbacks coach Brian Mitchell, and the rising junior appreciated NC State’s staff continuity.

“It shows that they are all dedicated to one goal,” Johnson said.

Johnson, who also holds offers from Oregon, Tennessee, South Carolina and others, plans on returning to campus for another visit in the future.

Three-star ’26 offensive tackle Brady Sakowitz

Brady Sakowitz visited for the second time this summer. The 6-7 tackle from Virginia is quickly emerging as a priority for the next recruiting cycle, and there’s a lot of mutual interest here.

“It was great,” Sakowitz said. “I had a great time spending some time with everyone!”

The highlight of his trip was learning from Tujague, who gave him some tips for his upcoming season with Richmond (Va.) Trinity Episcopal School.

’26 cornerback Chase Geter

Chase Geter made another trip to Raleigh from Virginia after camping in June. NC State offered him in April and hosted him for Alpha Wolf. He appreciated the chance to watch film with nickels coach Freddie Aughtry-Lindsay and work out on the field.

“I was able to understand how I would be able to fit NC State’s scheme and how they use my position in their defense,” Geter said.

A quick update on 4-star cornerback Jontae Gilbert

Gilbert originally planned on visiting for the Alpha Wolf Showcase but could not make the trip because he needed to attend all of his practices at Atlanta (Ga.) Douglass High this week. Instead, he will travel to Georgia Saturday.

This is a noteworthy trip for the four-star cornerback, but it’s important not to overreact here. Georgia is far closer to Atlanta than Raleigh, and the Bulldogs’ event is happening on the weekend. Gilbert set his commitment date for Aug. 10, so Georgia will receive the final visit. NC State’s consistent effort helped create separation from the SEC school earllier this summer

If the Bulldogs push for the nation’s No. 135 recruit, they will be tough to beat.

“It’s my last visit, it’s a crucial one since they’re getting the last visit,” Gilbert told DawgsHQ in an interview this week . “That puts them in a great position.”

NC State still holds the momentum here, but keep a close eye on this visit.

Alpha Wolf observations

*** Bolder, Teasdell, defensive line commit Colby Cronk and three-star ’26 linebacker Chad Fairchild all look college-ready physically. They all stood out during the half hour of drills inside Carter-Finley Stadium.

*** Bolder continues to bulk up while maintaining the elite leaping ability and quickness that makes him the No. 201 recruit in the country. He showed off some polished route running and even fielded punts during Friday’s camp.

*** Cornerback commit Caden Gordon absolutely flew through the gauntlet drill and looks extremely quick at 6-1, 170 pounds. He will need to add muscle at the college level, but look out for a big season from him this fall. The Wolfpack commit will play both sides of the ball with Lake Worth (Fla.) Santaluces High, and this will be just his second season at corner.

*** On3 lists Sakowitz at 6-7, 285 pounds, and that impressive frame looked legit at Alpha Wolf.

More Alpha Wolf recruiting nuggets

*** Three-star Wolfpack defensive line commit Mykah Newton’s flight was late today, but he did make it to campus Friday. The Newberry (Fla.) High star picked up an offer from Miami recently but, per a source, he is completely locked in with NC State.

*** Defensive line commits Colby Cronk and Makhi Williams-Lee’s respective visits went well. Those two and Newton all spent some time together, which was the first time the trio has met since joining the Pack’s class.

*** Fairchild enjoyed his trip to Raleigh, other than his loss in the college football video game. His favorite part of the trip was going through the gauntlet drill during camp and spending time with the Wolfpack staff.

*** ’26 offensive lineman Tre Aiken earned an offer at camp this summer and returned for Alpha Wolf. The rising junior from South Carolina enjoyed the chance to work with NC State’s staff in Carter-Finley Stadium and forge a stronger connection with the coaches.

*** Rising sophomore cornerback Akedran Crumel is no stranger to the Pack as a local star for Clayton (N.C.) High. Per a source, he grew up fond of NC State and appears interested in the program very early in his recruitment. South Carolina, Maryland and Virginia Tech have also offered.

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