Friday night was a big one for NC State, which landed a trio of verbal commitments, all of them from outside of NC. Wide receiver Antoine Thompson of Plant City, FL, is the headliner of the three and immediately became the highest-rated player in the Pack’s 2017 class.

Thompson, a high three-star, is listed at 6’1 and 176 pounds by 247Sports. He has an impressive offer sheet that includes Miami, Wisconsin, Louisville, Arizona, Penn State, and Mississippi State. Thompson was an outstanding playmaker as a junior, racking up 692 receiving yards on only 30 receptions. He also plays defensive back.

State also picked up commitments from a couple of linebackers: Nick Smith of Orlando, FL, and Isaiah Moore, of Chesterfield, VA. Both are consensus three-star prospects. Smith holds offers from numerous power-five schools, including Nebraska, UNC, Maryland, Louisville, and Arizona. NC State appears to be the only power-five offer so far for Moore.

Rivals ranks State’s current 13-member recruiting class 30th nationally, while 247 places it at No. 32 overall and sixth in the ACC.

ACC Kickoff is over and we can now set our sights on fall camp as we step closer to the September 3rd showdown with Georgia in Atlanta. Media Days do their part to create headlines and offer some insight on what to expect heading into the season. Here’s what we learned about Carolina football from ACC Kickoff.

Ryan Switzer is as quote worthy as they come

From the moment I heard he was headed to Charlotte I was confident that we would get some good quotes from Switz. One in particular that ACC fans won’t be fond of his Switz’s praise of Clemson referring to them as an “SEC caliber team.” I get that Clemson has one of the best gameday atmospheres in college football and has been strong in recruiting but they are a charter member of the league. I vehemently disagree with Switz, but it was an honest mistake. Naturally, Switz has often been compared to New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker. In response to this, Switzer had this to say, “I don’t know why, by the way. We don’t even look alike.” I won’t say it for him but I commend the guy for wanting to blaze his own path.

The quote that probably turned the most heads was Switzer’s comment on the North Carolina offense, saying that he doesn’t know any team in the country returning the same amount of talent that UNC has coming back on offense. To no one’s surprise, our neighbors down in Clemson didn’t agree. I think it’s pretty safe to say that Clemson is more than likely to have the most explosive offense, in not just the ACC, but in the country. I will say that when looking at what both teams return the only thing that separates the Tigers from the Heels is some guy named DeShaun Watson, who might win the Heisman. Clearly, this is a big advantage, that and officiating on onside kicks but I digress.

Fedora sees the Georgia game as a “measuring stick” for the program

Now, most have tried to downplay the meaning of the Georgia game, which is understandable in terms of being “just” a non-conference game. Losing to Georgia won’t affect Carolina’s ACC Coastal defense and ability to win its first ACC title since 1980. What it would do is hinder any chance of playing in a New Year’s Six bowl if the Tar Heels are able to replicate last season’s success. More importantly, I appreciate the fact that Fedora has recognized this as a building block type of game for his program. A win would likely skyrocket the Tar Heels in the polls and turn the heads of national pundits, along with sending Georgia fans into a bourbon-fueled crisis. Also, the momentum that Carolina has been building in recruiting the Atlanta area would only further benefit with a win versus the states flagship university. Win or lose, this game will write the early narrative on Carolina’s program in 2016.

More creativity with defensive schemes to come

In his Q&A with the press, Fedora spoke about what is to be expected from Gene Chizik’s defense in Year 2. One thing he pointed out was the fact that the defense will be more creative in their schemes as opposed to playing in their based defense like they did 100% of the time last season. Fedora mentioned how this will help prevent the defense from being exposed like they were late in the season against Clemson and Baylor.

Des Lawrence feels snubbed

Des Lawrence has been doing what we all shouldn’t do: take preseason preview magazines to heart. The senior cornerback, despite finishing second-team All-ACC last season, has received no love from the various magazines predicting first-team all-conference teams in the ACC. Lawrence, and defensive backfield mate MJ Stewart –who was also on the ACC defensive second-team—have already vowed to use the slight as motivation heading into the season.

Socks are optional

Last week, at SEC Media Days in Hoover, AL, Florida head coach Jim McElwain made waves about his distaste for socks. Although in a suit, McElwain sported the ‘no-sock’ look. Fedora brought the trend to the Westin in Charlotte, citing that “it was the closest thing to being barefoot” he could get.

scoopnest.com

Lawrence on the other hand sported some fly socks that got some media attention.

Continued high praise for Mitch Trubisky

We’ve talked throughout the summer about managing expectations for Mitch Trubisky, but Fedora wants to hear none of it. He continued to speak volumes about his redshirt junior quarterback, who he says has the team’s full confidence. Fedora went on to suggest that he’s never felt more comfortable about going into a season with a new quarterback than he does his Trubisky, given the signal caller’s experience in the system.

Just 42 days until Georgia.

Jack Allison

QB – 6’5 200 Freshman – Palmetto, Fl

U.S. Army All-American was one of the highest rated pocket passers in the country coming out of H.S. and a 4 star prospect across the board among all of the major recruiting services.

Heady player, who enrolled at UM in December, and participated in Spring Football.

His biggest asset however, is his rifle of an arm.

#Miami #Hurricanes freshman QB Jack Allison warming up pic.twitter.com/q2nUq5uDVo

— Gerry Hamilton (@HamiltonESPN) April 9, 2016

Brad Kaaya today had some high praise for EE QB Jack Allison. Said he thinks Allison has the strongest arm of all the Miami QBs.

— Christy Chirinos (@ChristyChirinos) April 7, 2016

But he also beings great size, touch, and accuracy to the position, and may even be a touch underrated as an athlete:

Summary:  If by chance Brad Kaaya gets hurt, will Coach Mark Richt burn Allison’s RS and play him as a true freshman?  It seems doubtful. But if Richt feels he has the best chance to win with the Palmetto product, it could happen.  Evan Shirreffs and Malik Rosier will also have something to say about it, if that awful scenario plays out. However while those two players have more experience in the program, neither has the talent of Allison.  At 6’5 with a cannon on his right shoulder, Allison can make any throw you want.  He stands tall in the pocket, and does a pretty good job with his footwork (though occasionally some of his tosses seem to be all arm).  Allison  also has a very quick release on underneath stuff, and can get the ball deep down the field effortlessly.   His physical skill set is prototypical for a pocket passer. If he gets the mental aspect of the game down, he could be a superstar down the line. And he’ll have at least a year to learn from Kaaya, and more than that under Richt.  In 2016 he more than likely sits the bench and absorbs.  In 2017 he might have another year behind Kaaya, and down the line future ‘Canes recruit N’Kosi Perry could be a thorn in his side.  But sometime in the not too distant future I expect this kid to become a household name.  There’s a long way to go in his development, but he already has top NFL prospect arm strength, and he’s in a near perfect position to develop with the guy ahead of him and the Coach he has mentoring him.

A large portion of Washington State’s success on the football field in 2015 was due in part to the revamped defensive unit, under first-year defensive coordinator Alex Grinch.

Prior to the start of the season, there were plenty of question marks about how Grinch could necessitate change for the Cougars defensively when other, more attractive defensive coordinators were available to sign.

You know the rest of the story: The Cougars defense got better – not great by a long shot – but a lot better. After just forcing eight takeaways in 2014, the 2015 team came away with 24 which ranked them 34th nationally in that category. Not surprisingly, the improved defense kept the Cougars in more football games and the old saying “bend don’t break” seemed to be the motto for the 2015 team.

ESPN’s David Lombardi wrote a story on the Pac-12 Blog regarding Grinch and senior hybrid linebacker Parker Henry. From Lombardi’s story:

Washington State now enters 2016 as a contender in the Pac-12 North. T-shirts and candy bars are no longer the only motivators in the defensive room: The Cougars feel that they’ve become a legitimate threat to take the league crown, so Grinch is working to reach a more advanced implementation of what he calls his defense’s “hair-on-fire” mentality. That’s something he deems a prerequisite for success at Washington State, a program that doesn’t typically net as many blue chip defensive players as its Pac-12 counterparts.

With all the improvement the Cougars made defensively in just one season, the sky is the limit as Washington State hopes to challenge for the Pac-12 Championship this season.

Football:

Grinch, Henry aim to continue Washington State Cougars’ surge – Pac-12 Blog- ESPN
The Washington State Cougars are looking to build on last season’s improvement during Year 2 of Alex Grinch’s tenure as defensive coordinator.

Mailbag: Unhappiness from the Pac-12’s under-hyped – Pac-12 Blog- ESPN
So why is Washington State fourth?

The Blacksburg Bash is off to a rousing start.  The Hokies received a commitment from 6’0 speedster, Bryce Thompson, who is a WR from South Carolina.  Thompson was offered by the Hokies last week, and also had an offer from East Carolina.  The Hokies continue to recruit depth at the receiver position, and the versatile Thompson will help fill that need.  Thompson will join the class of 2018, and the hashtag for this class is known as #ExitLight18.  If you see that hashtag, then you will know it refers to that class.

BREAKING: Virginia Tech picks up their first commitment of the 2018 class https://t.co/sO2qJwXrmB

— VTScoop247 (@VTScoop247) July 23, 2016

Thompson was recruited by James Shibest, who is Virginia Tech’s special teams coordinator.Welcome to the Hokie Nation, Bryce, look forward to seeing you in Lane Stadium very soon! Stay locked at gobblercountry.com for continuing coverage of the Blacksburg Bash.

Ready to get this thing started!! #BlacksburgBash pic.twitter.com/NYJXHGFSTy

— Justin Fuente (@CoachFuente) July 23, 2016

Hamsah Nasirildeen, a four-star safety recruit from Concord (NC) visited Florida State this week for the Jimbo Fisher camp. At 6’3 and 210 pounds, Nasirildeen looks like a linebacker, but he showed impressive coverage skills during the Thursday session of camp, notching several interceptions. If he does put on so much muscle during his college years that he moves to linebacker, he’ll do so with great coverage skills. And if he’s able to stay at safety, he’ll have excellent size for the position.

Florida State made quite the impression on Nasirildeen.

“Being able to work with the coaches was a whole lot better then just getting to talk with them. Touring the campus and seeing all that was nice, but football is what gets you here and it’s what you’re doing. Talking and playing football with them brought out a whole other side of things.”

Concord High School is actually the same school as FSU running back coach Jay Graham, who recruits the Carolinas.

“Coach Graham is a big factor. You got a coach that knows you personally and you can trust he cares for you and is going to look out for you,” he added. “Coach Graham is from Concord. He’s a cool dude, real humble, you would never know he’s like the greatest running back of all time. He just acts real normal and cool about it.”

While Alabama is seen as the frontrunner, the four-star insists that he has no leader and is seriously considering Alabama, Florida, Florida State and South Carolina. All four have a history of recruiting players from the Carolinas. He has no timetable for a decision, but will return to Tallahassee this season for the Clemson game.

Quotes courtesy Josh Newberg, who spoke with the player while we were attending to other interviews.

The Oregon State football team will begin their first practices of the 2016 season in unfamiliar territory. Because of the on-going construction in the North end zone of Reser Stadium, as well as the many renovations that include the locker room, equipment room and sports medicine facility, The Beavers will be holding their first week of fall camp in Bend, Oregon at Summit high school. The $42 million project is expected to be ready for Oregon State’s home opener on September 17th vs. Idaho State.

Oregon State has never held a full week of practices outside of Corvallis before but, Beaver fans in Central Oregon should be excited to hear that one of Oregon State’s practices will be open to the public. The open practice will be held Saturday, August 6th starting at 10:15 am. Although, the practice will not include pads or tackling, per NCAA rules, it should be an exciting event for fans to get an early look at the team.

Moving the start of fall camp 3 hours and 130 miles away from Corvallis is no small undertaking. The football team will take all players (around 105 total), all of the staff and much of their equipment. School officials are expecting to take at least 5 buses on the journey.

Starting practices in Bend will give the team a unique opportunity to develop on the field and bond before the season begins. It will provide an old-school camp feel, that will hopefully unify the players. The Beavers will head back after their last practice on August 10th and resume normal practice schedules in Corvallis.

Michael Mauti probably would have become one of the great Penn State linebackers, in the pantheon of that position at LBU, anyway. A legacy whose dad, Rich, played in Happy Valley and whose brother, Patrick, was a wideout for the Nittany Lions, Mauti committed on the spot to Joe Paterno (to his father’s chagrin) during an on-campus visit, a four star linebacker and the number one player in the state of Louisiana in the 2008 recruiting class.

He probably would have been a great player anyway, but Mauti solidified his status in the Penn State history books when this happened:

After the NCAA sanctions were imposed in the summer of 2012, Mauti was a galvanizing force on the sidelines and field, keeping the bulk of the Penn State squad together and giving the PSU community hope and faith in the future.

He parlayed that into a successful 2012 senior season, despite being injured to end his season in an ugly chop block against Indiana, and his teammates recognized his impact by wearing his number on their helmets to end their season—and fellow linebacker Gerald Hodges wore his number in that glorious season-ender against Wisconsin.

Mauti was drafted in 2013 by the Vikings, taken in the 7th round (213th overall) to play with Hodges. After two seasons of special teams and mop up duty, he left for his hometown New Orleans Saints, where he’s made much more of an immediate impact—he played 16 games last year, starting two, and logged more tackles than his two years in Minnesota combined.

And, in true Mauti fashion, he’s giving back to the community that he grew up in.