Skip to main content
All Wolfpack

NC State Earns Commitment From 3-Star Linebacker

The Wolfpack started to work on the defensive part of the 2027 class by adding Georgia high school linebacker Jake Godfree.
Tucker Sennett|
Dec 30, 2022; Charlotte, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack helmets during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins in the 2022 Duke's Mayo Bowl at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Dec 30, 2022; Charlotte, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack helmets during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins in the 2022 Duke's Mayo Bowl at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

In this story:

North Carolina State Wolfpack

RALEIGH — NC State football is busy in the recruiting cycle for its 2027 class, hosting numerous high school recruits for official visits throughout May to help build the roster for the future, rather than just the present. The program is already earning commitments during this part of the cycle, as head coach Dave Doeren and his staff continue to grind for new pieces to add to the mix.

The Wolfpack earned its fifth commitment of the cycle on Sunday, as three-star linebacker Jake Godfree announced his intent to join the Pack on social media. The North Gwinnett (Ga.) defender had a flurry of choices during his recruiting process, ultimately landing on NC State as the best possible option to start his collegiate career.

What adding Godfree means for NC State

The Lawrenceville native was a coveted recruit for the last two years, earning more than 40 offers during that period, including one from the Wolfpack. Godfree turned down multiple SEC programs, including Oklahoma, Tennessee, Florida, LSU and Alabama. He even received an offer from the defending national champion Indiana Hoosiers, a program considered by many to be on the rise as the next great destination for the best college football players.

NC State needed to find a way to differentiate itself from the rest of those programs when recruiting Godfree and turned to one of the program's most important former linebackers, Isaiah Moore, who now serves as the team's inside linebackers coach. Moore made the trip to the Peach State to visit with Godfree and his family, something that resonated positively with the talented young linebacker as he deliberated over his decision.

Obviously, the home visit helped Doeren and the Wolfpack get a leg up on some of the other programs pursuing Godfree. Ultimately, he chose NC State, bringing a tremendous history of high school production to Raleigh in hopes of becoming the next great linebacker to don the Tuffy logo on his helmet and the black and red of the State uniform. It's easy to understand why the staff is excited.

The 5-foot-11, 220-pound prospect finished his junior season with 141 total tackles, the most in his career. 18 of those tackles were for loss, while Godfree also racked up eight sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception in 2025, bursting onto the national scene with those gawdy numbers. Godfree is the first defensive player in NC State's 2027 recruiting class.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Loading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations

Published
Tucker Sennett
TUCKER SENNETT

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.

Share on XFollow SennettTucker