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www.thewolfpackeronline.com feb. 7, 2013 Closing Rush New Head Coach Dave Doeren Finishes Strong To Land 23-Member Recruiting Class By Jacey Zembal three-star prospects, with five checking in ew NC State head coach Dave Doeren with a Rivals rating of 5.7 on a 6.1 scale. used a strong closing push to land 23 Doeren said he emphasized finding playsignees plus two transfers. The Wolfpack ers who had prep success from winning tied for the No. 46 recruiting class in the programs. country in the Rivals.com rankings, and "We wanted to build this class with winwas 53rd in the Scout ratings, 60th in the ners," Doeren said. "I know a lot of people 247Sports rankings and on the outside looking 66th in ESPN's listings. "We were able to meet a in are concerned about Rivals.com ranked the rankings and stars. Those Wolfpack's haul eighth in lot of needs, but you are kinds of things matter to the ACC, and that place never perfect in a class everybody on our staff, would not change with with a six-week window but we really like to rethe departure of Marylike we had. I think we cruit winners, guys that land and the additions of know how to win and made a lot of strides." with championship rings. Pittsburgh, Louisville and ■ Doeren Syracuse. We had 24 kids in the Doeren and his new playoffs and six in state staff landed 14 players since getting hired championships." Dec. 1, with running back Matt Dayes of Doeren watched NC State during bowl Weston (Fla.) Cypress Bay High a recompractices in December to assess what his mitment. Eleven of the signees held steady roster needed in the future and what pofollowing the firing of former head coach sitions in particular had to have a quick Tom O'Brien, who is now at Virginia as an boost of attention. associate head coach and tights ends coach. NC State didn't fill every position "We were able to meet a lot of needs, group, but loaded up with six wide receivbut you are never perfect in a class with a ers, three running backs and two quartersix-week window like we had. I think we backs on offense, and five defensive backs made a lot of strides," said Doeren, who and three linebackers. The various wide created the motto "1Pack1Goal." receivers, running backs and defensive The Wolfpack didn't land any Rivals.com backs should also fortify the return game four-star players, but 19 of the 23 were on special teams. N JUMP TO CONTENTS Wide receiver Pharoah McKever was one of 18 Rivals.com three-star recruits Doeren and his staff landed in the Wolfpack's class of 2013. Page 1 photo courtesy Pharoah McKever