NC State is off to a good start on the recruiting trail in 2023.

It’s still relatively early in the cycle, but NC State already has commitments from 3 prospects — including a 4-star tight end.

The class currently ranks No. 39 nationally, according to 247Sports Composite rankings. In 2021 — the last time Dave Doeren signed more than 20 high school prospects — NC State finished at No. 37.

Of course, the ranking will fluctuate as the cycle continues. NC State — and other programs around them — will likely add multiple commitments over the summer.

All 3 of NC State’s commitments so far are from the state of North Carolina. The Wolfpack securing in-state talent has always been a big priority under Doeren. He signed 7 in-state players in 2022, 12 in 2021 and 8 in 2020, for example.

Here’s a breakdown of the 3 prospects who are currently committed to NC State in the class of 2023:

4-star tight end Javonte Vereen | Havelock, North Carolina | No. 17 TE nationally | 6-foot-4, 205 pounds

3-star offensive tackle Darion Rivers | Charlotte, North Carolina | No. 45 OT nationally | 6-foot-6, 255 pounds

3-star quarterback Lex Thomas | Wake Forest, North Carolina | No. 34 QB nationally | 5-foot-11, 176 pounds

Thomas is a big piece of this class, given that he’s a quarterback. He committed to the Wolfpack early, giving them his verbal pledge back on July 23, 2021.

Rivers and Vereen both committed this spring. Vereen is an especially impressive get for NC State. He also had offers from programs like Georgia, Louisville and Maryland, per 247Sports.

Players in the class of 2023 will be able to officially sign with their programs during the Early Signing Period in December.