Published: 06:37 PM, Mon Jun 18, 2012
Jack Britt's Jalen McDaniel commits to N.C. State football
The second time was the charm for N.C. State in its recruitment of Jack Britt's Jalen McDaniel.
The All-Mid-South 4-A Conference wide receiver made a verbal commitment to play for the Wolfpack last Friday, choosing the Atlantic Coast Conference school over scholarship offers from Clemson, East Carolina, North Carolina and Wake Forest. Auburn and Virginia Tech were also aggressively recruiting McDaniel.
"My family and I have been talking about it, and we just felt like this was the best decision for me,'' McDaniel said Monday. "They have a great fan base and stability on their coaching staff.
"Another big factor is they are low at my position. I don't necessarily expect to walk on the field and play. But I'm hoping to learn and maybe get some playing time as a true freshman.''
This is McDaniel's second commitment to N.C. State. He first made a pledge in June 2011 along with then-Jack Britt teammate M.J. Salahuddin after they both attended summer football camp in Raleigh.
But 24 hours later, McDaniel's mother, Tanya Locklear, communicated that her son had not committed to any school.
"I was new to the recruiting process last year and sometimes you just have to watch what you say and who you talk to,'' McDaniel said. "My Mom wanted me to wait and see what was out there. But in the end we both realized there's really nothing better than N.C. State for me.''
The 6-foot-2, 188-pounder has already been a starter for two seasons at Jack Britt. He finished sixth among Cumberland County receivers with 28 catches for 545 yards and six touchdowns as a sophomore, then moved up to third last season with 33 catches for 529 yards and three scores. McDaniel achieved last year's statistics despite being hindered by an ankle injury.
McDaniel is the third Jack Britt player to commit to N.C. State since 2009. Quarterback Everett Proctor signed with the Wolfpack in 2009 and linebacker M.J. Salahuddin will be a true freshman at N.C. State next fall.
Staff writer Sammy Batten can be reached at battens@fayobserver.com or 486-3534.