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3-star ATH Aiden Smalls flips from Rice to NC State

image_6483441 (3)by: Noah Fleischman07/08/25fleischman_noah
Aiden Smalls
Clayton (N.C.) High senior wide receiver Aiden Smalls has flipped from Rice to NC State.

Going into his initial late-April decision, Clayton (N.C.) three-star athlete Aiden Smalls wanted to pick the school that showed him the most support, while staying close to home would be ideal. 

But he elected to commit to Rice as a quarterback on April 25. That didn’t stop NC State’s staff from continuing to recruit the local standout. Eventually, that paid off for the Wolfpack.

Smalls flipped his commitment to NC State on Tuesday, he announced via social media.

The 6-foot-1, 170-pound prospect will play wide receiver and return kicks for the Pack when he arrives in Raleigh. Smalls spent his first two high school seasons as a wideout at Raleigh (N.C.) Cardinal Gibbons, but played quarterback for Clayton as a junior and will again this fall. 

Although Smalls wanted to play quarterback in college — and Rice presented the opportunity to do so — NC State’s consistent effort on the recruiting trail paid off. The Wolfpack was on Smalls early and the coaching staff was able to watch the early stages of his prep career just feet away from the Murphy Center. 

That created a bond that was crucial in Smalls’ decision-making process.

“They’ve been with me since eighth grade,” Smalls said of the Wolfpack earlier this year. “They’re close to home. That’s been the school I’ve been thinking about going to my whole life. I love [Dave] Doeren, I love Joker [Phillips] — I love everybody there.”

Smalls threw for 1,948 yards with 24 touchdowns and just seven interceptions with a 60 percent completion rate as a junior quarterback for the Comets. In addition, he ran for 1,006 yards with 12 touchdown carries on 150 attempts. 

As a wide receiver, Smalls impressed during his sophomore year at Cardinal Gibbons. He caught 76 passes for 941 yards with 12 touchdowns as he averaged 72.4 yards per game. 

Smalls is the Wolfpack’s 17th overall commitment of the 2026 cycle. He joins Mentor (Ohio) three-star offensive lineman Landry Brede, Kinston (N.C.) wide receiver Tyreek Copper, Buford (Ga.) three-star running back Dylan McCoy, Kernersville (N.C.) East Forsyth three-star wide receiver Jaire Richburg, Richmond (Va.) Trinity Episcopal three-star tackle Brady Sakowitz and Pfafftown (N.C.) Reagan three-star quarterback Jacob Smith as the team’s offensive commits.

NC State’s defensive pledges, meanwhile, include Locust Grove (Ga.) Lulella three-star safety safety Markel Aguirre, Suwanee (Ga.) Peachtree Ridge safety Tristen Hill, Winter Park (Fla.) three-star cornerback Jordan Jackson, Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy three-star defensive lineman Carmelo McKenzie, Paramus (N.J.) Catholic three-star linebacker Jordan Moreta, Pittsburgh (Pa.) Woodland Hills linebacker Zykir Moore, Baltimore (Md.) Milford Mill Academy three-star safety Koby Sarkodie and Shelby (N.C.) Crest three-star safety D’Various Surratt.

Cameron (N.C.) Union Pines long snapper Taylon Tranel is the Wolfpack’s only special teams commit.

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