BREAKING: JUCO lineman Jykeveous Hibbler commits to NC State
NC State added its first junior college commit of the cycle Sunday evening when Jykeveous Hibbler announced he will be joining the 2023 class. The Senatobia (Miss.) Northwest Mississippi Community College defensive lineman chose the Wolfpack over offers from Appalachian State, USF, Coastal Carolina, among numerous others.
Hibbler was 1 of 5 junior college prospects to pick up an offer from the Pack this fall, and he quickly scheduled an official visit to NC State for Dec. 9. The 6-2, 255 pound sophomore recorded 41 total tackles, including 16.5 tackles for loss and 9 sacks, this fall.
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He is the 16th member of the Pack’s 2023 class and the second defensive lineman, joining On3 Consensus three-star prospect Isaiah Shirley from Boone (N.C.) Watauga High. NC State was Hibbler’s only known official visit this fall. The defensive lineman plays end for Northwest Mississippi on a four-man front and shows off tremendous speed while rushing the passer.
This fall was Hibbler’s third season in junior college after a high school career at Louisville (Miss.) High. Northwest Mississippi went 10-2 in 2022 and lost in semifinals round of the NJCAA Division I Playoffs. Hibbler had 2 tackles for loss in the playoff defeat to Iowa Western.
In 2021, Hibbler helped his school go 9-3 by playing in all 12 games and accumulating 21 tackles, including 4 for loss and 3.5 sacks, and also added 7 quarterback hurries, 2 forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and a pass breakup.
The year prior, Hibbler played six games and had 11 tackles, including 3.5 for loss and 2.5 sacks, and also pressured the quarterback twice. Because the NCAA froze eligibility in 2020, Hibbler still has three years to play two once he arrived at NC State.
NC State hosted a stacked group of official visitors this weekend that included Hibbler and On3 Consensus four-star New Bern (N.C.) High defensive lineman Keith Sampson Jr., setting up for a potentially special defensive line group. Sampson is currently a Florida State commitment who started his official visit at NC State after helping his high school team win a 4-A state title.
The Wolfpack’s 2023 class sits at No. 33 in the country and No. 6 in the ACC.
NC State is seeking immediate defensive line help after All-ACC nose tackle Cory Durden exhausted his eligibility. In addition, fourth-year redshirt sophomore nose tackle Joshua Harris announced on Saturday that he was entering the transfer portal. Third-year redshirt freshman defensive lineman Claude Larkins was also in the portal, but only briefly before withdrawing his name.
Fourth-year redshirt sophomore C.J. Clark also chose to walk on Senior Day against Boston College, an indication that he is considering his future options. Hibbler also provides some insurance as returning starter and fourth-year junior Savion Jackson works his way back from a late-season torn ACL injury that required surgery.
