3-star defensive lineman Justin Terrell signs with NC State
Once committed to Wake Forest, defensive lineman Justin Terrell eventually ended up committing to an ACC team in North Carolina: NC State.
The three-star defensive lineman built a special connection with current Wolfpack sophomore defensive lineman Brandon Cleveland, while he also saw how the NC State defensive staff has developed its front seven.
That was all that was needed for Terrell to commit to the Wolfpack in July. Less than six months later, the Rome, Ga., native made it official by signing his national letter of intent on Wednesday.
Position: Defensive line
School: Rome (Ga.) High
Height/Weight: 6-2, 285
Other offers: Cincinnati, East Carolina, Georgia Southern, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Kentucky, Kennesaw State, Liberty, Memphis, Missouri, Mississippi State, North Carolina, Troy, Virginia, Wake Forest, Western Kentucky, Wisconsin
Senior year stats: 43.5 total tackles, 7 sacks, 20 tackles for loss, 1 interception and 4 pass breakups.
How Terrell ended up at NC State
As Terrell was going through his recruitment, a phone call from Cleveland was enough to help him make his decision.
Cleveland’s message to Terrell? “They’re not going to lie to you,” Terrell recalled in an interview with TheWolfpacker.com in July.
Not only did Cleveland have high praise for the Wolfpack’s coaching staff, but he also visited the same schools that Terrell was thinking about and said that NC State was the palace to be. After that conversation, Terrell decided NC State was the program for him, and he committed to the Wolfpack.
Why Terrell picked NC State
“I wanted to go somewhere where I can be developed and play early and get recognized early, so I can achieve my dreams,” Terrell said.
“Don’t go chasing logos,” Terrell said. “Go to a place where you know you are going to be alright and you are going to fit in. Trust me, NC State is where you’re supposed to be.”
