NC State picks up commitment from 3-star TE William Vaughn

Even though signing day is less than a week away, commitments continue to roll in for NC State as it adds to its 2026 recruiting class. 

The newest addition? Kings Mountain (N.C.) three-star tight end William “Tex” Vaughn, who announced his pledge to the Wolfpack on Sunday afternoon. 

Vaughn, who previously committed to Boston College in May before decommitting two weeks ago, had been on NC State’s radar for quite some time. Wolfpack tight ends coach Gavin Locklear extended an offer to Vaughn in January and has continued to recruit him ever since.

That persistence appeared to pay off as Vaughn, who took an official visit this weekend, became the second tight end to join the Pack’s 2026 class after Chicago (Ill.) three-star ATH Stephen Brown pledged to NC State earlier this month. 

Vaughn, who also drew interest from Georgia Tech after reopening his recruitment, is set to enroll at NC State in January. He ranks as the No. 28 overall prospect in the state, according to Rivals, while checking in as the No. 50 tight end nationally. 

The 6-foot-3, 234-pound prospect logged 43 receptions for 713 yards and 11 touchdowns during his senior campaign. He helped the Mountaineers to a postseason berth before falling in the NCHSAA 6A playoffs, which ended in a 37-7 loss to Greensboro (N.C.) Northern Guilford. 

Vaughn, who is the second Kings Mountain alum to join the Pack roster (junior linebacker AJ Richardson) emerged as a college recruit as a junior with 45 catches for 994 yards and nine touchdowns as he logged three 100-yard efforts in the 2024 campaign. 

The wide receiver is NC State’s 22nd commit of the 2026 class. He joins Iva (S.C.) Crescent three-star wideout Amiri Acker, 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, Maryville (Tenn.) three-star offensive lineman Brody Smith and Pfafftown (N.C.) Reagan three-star quarterback Jacob Smith as the program’s recruits on the offensive side of the ball.

The Pack’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.