NC State senior WR commit Tyreek Copper shows out

FARMVILLE — NC State senior wide receiver commit Tyreek Copper is enjoying a terrific senior year for Kinston (N.C.) High.

Copper verbally committed to NC State on June 21, just two days after he was offered a scholarship following a 7-on-7 event. Copper is probably the most “sleeper” of NC State’s commits with FBS offers from NC State, Air Force, Army and Navy. He also had FCS offers from Bryant, Campbell, Charleston Southern, Cornell, Elon, Gardner-Webb, North Carolina Central, Princeton and Richmond.

Copper showed why he’s not only worthy of a P4 offer, but could one day be an impact player for the Wolfpack during a 55-32 win over Farmville (N.C.) Central.

The game

Kinston and Farmville Central both want to score points, but in different ways. Farmville Central has the rare hurry-up, no-huddle spread option offense. Senior quarterback B.J. Gardner deserves his flowers and could be a nice add for some program as an “athlete.” He went 9-of-15 passing for 169 yards and two touchdowns, and he rushed 26 times for 144 yards and three scores.

Copper and a big-play group erupted in the second half. Kinston led 21-20 at halftime and 35-32 after three quarters. Copper scored three touchdowns in the second half, including two in the fourth quarter to put the Jaguars away.

NC State target

Copper started his scoring stretch with a 35-yard touchdown, a 56-yard bomb and a 27-yarder with 8:20 left for the final score. He unofficially finished with eight catches for 172 yards and three scores.

Copper isn’t a one-trick pony kind of receiver in that he just runs vertical routes or does a steady does of flanker screens or quick bubble passes. He can play in the slot or outside and the hope will be that he can be a receiver who gets open on third and six and moves the chains.

Copper also has a chip on his shoulder. He knows what schools passed on recruiting him, and if not for his performance at the Wolfpack’s 7-on-7 last June that impressed NCSU wide receiver coach Joker Phillips, he likely would have remained a sleeper until this fall. Some of the schools that passed on him are now trying to sway him now, but he’s not interested. 

Past target

NC State originally evaluated a different receiver at Kinston High, who transferred in from Spring Creek (N.C.) High — lanky 6-4 Brennan Chambers. NC State didn’t offer him, but Marshall did and he’s committed to coach Tony Gibson’s program. He was selected to the Shrine Bowl.

What makes him unique is that even at his height, he’s slippery or elusive in space and take the catch and go. His best play was actually called back due to a teammates penalty, wiping out a 66-yard flanker screen for a touchdown.

Notes

Gardner doesn’t appear to have any FCS offers yet, but some players just have that competitive fire or that “it” factor. Whether at quarterback, wide receiver or in the secondary, 6-3, 185-pounder with an impressive grade-point average should find a home somewhere.

Kinston junior right tackle Edward Thompson, who is listed at 6-5 and 315 pounds with a big wingspan, could become a prospect for FCS programs or higher.

Kinston coach Ryan Gieselman and the players celebrated his 100th career victory. He took over as head coach in 2013.

Coming up

The Wolfpacker will have a story on Copper and a video package on him, which will be found here.

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