BREAKING: Ronnie Royal III commits to NC State
NC State picked up a commitment from On Industry three-star Alexandria (Ala.) Gulf Shores School athlete Ronnie Royal III Friday morning. He is the highest-ranked member of the Wolfpack’s 2024 recruiting class with an On3 Industry Rating of 89.06.
NC State is recruiting Royal as a defensive back.
After officially visiting NC State on June 16-18, it did not take long for the hard-hitting DB to shut down his recruitment and join the program. He picked NC State over Boston College. Royal also held offers from Florida State, South Carolina and others.
The 5-11, 175-pounder’s official visit with the Wolfpack was also his first time on campus, and the program left a great impression.
“It really did feel like home,” Royal said. “They treated me like I was at home.”
Royal was a clear priority for NC State’s staff ever since the program extended an offer Jan. 26.
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Wolfpack safety Devan Boykin hosted him during his visit, and Royal said he meshed well with the recruits and players on campus.
“They were really cool, really nice, really outgoing, just really straight-up,” Royal said. “They wanted me to feel like I was at home, and it definitely did.”
His official trip to Raleigh played a significant role in his decision. He spent June 9-11 at Boston College.
“At first, I didn’t even know if I wanted to go to NC State because I had never been, but I knew they were a school recruiting me hard,” Royal said. “I knew what they needed me for, but now I understand why they need me.”
The On3 Industry Ranking has Royal rated the No. 409 prospect in the country, the No. 18 athlete nationally and the No. 23 recruit in Alabama. Rivals, ESPN and 247Sports all consider him a four-star prospect. He told TheWolfpacker.com that he could play safety, nickel and even some cornerback for the program.
During his junior season with Gulf Shores, the dynamic athlete made 39 tackles, 2 for loss, and picked off 2 passes. Offensively, he rushed for 1,147 yards and 24 touchdowns, adding 876 yards and 8 more touchdowns receiving as well.
NC State now holds three defensive back commits in the 2024 class— three-star cornerback Asaad Brown II, three-star safety Brody Barnhardt and Royal. The Wolfpack’s class now holds 9 total commitments, ranks No. 54 nationally and No. 11 in the ACC. Royal is also the sixth out-of-state commit.
