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Three-star receiver Xavier Stinson enjoys NC State official visit

2019_WP_Icon512x512by: The Wolfpacker06/11/25TheWolfpacker
Xavier Stinson
(Photo courtesy of Xavier Stinson)

By Noah Fleischman

When NC State wide receivers coach Joker Phillips extended an offer to Vero Beach (Fla.) three-star prospect Xavier Stinson last month, the route runner had a general idea of what the Wolfpack was about. But once he did more research, Stinson knew he needed to take an official visit.

“I already knew it was a big deal to play at NC State, they’re P4 and a winning team,” Stinson told TheWolfpacker.com. “The program itself is just amazing. When I put the program and how long the coaches have been together, it was a no-brainer that I had to give it a shot.”

The 6-foot-2, 195-pound wideout made his first trip to Raleigh this past weekend for his official visit. It was the second such trek he’s taken this month after he had gone to Florida Atlantic just before, but NC State was able to separate itself. 

Stinson raved about everything he experienced on the visit, from what the coaching staff told him to building a relationship with sophomore quarterback CJ Bailey and freshman wide receiver Teddy Hoffman, a pair of Florida natives. 

Bailey and Hoffman provided a first-person perspective of what the transition from high school to college would be like for Stinson, who seemed to appreciate that. He already knew Hoffman from playing against him in 7-on-7, while Bailey is a player that Stinson was aware of growing up in the Sunshine State. 

While the players were key in helping paint the complete picture of NC State, Stinson’s bond with Phillips only grew during his weekend with the Wolfpack. 

“I love Coach Joker,” Stinson said. “He’ll coach you, but he’ll also take time out of his day to make sure you’re good. The whole weekend we were bonding, that’s my guy. He’s a great coach, but if it gets to a certain point where he feels like he has to check up on you, he’s going to do that regardless.”

Stinson, who caught 43 passes for 740 yards and 7 touchdowns as a junior, was not only able to learn from NC State’s players and coaches, but he also leaned on his high school teammate, Florida State commit four-star athlete Efrem White, during the visit. 

The duo has considered the idea of playing together at the next level, and NC State could provide that. As they both went through the visit, Stinson and White consistently shared what they learned with each other. 

“It was good because I had one of my closest friends with me,” Stinson said of White. “We gave each other insights, and we talked about it every night. We came together and asked what we thought about it. We both loved it. We’ve got nothing negative to say about NC State.”

As Stinson thought of his trip to Raleigh, he couldn’t find any holes to poke in what the Wolfpack presented. Although he has a Michigan State visit set for June 20-22, Stinson appears close to making a decision, which could come as early as this week. 

In the meantime, the Pack’s coaching staff has put the program in a great spot with the wide receiver.

“What I love about NC State is they’re not afraid to tell you how it is,” Stinson said. “They’re not afraid to put their best out, and they’re not afraid to show you their best. They will go out of their way to make sure you know a specific thing or every detail, and if you understand it.”

Add in the Wolfpack’s surrounding elements — the sold-out crowds at Carter-Finley Stadium and the team’s culture — and Stinson appeared to enjoy every second of NC State’s sales pitch.

“Their fan base is amazing,” Stinson said. “Not only the fan base, the academics, the nutrition, strength and conditioning system — that ‘1Pack1Goal’ really goes a long way with NC State.”

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