Certainly Not a Surprise-NC State Football Gets One Reward in Pursuit of Two-Sport Star

By landing a chance to roll out the red carpet in Raleigh, NC State football looks like a top contender for Aiden Smalls.

In early September 2023, NC State became the first FBS program to offer a scholarship to Aiden Smalls, a three-star quarterback from the 2026 class who plays for Clayton High School (N.C.) and also takes on a leadership role on the basketball court.

The 6-foot-1, 175-pound standout athlete has visited Carter-Finley Stadium multiple times while his recruitment has continued to gain momentum. He now holds nine offers, including ones from Duke, Virginia Tech, East Carolina, Coastal Carolina, Appalachian State, and Liberty.

It was no surprise when Smalls, just weeks after his most recent visit to NC State, secured an official visit with 13th-year head coach Dave Doeren and his staff. The campus visit, set for June 20-22, will be his first official visit to any program.

As a dual-threat junior quarterback for the 10-2 Clayton Comets last season, Smalls completed 130 of 214 passes for 1,948 yards, 24 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions, earning a 114.4 quarterback rating. He also showcased his rushing ability, amassing 1,006 yards and 12 touchdowns on 150 carries.

In addition to his football talents, Smalls is a standout on the basketball court, serving as a scoring threat, playmaker, and strong defender for the 2024-25 Clayton Comets, who hold a 16-8 overall record and an 11-3 mark in conference play.

Meanwhile, NC State football has already secured four early verbal commitments for the 2026 class, all rated as three-star prospects, including Reagan High School (N.C.) quarterback Jacob Smith.

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