Pack Adds Two O-Linemen, Safety

Head coach Tom O'Brien's Wolfpack hasn't played a game since November 27, but that doesn't mean his staff hasn't been busy. The Pack have received three commitments in the past week, bringing the total number of 2011 commitments for the Pack to 13, of their 14 available scholarships.

After two-star Lawrence Academy (MA) running back Tony Knight de-committed from the Pack on December 14, Tom O'Brien and staff wasted little time filling his spot. Losing Knight meant little to the Pack, as their top two rushers from the 2010 season were true freshman Mustafa Greene, and red shirt-freshman Dean Haynes.

Instead the Pack went to an area where Tom O'Brien made a living off of at Boston College: the offensive line. This week the Pack added two linemen to help stabilize their line for the future.

First, Kettering, OH Archbishop Alter lineman Joe Thuney verbally committed to play for NC State. The three star prospect is Scout.com's 92nd best tackle in the class, and is quite athletic for his size- he earned an Honorable Mention for All-District in basketball in 2009. Thuney has the height (6-5) to play in the ACC, but his weight (235) will need to increase for him to be a productive part of the line- I suspect that will happen once he gets on campus.

Then two-star lineman Alex Barr de-committed from Vanderbilt, and gave NC State his verbal commitment after Robbie Caldwell was fired. Barr (6-7, 285) of Fayetteville, GA Stars Mill was said to be at the top of Vanderbilt's O-Line board, and clearly has the size to make a difference for the Pack once he is needed. He is ranked as the 131st best tackle in the 2011 class.

In between the signings of the two offensive linemen, the Pack also improved their defensive secondary. Henderson, NC Southern Vance safety Hakim Jones chose NC State as well. The two-way star also played wide receiver for Southern Vance, and at 6-2, 190 he'll come to State as an athlete and Tom O'Brien and staff will figure out where he'll play during the summer.

After these three signings, the Pack has just one scholarship left. They hope to land Wadesboro, NC Anson linebacker Stephone Anthony, who is currently the top ranked recruit in North Carolina. NC State is on Anthony's short list, and the Pack hope that the fourth best outside linebacker in the class will enjoy his last official visit, a trip to Raleigh on January 29. It looks like State will have to wait until after their bowl game on December 28 against West Virginia, and his visit in mid-January before they hear any news from Anthony.

As always, for breaking news on NC State football and basketball recruiting, follow me on Twitter @FirstandShort.