RALEIGH, N.C. — NC State has flipped Clayton (N.C.) standout Aiden Smalls from Rice, securing a commitment from the versatile 2026 athlete. Though Smalls currently plays quarterback for the Clayton Comets, he’s expected to transition to wide receiver at the college level with the Wolfpack.
Smalls initially committed to Rice on April 25, choosing the Owls over offers from NC State, Virginia Tech, Duke, Coastal Carolina, Liberty, ECU, and several others. That decision came shortly after he visited NC State for its final spring practice — a trip that left a lasting impression.
“It was a great feeling being back on campus,” Smalls said. “It just felt like being back at home. The coaching staff feels like family. I had a great feeling when I was there — I felt very comfortable.”
He added, “The coaches were on the players, coaching them hard, but still made it fun. The staff knows how to enjoy the process while keeping the intensity high.”
Having played multiple positions at both Cardinal Gibbons and Clayton, Smalls was recruited as an athlete and drew interest from NC State at several spots. Despite the Wolfpack already having a quarterback committed in the 2026 class, Smalls’ athleticism made him a priority for lead recruiters Kurt Roper and Joker Phillips.
During his most recent visit, Smalls had a one-on-one meeting with head coach Dave Doeren that went beyond football.
“Our conversation was mostly about my family,” Smalls said. “He asked about how my dad was doing, how my high school team was looking — it meant a lot. He cares about your life and the people close to you, and that’s a really good thing.”
In his junior season, Smalls completed 130 of 214 passes (61 percent) for 1,948 yards with 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also rushed 150 times for 1,006 yards and 12 touchdowns. He’s currently rated the No. 100 quarterback in the 2026 class and the No. 54 overall player in North Carolina.
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