ECU Linebacker Zakye Barker Advertises NC State Football Offer
By the time NC State football (6-6, 3-5 ACC) squares off against the ECU Pirates (7-5, 5-3 AAC) at the Go Bowling Military Bowl in Annapolis, Md., on Saturday, Dec. 28, at 5:45 p.m. ET (ESPN), one member of the 2024 Pirates roster might be gearing up for a move to Raleigh as an NC State transfer addition in ECU redshirt sophomore linebacker Zakye Barker.
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Of course, the Wolfpack coaches, looking to add depth at linebacker for next season, must first secure a commitment from the 5-foot-11, 225-pound Georgia native. But they've already taken the first step toward that end by extending an offer to Barker this week.
Barker, who entered the transfer portal on Monday with two years of eligibility remaining, revealed the offer from Dave Doeren & Co. late Thursday night:
Blessed to receive an offer from NC State ! pic.twitter.com/RbEEnMu5qo
— Zakye Barker (@ZakyeBarker) December 13, 2024
State isn't alone in courting the former three-star recruit out of Norcross High School.
No, within the past five days, Zakye Barker also advertised offers from Houston, West Virginia, SMU, Georgia Tech, Virginia, Cincinnati, Memphis, and Virginia Tech. Plus, he's reported interest from a couple of West Coast schools in Arizona and UCLA.
🎥 https://t.co/rk8c4abXKd pic.twitter.com/1HDOJsdDJs
— Zakye Barker (@ZakyeBarker) December 10, 2024
As a sophomore, Barker landed on the All-AAC Second Team after recording 86 tackles, a team-high 12.0 tackles for a loss, and 2.0 sacks. He totaled at least eight tackles in all but two of his 11 outings.
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Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of NC State Wolfpack on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining NC State Wolfpack on SI in 2024, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.