Incoming NC State Football Defender Nabs JUCO All-American Distinction
Second-year Pearl River Community College (Miss.) standout AJ Prim revealed his NC State football pledge in mid-November, less than a week after checking out the program in person. Just over a month later, the 6-foot-3, 225-pound defensive end landed the well-deserved National Junior College Athletic Association First Team All-America Defense tag this week.
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Prim, who was unrated as a prep but is now a three-star transfer prospect, ranks No. 15 overall, up five spots since his commitment to Wolfpack head coach Dave Doeren and his crew, while checking in at No. 7 among defensive linemen in the 247Sports JUCO Rankings. And he remains the lone JUCO prize in the 19-deep 2025 NC State football recruiting collection.
The Mississippi native is set to enroll at NC State in early January.
As a breakout sophomore for the Pearl River Wildcats, Prim saw action in eight contests, combining for 49 tackles, including nine for a loss, 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one recovered fumble, one interception, and one pass deflection. That's not to mention a touchdown on defense.
At the moment, Dave Doeren and his staff stack up at No. 42 overall and No. 9 among ACC teams in the 2025 recruiting arena, per 247Sports. AJ Prim is the highest-ranked talent among the three defensive linemen in the NC State football class.
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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.