Kinston's Tyreek Copper Commits to NC State, Adds Power 5 to Offer Sheet

Jun 23

Jun 23 Kinston's Tyreek Copper Commits to NC State, Adds Power 5 to Offer Sheet

KINSTON, N.C. — Kinston High School wide receiver Tyreek Copper, one of North Carolina’s top recruits in the Class of 2026, announced his verbal commitment to NC State on Saturday, June 21, during an official visit to Raleigh.

Copper, a 6-foot-2, 190-pound three-year starter, chose the Wolfpack just three days after receiving an offer from head coach Dave Doeren’s staff. The commitment marks a significant addition to NC State’s 2026 recruiting class and comes after Copper compiled 171 receptions, 2,648 yards, and 33 touchdowns through his first three high school seasons.

His junior season was his most productive yet, catching 77 passes for 1,391 yards and 16 touchdowns, averaging 18.1 yards per catch and 99.4 yards per game. Copper helped lead Kinston to a 9-5 overall record and a fourth-round playoff run in the 2A East bracket.

Copper is the son of former East Carolina and NFL wide receiver Terrance Copper, who spent nine seasons in the league. While his father starred at ECU, the Pirates never extended an offer to Tyreek — a notable omission as the wideout’s recruitment began to gain traction statewide and beyond.

His recruitment opened with a February 23 offer from Gardner-Webb and quickly expanded to include Elon (Feb. 25), Cornell (Mar. 5), Campbell (Mar. 18), and NC Central (Mar. 26). Charleston Southern followed on March 29, and the spring continued with offers from Princeton (Apr. 8), Bryant and Army (Apr. 15), Navy (May 4), Richmond (May 8), and Air Force (May 17).

Despite interest from multiple FCS programs and Ivy League schools, NC State became Copper’s first and only Power Five offer on June 18. He committed three days later.

Copper is entering his senior season with a chance to eclipse 3,000 career receiving yards and 200 career catches — production that ranks among the best in North Carolina over the past decade.

He is expected to be one of the top returning wide receivers in the state for 2025 and will lead a Kinston team now playing in a newly aligned conference for the upcoming season.