One of North Carolina’s most dynamic athletes is staying home — and changing positions. Clayton High School standout Aiden Smalls announced Tuesday that he has flipped his commitment from Rice to NC State.
Smalls had committed to Rice in April as a quarterback and took an official visit to the Owls’ campus in Houston in mid-June. But the Wolfpack recruited him as a wide receiver earlier in his prep career when he played at Raleigh’s Cardinal Gibbons, and he’ll now join NC State’s 2026 class with a new role and a fresh opportunity to shine in the ACC.
“After a lot of thought and prayer, I’ve decided to decommit from Rice University and flip my commitment to NC State,” Smalls posted on X on July 8. “Being recruited by a program that saw my talent early—back in 9th grade—and never stopped believing in me means everything. That kind of loyalty goes a long way with me. It feels right. It feels like home. So that’s where I’m staying.”
Smalls starred at quarterback for Clayton last fall, throwing for 1,948 yards and 24 touchdowns while rushing for 1,006 yards and 12 more scores. His blend of speed, vision and open-field ability made him one of the most electric playmakers in the state — and earned him a long list of FBS offers.
While some programs saw him as a quarterback, others projected him at receiver or athlete. Rice, under former Davidson head coach Scott Abell, pursued him as a perfect fit for their new triple-option style offense. But NC State’s long-term vision and belief in Smalls’ potential as a receiver won out.
The Wolfpack were one of the first schools to offer Smalls and remained involved throughout the recruiting process. That persistence helped turn the tide and bring the 6-1, 175-pound playmaker to Raleigh.
🔥 Notable Stats and Honors
- 🏆 Greater Neuse River Conference Offensive Player of the Year
- 🏆 North Carolina Underclassmen of the Year
- 🏈 Three-time All-Conference selection
- 🏈 All-State Top 22 (twice)
- 📰 919 Player of the Week (six times)
- ⭐ Rated 3-star athlete by Rivals.com
📊 About Aiden Smalls
- 📍 Hometown: Clayton, NC
- 🎓 High School: Clayton Comets
- 🧢 Head Coach: Scott Chadwick
- 📚 GPA: 3.8
- 📏 Height/Weight: 6-1, 175
- 🎯 Offers: NC State, Duke, ECU, App State, Boston College, Coastal Carolina, JMU, Liberty, Troy, Virginia Tech, Rice, Bethune-Cookman
