By Alec Nederveld
Few players had the freshman season that KC Concepcion did. The Charlotte, NC (Julius L. Chambers) native was only a three-star and the eight-best of NC State’s 17-person, 43rd-ranked class. But he did not play like that from the start.
After a strong spring practice session, Concepcion was seen as somebody who could make an impact in his freshman season. Our own JC Nevils predicted him to breakout, stating he “will surely see the field early for the Wolfpack.”
Oh he saw the field alright.
Concepcion played in all 13 of the Wolfpack’s games. He started relatively slow, with only four receptions for 36 yards in the Wolfpacks’ season-opening win at UConn. Still, that led the team, beating out multiple fifth-year players who started their college careers when Concepcion was a high-school freshman. Through three games, he was at 16 receptions for 122 yards. That led the Wolfpack in both categories.
As NC State started ACC play, Concepcion stepped up in a huge way against Virginia. He went for six receptions, 116 yards, and two touchdowns. The rest of the team had only nine catches and 64 yards, and it would have certainly been a loss for the Wolfpack, who squeaked away on a walk-off field goal 24-21.
Two weeks later, Concepcion bounced back from his worst game (one catch, seven yards in a 13-10 loss to Louisville) for eight receptions, 102 yards, and two more touchdowns. Again, NC State needed all of it, winning a shootout 48-41 over Marshall with a new quarterback. Brennan Armstrong, who started the first five games was benched in favorite of MJ Morris.
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Three more weeks passed, and the Wolfpack just finished their bye week at 4-3, set to welcome Clemson into town. Concepcion his team with five receptions, 83 passing yards, 51 rushing yards, and the only two offensive touchdowns. More importantly, it started a five-game winning streak for NC State.
Throughout the streak, Concepcion totaled 100+ total yards in all games except one. He navigated a second quarterback change (MJ Morris redshirted after four games to preserve eligibility) and most of the best teams on the roster. NC State finished 9-3, tying the best regular season record under Dave Doeren. The Wolfpack couldn’t top Kansas State, losing 28-19, ending one of the best freshman seasons in the country.
In total, Concepcion had 71 receptions, 839 yards, 10 receiving touchdowns, 41 carries, 320 yards on the ground, and a passing touchdown. No true freshman topped him in the receiving categories, and the numbers were good for the third-most receptions, fourth-most yards, and second-most touchdowns in the ACC. He was a no-brainer selection as the ACC Rookie of the Year and a Freshman All-American by almost all publications.
While Concepcion did most of his work in the slot, NC State did just about everything to get the ball in his hands, especially as the year went on. This included snaps on the outside, at running back, and even wildcat QB. The Pack also ran multiple trick plays and lots of misdirection to get the ball in Concepcion’s hands in the open field, where he’s most dangerous.
Even with Concepcion’s impressive numbers, his true impact can not be felt until you compare him to his peers. Most of the top receivers had a talented surrounding cast, taking defensive pressure off and allowing more 1-on-1 matchups. Marvin Harrison Jr. had an Emeka Egbuka, Malik Nabers had Brian Thomas Jr, Rome Odunze had Ja’Lynn Polk, and the list goes on. Kevin Concepcion had Kevon Lesane, with 28 receptions, 247 yards, and no touchdowns. And defenses still couldn’t stop him.
NC State didn’t even have much of a running game to rely on. QB Brennan Armstrong, despite his benching was the leading rusher with 665 yards, Concepcion was second on the roster, and the team was tenth in the ACC, averaging 156.5 yards a game.
The defense, led by Bednarik Award winner LB Payton Wilson was the strength of the team. They’ve always been good under Doeren and 2023 had arguably the best defense in his tenure. For as many games that Concepcion carried the load on offense in a win, Wilson and the defense did just as much, if not more. But he’s now gone, a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. And with that, 2024 could look very different in Raleigh, in the stat sheet and the polls.
Why 2024 can be even bigger for KC Concepcion and NC State
First, Dave Doeren stepped out of his comfort zone and went into the Transfer Portal. After adding 13 total players in the four previous years, he returned with 15 players in a class ranked as high as seventh nationally, per On3.
To me, the biggest addition is QB Grayson McCall, one that will be particularly beneficial for Concepcion. Coming from Coastal Carolina, the Indian Trail, NC native has over 10,000 career passing yards, three Sun Belt Player of the Year trophies, and set the single-season passing efficiency record in 2021.
Past McCall, OSU transfer Noah Rogers looks to give Concepcion the running mate on the outside he didn’t have last year. Rogers was a high four-star recruit who couldn’t crack the field at Ohio State, but many great receivers can’t. Former UConn TE Justin Joly should also help the cause, he led the Huskies with 56 catches and 578 yards a season ago. Lastly, Duke transfer RB Jordan Waters, coming off over 800 yards and 12 touchdowns a year ago should provide a presence on the ground that was severely lacking a year ago.
In addition, NC State has a very workable schedule in 2024 for Concepcion to put up big numbers. A neutral-site week two game vs Tennessee looks to be the season’s toughest outing. That, and a trip to Death Valley and Clemson in week four will show the trajectory of the team, similar to Florida State from a season ago.
If you can win both games, you’ll be a favorite to win every remaining game, put yourself in the ACC Championship Game, the playoff, and who knows past that.
The path is set for Dave Doeren and the Pack to finally get over that hump, reach the 10-win mark, and have a historic season. KC Concepcion is also in a position to solidify himself as one of the game’s best receivers, offensive weapons, and even players. I think he will, getting to around 70-75 receptions, 1,200 yards receiving, with another 200 on the ground and 10 touchdowns again.
The path is far from foolproof, but it’s certainly there, and I really want to see what happens with this player and team in the fall.
