Dylan Autenrieth (left) with his high school quarterback, Kyle Banks (AJC)
It was that little bit of extra that enabled the North Carolina State Wolfpack to set their hook into one of Georgia's top tight end prospects, Dylan Autenrieth.
The 6-foot-5, 215-pounder from North Paulding High School is the 58 th best tight end in the nation and No. 126 overall prospect in the state,
Even though his recruitment process started later than he would’ve like, Autenrieth was more than grateful that NC State gave him an offer.
“It definitely means a lot knowing that they want me,” Autenrieth said. “I’m not just a commit there.”
When he was a freshman, Autenrieth was on the varsity basketball team and thought his future would be on the hard floor. Playing football was just another extracurricular sport until he started getting noticed as a threat at tight end.
"I was amazed and humbled when that first scholarship came in," he told the AJC. "After that first one, they kept coming in."
N.C. State’s extra effort to ask Autenrieth about his parents and his siblings had a big impact on his recruiting decision. While other recruiters sent the standard “how are you” text, NC State took the extra step and asked him about his parents and his siblings.
“They would want to know about my personal life,” Autenrieth said.
The visit from N.C. State offensive coordinator, Matt Canada, to emphasize the school’s interest in him had a big impact on his impression of the university. Autenrieth also got the chance to meet with NC State tight end Cole Cook, also a Georgia product, when he visited the school. Autenrieth stated that he had never met any players on any of his previous visits, but his interaction with Cook made him feel comfortable that he made the right choice.
“He’s just a kid that I look up to right now, and I want to be like him when I get there,” he said. “I can’t wait to be his teammate.”
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