NC State lands first 2028 football commit, tight end Te'Vaughn Bell

NC State turned its Alpha Wolf Showcase weekend at Carter-Finley Stadium into an early recruiting win, landing its first known commitment for the 2028 class from Elizabeth City Northeastern standout Te'Vaughn Bell. The rising junior informed the Wolfpack staff of his decision after visiting Raleigh, then made the pledge public shortly afterward.

Bell, who 247Sports lists at 6-foot-5 and 205 pounds, had been offered by NC State on June 18. The quick turnaround gave the annual summer showcase exactly the kind of payoff the program has hoped for, with the Wolfpack using the event to bring top prospects to campus and start relationships long before their recruiting cycles peak.

At Elizabeth City Northeastern High School, Bell put together a productive sophomore season on the football field. He caught 17 passes for 305 yards and seven touchdowns last fall, production that stands out even before factoring in his size and his multi-sport background. MaxPreps lists Bell as a junior in the class of 2028 and identifies him as a football and basketball player.

Bell’s basketball résumé adds another layer to his profile. One source said he averaged 16.1 points and 5.2 rebounds during his 10th-grade basketball season, evidence that he brings movement skills and coordination that can translate across sports. For NC State, that combination of length, production and local ties made him an appealing early target.

The commitment also matters because of where it happened. Raleigh remains the center of NC State’s football recruiting effort, and Carter-Finley Stadium is becoming a familiar stop for in-state prospects as the staff tries to build deeper North Carolina pipelines. Bell is not just another name in a far-off class; he is an in-state commitment in a cycle that still has years to unfold, and his pledge gives the Wolfpack an early marker in the 2028 group.