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Charlotte native Kevin Concepcion knew he was going to impact North Carolina college football at a high level. The only question was whether it would be at North Carolina State or the University of North Carolina. In high school, Concepcion leaned toward the Tar Heels.
Concepcion’s high school teammate at Julius L. Chambers High School, Sean Walker Jr., recalled a game during their sophomore season where Concepcion’s desire to go to UNC was apparent. Concepcion scored multiple times against Highland Springs (Virginia), and after each big play, he approached the camera wearing UNC gloves, Walker Jr. said.
UNC didn’t offer Concepcion until the end of his junior season, while the Wolfpack offered him in the middle of 2021.
“I think it bothered him because he preached so much ‘I’m going to Chapel Hill, I’m going to Chapel Hill,’” Walker Jr. said. “He told me that’s where he (wanted) to be … but they just never showed him that love he was looking for.”
Concepcion ultimately chose NC State, and hasn’t regretted his choice. In 2023, Concepcion set program records for a freshman in receptions (71) and receiving touchdowns (10). The wide receiver’s performances earned him Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Year. Now as a sophomore, Concepcion is leading the Wolfpack into their game versus Syracuse Saturday.
“He’s electrifying,” SU head coach Fran Brown said of Concepcion during Monday’s press conference. “He’s a guy that’s explosive, a gadget player, but he also can beat you deep, like he’s just a complete wide receiver.”
Concepcion was the first true freshman receiver to start a season opener for the Wolfpack since Bo Hines in 2014. In the eyes of his high school coach Glenwood Ferebee, he didn’t look like a typical freshman.
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Ferebee knew NC State was comfortable using its star freshman all over the field. No matter where Concepcion lined up, Ferebee said he played at “100 miles per hour.”
“He’s so quick and so fast,” Ferebee said. “His first 20 yards is one of the fastest I’ve seen in a long time.”
Concepcion turned it on in November, with marquee performances against Virginia Tech — who Ferebee worked for at the time — and North Carolina.
Against the Hokies in the first quarter, Concepcion lined up in the backfield on a fourth-and-one with the score tied 0-0. He quickly burst out to the flat, catching a pass from Brennan Armstrong and reaching across the pylon for a score.
Later in the second quarter, Concepcion blew by his defender on a go-route, catching his second touchdown of the day. Concepcion then produced his third score of the day, taking a handoff to the outside, and then throwing it downfield to Trent Pennix for a 17-yard touchdown. His three scores helped NC State defeat Virginia Tech 35-28.
“They asked me about (Concepcion), and I told them, ‘You better not leave him one-on-one,’” Ferebee said. “We did. Then he put three touchdowns on us that day.”
Coming off his strong showing versus VT, Concepcion had an opportunity for revenge against UNC. He tore up the Tar Heels, tallying seven catches for 131 yards and two touchdowns along with 55 rushing yards.
“The UNC game was a major game for him as far as playing with a chip on his shoulder,” Ferebee said. “It was the ‘I’m gonna show you what you’re missing out on’ mentality.”
NC State finished 6-2 in conference play, while Concepcion in those matchups averaged five catches, 67.9 yards and one touchdown per game with four separate multi-score games.
Now, as a sophomore, Concepcion has taken an even larger role within NC State’s offense. He’s received more red zone targets along with more looks on deep routes.
Kevin Concepcion has 37 receptions, 266 receiving yards and four touchdowns thus far into 2024. Photo courtesy of NC State Athletics
Though now, Concepcion will be forced to catch passes from backup CJ Bailey. Starter Grayson McCall suffered a head injury against Wake Forest following a collision with three defenders. Concepcion is set to be a go-to option for Bailey, a true freshman, in his third start.
Concepcion only recorded four catches for five yards in Bailey’s most recent game as a starter, a 24-17 victory for NC State over Northern Illinois University.
In 2024, defenses have keyed on Concepcion. The slot receiver is averaging 7.5 touches per game, but less than 30 yards. Despite the inconsistency, Concepcion’s freshman season has set him up for future success. Seven of the last 10 ACC Rookies of the Year have started NFL games at their respective positions.
After his special first season, Concepcion became the first NC State player to win Rookie of the Year honors since Russell Wilson in 2008.
Concepcion has a season and a half of college remaining before he may enter the NFL draft, but Ferebee has a sneaking suspicion he could join the other seven on that list.
“I think he can go out there and be a first-round draft pick and impact NFL teams the same way he does NC State,” Ferebee said.
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