News Summary
Tre Aiken, a senior offensive tackle from Clinton High School, has committed to play football for NC State. This decision follows a 13-month recruiting journey and comes after receiving an offer from NC State’s head coach. At 6-foot-4 and 305 pounds, Aiken chose NC State over other finalists. His commitment is significant for NC State’s 2026 recruiting class, which now has 19 members, bolstering their efforts in South Carolina.
Clinton, South Carolina – Tre Aiken, a senior offensive tackle from Clinton High School, has officially committed to play football for NC State. The announcement was made in front of friends and family at his school on Saturday, marking a significant step in his recruiting journey.
Aiken’s commitment follows 13 months after he received an offer from NC State head coach Dave Doeren and his recruiting team. The 6-foot-4, 305-pound lineman is recognized as a three-star prospect and chose NC State over four other finalists: Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, Florida, and South Carolina. He confirmed his decision on social media, sharing a post expressing his excitement.
In addition to NC State, Aiken had received Division I offers from several notable programs, including West Virginia, Wake Forest, and Duke, among others. He is on track to graduate in December and plans to move to Raleigh as an early enrollee in January.
Aiken currently ranks as the No. 94 offensive tackle in the 247Sports 2026 Composite rankings. He is also ranked No. 1,196 overall and No. 19 among players from South Carolina. His commitment adds momentum to NC State’s recruiting efforts, as Aiken is the 18th commitment for the 2026 class, which currently consists of 19 members.
According to On3, the NC State 2026 recruiting class is ranked No. 61 in the nation and No. 14 within the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Aiken’s recruitment has been significantly influenced by his strong relationship with Garett Tujague, NC State’s assistant coach who has served as his lead recruiter for over a year. Their bond was formed during a camp in June 2024 when Aiken received his offer from the Wolfpack.
Throughout his recruitment process, Aiken made multiple visits to NC State, including an official visit this summer from June 6-8. He ultimately canceled an official visit to South Carolina, which was scheduled for two weeks after his commitment announcement to NC State.
Aiken is part of a growing 2026 recruiting class that includes various three-star players across multiple positions. Alongside him are other commitments such as offensive lineman Landry Brede, wide receiver Tyreek Copper, and cornerback Jordyn Best, among others.
NC State football has been proactive in strengthening its recruiting efforts, particularly aiming to enhance its footprint in South Carolina, where Aiken hails from. As the program looks forward to the upcoming seasons, Aiken’s commitment is expected to play a pivotal role in the team’s offensive line strategy.
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Additional Resources
- On3: Tre Aiken Commits to NC State
- Sports Illustrated: Tre Aiken Pledges Allegiance to NC State
- Pack Insider: Tre Aiken Commits to NC State
- Google Search: Tre Aiken NC State
- Sports Talk SC: Tre Aiken and South Carolina
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Tre Aiken
Author: STAFF HERE CLINTON
The HERE Clinton Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Clinton community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background: Local Roots in Clinton: Our team includes lifelong Clinton residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sale of the historic Crofts Block Building, Clinton’s equestrian heritage, and growth in local tech and education sectors (e.g., Clinton Technical College programs). Collective Experience: With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Clinton Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality: Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
