Redshirt sophomore wide receiver Jakobi Meyers is showing flashes of greatness on the gridiron for the NC State football team.
Meyers was recruited to NC State to play quarterback; however, after knee surgery forced him to redshirt a year, and redshirt junior quarterback Ryan Finley arrived from Boise State, Meyers was converted to play wide receiver — and it’s finally starting to pay off.
“It was a long grind full of ups and downs,” Meyers said. “It’s a lot of hard work, a lot of long nights and early mornings, but I stayed true to it. I trusted [wide receiver coach George McDonald] and he put a lot of work and trust in me, and I think I am starting to fully see it.”
Switching positions is never easy, but Meyers has had an impressive sample size when studying what a true wide receiver is. Redshirt junior Stephen Louis and sophomore Kelvin Harmon are having standout campaigns, combining for 61 receptions, 899 yards and four touchdowns this year.
Meyers often gets lost in the shuffle alongside the big-bodied wideouts who have at least one jaw-dropping catch per game. While they might receive most of the acclaim, Meyers has found his own niche in the Wolfpack offense.
“[Meyers] is a real shifty guy,” Finley said. “He can beat man-to-man coverage, he’s smart and really quick side-to-side. And obviously he’s got miraculous hands, he can go up and grab anything.”
Meyers easily could have been put on the backburner in the minds of NC State coaches; instead, he molded into an offensive weapon in the passing game.
Meyers’ 6-foot-2, 203-pound frame provides an intriguing matchup for opposing defensive backs. He is taller than your typical slot receiver, but equally as fast. Meyers is becoming a clutch performer, often Finley’s go-to guy on third down conversions.
“I feel like I am more of a possession receiver,” Meyers said. “Where if you need a first down, I can go get it. But [Louis and Harmon] make those amazing plays. …They give me something to work towards completing my game.”
Meyers might not have completely developed his game, but he has already made leaps and bounds. Last year as a redshirt freshman, he recorded 13 receptions for 158 yards, seeing action in every contest. In just seven games this year, Meyers has already hauled in 26 catches for 309 yards and three touchdowns, tied with senior all-purpose back Jaylen Samuels for first on the team in receiving touchdowns.
After sitting out the 49-16 home win over Furman due to a poor week of practice, Meyers exploded onto the scene against then-No. 12 Florida State. The Lithonia, Georgia, native caught five passes for 112 yards, including a 71-yard catch ending in a spontaneous flip into the end zone for the score.
“We all knew how good of an athlete he was,” Finley said. “And it’s really awesome to see it’s starting to come out.”
The Wolfpack has no shortage of offensive firepower. Harmon and Louis are intimidating figures and incredible jump-ball threats in the red zone. Samuels, though listed as a tight end, is a jack-of-all-trades, tied ninth in the FBS with 10 total touchdowns. Junior running back Nyheim Hines is coming into his own, ranking second in the ACC in rushing yards and averaging 5.6 yards per carry. Now, Meyers’ versatility is added to NC State’s arsenal.
Against all odds, Meyers is starting at wide receiver for NC State. He patiently transitioned to wide receiver, and now he is reaping the benefits of his hard work.
Most players fight position changes, but Meyers embraced his.
“Being a natural doesn’t get you anywhere anymore,” Meyers said. “Once you get to this level, everybody is talented. You have to take those little steps that push you over the top.”
