ROCKINGHAM — Jakolbe Baldwin became the second Richmond Senior High School football player to announce he is foregoing his senior season to enroll early at college.
Three weeks to the day after teammate Caleb Hood said he would be enrolling this month at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Baldwin took to Twitter to say he was doing the same with North Carolina State University.
“I will be enrolling mid-year at NC State University,” Baldwin’s tweet read. His decision to not play his senior season this spring with the Raiders comes in the wake of the wide receiver signing his National Letter of Intent with the Wolfpack on Dec. 16.
Along with Baldwin and Hood, teammates Jaleel Davis (OL, N.C. State), Dalton Stroman (WR, Appalachian State) and C.J. Tillman (Campbell) all signed with Division I programs during the early signing period.
In a year engulfed in unprecedented circumstances caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Baldwin took several months to weigh his decision to head to Raleigh a semester early. His family and coaches were two of his biggest support systems.
“My mom played a big part in my decision,and she also felt it was best for me to make this decision,” Baldwin explained. “My mom and my coaches all felt like I should do what I felt was best for me and making this decision is the right choice.”
A two-year varsity starter, Baldwin impressed Richmond fans with his speed, toughness and quick hands during his sophomore and junior seasons. He also became one of Hood’s favorite targets during that span.
Playing in 25 games, Baldwin finished his career with 1,235 receiving yards, 69 receptions, 17 total touchdowns (16 receiving) and an average of 49.4 yards per game. The 6-1, 205-pound wideout averaged 17.9 yards per catch and his longest career haul was 52 yards.
In a breakout sophomore season that helped Richmond win its first conference title in a decade, Baldwin made 35 catches for 548 yards. He snagged eight receiving touchdowns and added his lone kickoff return score of his career, an 85-yard scamper against Hoke County.
A year later, which would prove to be his final season in green and gold, Baldwin recorded 34 catches for 687 yards and eight more touchdowns. He also recorded career-highs in single-game receptions (6) and receiving yards (124) against Myers Park in the third round of the playoffs.
“My favorite memory from playing football at Richmond is the Myers Park game from my junior year,” Baldwin said of his career night. “It’s definitely a game to remember. And the relationships I’ve built with my coaches and teammates are unbelievable.”
In his career, Baldwin caught a personal best two touchdowns in a game four different times. He did it against Pinecrest and Seventy-First his sophomore year, and Lumberton and Scotland his junior year. Baldwin also had 108 receiving yards against the Scots, his second career 100+ yard game.
“Being a Raider has shaped me in many different ways as a person and a player,” Baldwin reflected. “It taught me how to become a leader on and off the field and carry myself in a positive way.”
Bryan Till, who has been Richmond’s head coach since Baldwin’s freshman season, shared his excitement for the soon-to-be Wolfpack player.
“I’m extremely happy for the young man and I understand his decision, and I know it was a tough decision,” Till said. “I don’t like the opportunity to not to get to coach him because we love these kids and have enjoyed our time with him.
“We appreciate all that Jakolbe has done for our program,” he added. “This is a great opportunity for him and he’s getting this chance because he’s done all the right things. We’re excited to watch him on Saturdays.”
When helping players make the decision to enroll early or stay, Till said he emphasizes that every player’s situation is different. Creating a “pros and cons list” is always a helpful strategy.
“I tell them not to look at their buddy across the state or a teammate who’s also leaving early,” Till explained. “I want Jakolbe to know his situation, know where he would be on the depth chart, that he’ll get 14 or 15 college practices and that he’ll get to adapt to college life.
“But I also reminded him of the disadvantage of not playing in over a year,” he added. “I told him to think about all the practices and games he could play this spring. I wanted him to make the decision on his own, and I respect that decision.”
Baldwin will report to head coach Dave Doeren and North Carolina State on Jan. 16. Davis, who is also an N.C. State signee, will join the team over the summer. When Baldwin gets to Raleigh, he’s setting his eyes on his production in the classroom and on the field.
“At N.C. State, I just hope to do great in the classroom and on the field,” he said. “And I want to open eyes early and stand out to the coaches to earn a spot on the field early in my career.”
Baldwin will compete against fellow incoming freshman wide receiver signees Micah Crowell (East Forsyth) and Julian Gray (Hopewell).
When Richmond takes the field in February for a shortened seven-game season, the Raiders will have Stroman and a platoon of other wideouts looking to step up and fill the gap. Junior slot receiver Kellan Hood is expected to contend for the starting quarterback job.
“We’ll be transitioning a little bit and that will give other guys the opportunity to catch some balls,” Till said. “Jarrod Morrison will get the chance to step up and have a great year, and we expect Dalton to continue to be a great player.”
“I’d like to thank all of my coaches and teachers for helping me become the person I am today, and for helping me become successful to this point in my life,” Baldwin closed.
“Once a Raider, always a Raider.”
