QB recruit switches from N.C. State to UNC

N.C. State's football team added a quarterback and lost one Thursday.

Pete Thomas, who started for two seasons at Colorado State, will transfer to N.C. State while recruit James Summers, from Greensboro Page, has switched his commitment to the University of North Carolina.

Thomas' timing works out well for the Wolfpack's quarterback situation, post-Mike Glennon. Under NCAA rules, Thomas has to sit out the 2012 season, which will be Glennon's last.

Thomas, who's built like Glennon at 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds, will then have two seasons to play for the Wolfpack.

"I think it's a great fit," Thomas said Thursday. "I'll have a chance to learn from Mike."

Thomas started 21 games in two seasons for the Rams, throwing for 4,269 yards with 18 touchdowns and 21 interceptions. When CSU fired coach Steve Fairchild, Thomas left the school and started looking for a new program.

A native of El Cajon, Calif., he was recruited by N.C. State out of high school but originally chose Arizona State before going to Colorado State.

"It was always a place I liked," Thomas said of N.C. State.

Summers quarterbacked Greensboro Page past Garner in the state 4AA football championship in December.

At 6-3, 205 pounds, Summers showed his versatility in Page's 35-21 victory over Garner. He completed 11 of 16 passes for 131 yards and two touchdowns. He rushed 14 times for 116 yards, including a key 55-yard run after Garner pulled to within 21-14 in the third quarter.

Summers even intercepted a pass in the title game.

For the season, Summers completed 93 of 186 passes for 1,506 yards, 20 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He also rushed for 1,632 yards and 22 touchdowns on 185 carries while leading Page to a 15-0 overall record.

Chad Simmons, the regional manager of football recruiting in the Southeast for scout.com, called Summers' decision to switch schools "huge."

"Any time a staff can come in and target and take away one of the top recruits from its rival, it is really big," Simmons said. "You play those guys every year, and this is something that can make a difference for four or five years."

Mike Farrell, the national recruiting analyst for rivals.com, said there were very few difference-makers on the recruiting trail in North Carolina, but that Summers is one.

"He is a terrific fit for the system that Carolina will run," Farrell said. "North Carolina had not recruited that well this year, and Summers really helps the class."

It's the second quarterback recruit who switched to UNC and new coach Larry Fedora this month.

Fedora earlier got a committed from Kanler Coker of Flowery Branch, Ga. Coker previously committed to East Carolina.

Summers' verbal commitment is not binding for the school or the player. Players may sign binding national letters of intent Feb. 1.