N.C. State wide receiver KC Concepcion (10) breaks away from North Carolina linebacker Caleb LaVallee (34) during the first half of N.C. State’s game against UNC at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.
Ethan Hyman
ehyman@newsobserver.com
RALEIGH
Only 20 hours elapsed between N.C. State football’s rivalry win over North Carolina and the announcement of its first transfer portal entrant Sunday.
Wide receiver Kevin “KC” Concepcion intends to enter the transfer portal after two seasons with the Wolfpack. He confirmed the decision on his Instagram story Sunday night.
Concepcion played 25 games and recorded 1,299 receiving yards on 124 catches and 16 touchdowns. He set the N.C. State freshman record for receiving touchdowns (10) and receptions (71) last fall.
His efficiency dropped in the his second year. Concepcion went from 839 yards on 71 catches for 64.5 yards per game in 2023 to 460 yards on 53 receptions and 38.3 yards per game in 2024. He scored 10 receiving touchdowns last year and just six this season.
N.C. State wide receiver KC Concepcion (10) takes one last look at Kenan Stadium before heading to the locker room after the Wolfpack’s 35-30 victory over UNC at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
The Charlotte native finished with just one 100-yard game this season when he notched 121 yards and three touchdowns. He did not have another multi-receiving touchdown game this season.
Concepcion’s efficiency in the ground game also dropped drastically. He finished 2023 with 320 rushing yards on 41 attempts, averaging 7.8 yards per carry.
In 2024, he completed the regular season with 36 yards on 19 carries to average 1.9 yards per attempt. However, he added two rushing scores.
Concepcion is the first major Wolfpack contributor to announce his decision to leave the program, which went 6-6 overall and 3-5 in ACC play. He won the 2023 ACC Rookie of the Year and Offensive Rookie of the Year awards, while earning Freshman All-America and True Freshman of the Year honors from On3 Sports.
The sophomore’s decision to pursue other opportunities comes after his younger brother, Arrion Concepcion, committed to N.C. State in January but decommitted on Nov. 17. Arrion Concepcion flipped his recruitment to Kansas State last week.
N.C. State wide receiver KC Concepcion (10) greets a fan after N.C. State’s 59-28 victory over Stanford at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State wide receiver KC Concepcion (10) pulls in a long reception while defended by Syracuse defensive back Duce Chestnut (0) during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Syracuse at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State offensive tackle Jacarrius Peak (65) celebrates with wide receiver KC Concepcion (10) after Concepcion scored on a touchdown run during the second half of N.C. State’s 59-28 victory over Stanford at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State wide receiver KC Concepcion (10) celebrates after scoring on a 11-yard touchdown reception during the first half of N.C. State’s game against UNC at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Grayson Ketchie plays ball with N.C. State football players including KC Concepcion, left, at Grayson’s home in Garner Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023. Ketchie, 12, has been suffering from severe neurological issues since he was a baby. He has been a Wolfpack fan since he was three and the players made a surprise visit to his home that evening. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s KC Concepcion (10) breaks free on a 65-yard run during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Wake Forest at Allegacy Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State wide receiver KC Concepcion (10) laughs with linebacker Payton Wilson (11) after N.C. State’s 24-17 victory over Clemson at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State wide receiver KC Concepcion greets Sam Hening during Victory Day at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, August 2, 2024. Victory Day is a partnership between the Wolfpack and GiGi’s Playhouse, a Down Syndrome achievement center in Raleigh. The event provided 52 cognitively and physically impaired people the chance to be football stars for the night. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State head coach Dave Doeren hugs wide receiver KC Concepcion (10) after he scored on a six-yard touchdown reception during the first half of N.C. State’s game against UNC at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
This story was originally published December 1, 2024 at 5:43 PM.
