NC State’s KC Concepcion gives back to community, scores TDs, chases NFL dream

Charlotte’s K.C. Concepcion will go for some history Saturday when N.C. State plays Tennessee in the Duke’s Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium.

Concepcion, a 19-year-old sophomore, has six games with multiple touchdown catches in his career. Only one N.C. State player — five-time Pro Football Hall of Fame nominee Torry Holt — has more.

Holt had seven his career, from 1995-98.

On Saturday — when the No. 24 ranked Wolfpack plays the No. 14 ranked Volunteers — Concepcion will play the second game of his sophomore season and he could tie Holt’s record.

“This is a statement game for us,” Concepcion said. “We feel like we’re underdogs and we have no problem being the underdog. I’ve been an underdog my whole life. So really, we are going out there and play N.C. State football, and that should lead us to the win.”

Concepcion said he’s excited to be playing in his hometown, where he was a star at state power Julius Chambers High School. He’s also excited about his foundation, which is hosting a special Saturday back-to- school event. He’s using his NIL money to help pay for it.

“I just felt like mentoring younger kids and being an outlet for the youth is really important,” said Concepcion, 19. “When I was growing up, I didn’t really have that. It wasn’t really around as much. So I just want to help out in the community in as many ways as possible.”

Concepcion came up with the idea for his foundation, which started this year, after talking to his mother, Arriel, his family members and his agent. The foundation’s first event was providing lunches at a Mecklenburg sheriff’s summer camp. It also plans a Halloween event in Raleigh in October.

“K.C. has always been a people person, and he’s always been a giver,” Arriel Concepcion said. “He’s the last player to go into the locker room because he’s out there spending that one-on-one time. It’s just the kind of person he is and kind of why we wanted to start the non-profit to give back to the community.”

At N.C. State, Concepcion is a fan favorite — and a star.

He caught nine passes for 121 yards and three touchdowns in a 38-21 win over Western Carolina last week. He won ACC receiver of the week and looks like a serious contender for conference player of the year.

Last season, Concepcion set Wolfpack freshman school records with 71 catches and 10 receiving touchdowns. The 71 catches was sixth-best in school history. His 839 yards was 14th best in school history and the second best ever for an N.C. State freshman.

After the season, Concepcion was named ACC rookie of the year and four publications named him a freshman All-American. All of a sudden, his dreams of playing in Raleigh for three years and declaring for the NFL Draft started to come into real focus.

“I always thought it was possible because of the drive and ambition that K.C. has,” Arriel Concepcion said. “He works, works, works, works. He’s very dedicated. But am I amazed? Yes! It’s like it’s a dream and it’s like, ‘Somebody pinch me.’ I can’t believe that’s my son. God blessed me with this talented young man. It’s just unbelievable.”

But that wasn’t all that changed.

All of a sudden, Concepcion had become recognizable in public.

“I’m not going to lie to you,” he said. “It’s so crazy. I walk on campus, I’m taking pictures. I’m signing things, and I just feel like I should always stop. That’s what it’s about, just making those lifetime memories and making those interactions with these fans.

“You never know. It can really impact somebody’s life.”

Want to go?

The KC Concepcion Back To School Tailgate will be a 206 S. Graham St. in uptown Charlotte, from 3 p.m. Saturday until after the game. Concepcion is expected to make an appearance postgame.

The event will feature food, drinks, games, live music and a limited amount of free school supplies. A large screen projector will show the N.C. State-Tennessee game that kicks off at 7:30 p.m.