Former NC State receiver and Charlotte native KC Concepcion saw his dream come true on Thursday, as he was drafted in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft last week by the Cleveland Browns.
Concepcion, 21, was the 24th overall pick in the draft and the fourth wide receiver taken off the board. The pick was originally held by the Jacksonville Jaguars, but was traded to Cleveland last year as part of the package to trade up for Travis Hunter.
“It’s a blessing, honestly,” Concepcion said in his first postdraft press conference. “A dream come true. When I heard my name called, it was just excitement.”
Before playing his final collegiate season at Texas A&M, Concepcion spent his first two years of college with the Wolfpack, who recruited him out of high school.
And even as a freshman, you could tell that Concepcion was going to be special.
The then 19 year old set NC State program records for receptions and receiving yards by a freshman and took home ACC Rookie of the Year honors that year as well.
Even despite the Wolfpack lacking many offensive weapons that year, teams still struggled to shut down Concepcion, who just always had a knack for getting open with his speed and shiftiness.
“KC has been a dynamic producer at NC State, Texas A&M,” said Cleveland Browns General Manager Andrew Berry. “He’s electric with the ball in his hands and we’re looking forward to having him.”
However, he was poorly utilized in his second season at NC State, leading to a significant drop in production and eventually a transfer to Texas A&M.
With the Aggies, Concepion finished the year with 919 receiving yards and nine touchdowns through the air, but he also added a significant punt return threat to his game as well, with nearly 500 yards and two touchdowns in that area of the game too.
“The more things you can do, the better your value is,” Concepcion said. “The faster you learn, the more plays you get. Just being able to play all across the field is just going to open up many more opportunities.”
Concepcion’s multipositional ability this past year also won him the Paul Hornung Award, which recognizes the NCAA player judged to be the most versatile.
“He’s dynamic,” Berry said. “He’s an outstanding separator, really good with the ball in his hands and honestly, probably the best punt returner in this class.”
Before the draft, Concepcion also penned a letter to all 32 NFL GMs that was also published in The Players’ Tribune, talking about the struggles he’s had to overcome through his life — such as his stutter and family life — but also his ability to play football.
“I’m the best receiver in this draft,” Concepcion wrote. “Period.”
“I’m very confident,” Concepion said when asked about the letter. “I feel like I am the most versatile and the best playmaker. Everybody has their things that they do well.”
The Browns were impressed with Concepcion’s talent and confidence, but they also gained a new appreciation for his character too as they got to know him.
“I think it’s incredible what he’s overcome and gone through in his life,” Berry said. “When we got the letter, I called him afterward and said, ‘Hey look, I think that’s really awesome.’ That was separate from obviously liking him as a prospect. Everything that that kid is about, everything that he’s overcome, I just really loved the person.”
In Cleveland, Concepcion will be joining a talented receiver room already with the likes of Jerry Jeudy and fellow 2026 draftee Denzel Boston.
“I just think you have to keep adding to the room as best you can,” said Browns coach Todd Monken. “You’re trying to raise the floor. At any position group, you start by raising the floor and developing who you have.”
Concepcion is also looking forward to working with potential starting quarterback Shadeur Sanders, someone who he has already connected with before.
“When I entered the transfer portal after my sophomore season, I had actually went down to Colorado and met Shadeur,” Concepcion said. “He’s a great guy, a great leader and I just cannot wait to build that relationship and build that connection with him.”
The talented receiver will certainly have a good opportunity to prove himself on the field in Cleveland and with his work ethic and talent level, it shouldn’t be too long before we see him making headlines on Sundays.
