3 things to know about N.C. State football wide receiver Porter Rooks

During Monday's press conference with media, N.C. State head coach Dave Doeren admitted he hadn't used all his offensive weapons effectively this season — notably, second-year freshman wide receiver Porter Rooks.

"I think we look at Porter as a starter," Doeren said. "He's one of our top receivers, and not to his fault, to our fault, he didn't play enough in the Mississippi State game. We told them that after the game."

Coming off last season when he caught 24 passes for 276 yards, Rooks has been limited to five catches for 110 yards after three games. He did, however, have three catches for 52 yards in last week's 45-7 win over Furman.

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Facing No. 9 Clemson (2-1) on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at Carter-Finley Stadium, Rooks could play a pivotal role against a Tigers defense that has yet to give up a touchdown this season. 

"This is a type of game any kid would dream about," Rooks said Tuesday

Here are three things to know about the N.C. State wideout. 

He's still waiting for his first collegiate touchdown

Rooks has had some nice games at the college level, catching four passes for 48 yards against North Carolina last year and following that performance with three catches for 51 yards against Virginia.

But, at the time of writing, he's still waiting for his first end zone celebration.

None of his 29 career college catches have been for six points. Could that change Saturday?

"I just try and make the plays that come my way," Rooks said. "I want to do my job and be someone that the team can rely on."

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Doeren said Monday that Rooks' ability "puts another stress on the defense and allows us to get another playmaker in the game."

A two high school standout

Rooks may be waiting to score in college, but he's been in the end zone plenty of times before.

He played his first two seasons of high school football at Providence Day School in Charlotte, racking up 1,538 yards and 22 touchdowns before transferring to nearby Myers Park High School as a senior.

He caught 54 passes for 905 yards and 13 touchdowns and his team advanced to the 4AA state quarterfinals. He played his last high school game abroad, traveling to Mexico City to compete in the World Bowl.

Rooks left high school as a four-star recruit by both rivals.com and 247sports.com and was also ranked as the No. 6 recruit in North Carolina and No. 24 wide receiver nationally by ESPN.com.

His brother played basketball at Clemson

Saturday's game might be a little more personal for Rooks considering his brother played basketball at Clemson but transferred due to lack of playing time.

Patrick Rooks signed in 2013 to give Clemson an outside shooting threat and transferred after playing 52 total minutes in two seasons.

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A hip injury forced Rooks to sit out the 2013-14 season as a redshirt.

During the 2015 basketball season, Patrick played in 13 of the Tigers' 31 games and went 6-for-22 from the field, including 6-for-19 on 3-pointers. Only walk-on guard Riley McGillan played in fewer games or for fewer minutes.

David Thompson is an award-winning reporter for the USA Today Network covering NC State and Duke athletics. He can be reached at dthompson1@gannett.com, at 828-231-1747, or on Twitter at @daveth89.