The wild world of the NCAA transfer portal does not appear to be kind to the Wolfpack. NC State currently has 17 players who have entered the portal, and four have already committed elsewhere. Meanwhile, only three players have committed to transfer to Raleigh, although there is potentially breaking news on a big one. While there will be a lot of new faces in Carter-Finley come 2024, the Wolfpack seems to be in good hands for next season.
NC State Transfers: Who is Out?
NC State is tied with UNC for most players in the portal with 17. While a ton of depth is leaving, the majority of the lost production comes from seniors graduating. It is no surprise that M.J. Morris has entered the transfer portal, and Brennan Armstrong has played his last year of eligibility. The biggest concern for the Wolfpack is the number of offensive weapons that have entered the portal. Of the 17 players, there are four receivers, two running backs, and a tight end who will be leaving. Michael Allen and Jordan Houston combined for 410 scrimmage yards and a touchdown in 2023. In the receiving corps, Terrell Timmons will be the biggest loss. Timmons was a deep threat who averaged 19.6 yards per reception for the Wolfpack, and he will be taking his talents to Colorado. Chris Toudle will transfer for his final year after amassing five touchdowns at NC State.
On Defense, the Wolfpack remains intact. While seven players are leaving, only two had meaningful production in 2023. C.J. Clark is the biggest loss for NC State. Clark appeared in 12 games and had 22 tackles, four for losses, and a sack. Cecil Powell is another Wolfpack transfer that must be replaced. Powell also appeared in 12 games but was a depth defensive back who totaled just five total tackles. Thankfully for NC State’s defense, no other transfer put up significant stats or played in more than seven games. However, the Wolfpack are losing Payton Wilson, an All-American linebacker who won the Dick Butkus Award for best linebacker in the country. Wilson is leaving for the NFL and is among the multiple seniors that Tony Gibson needs to replace.
NC State Wolfpack Transfers: Who is in?
Dave Doeren and the Wolfpack have done a phenomenal job recruiting and will have to tie up some loose ends in the transfer portal. While the recruiting class is 30th in the nation and there are currently four “4-star recruits”, a few key transfers will be paramount to NC State’s success in 2024. Currently, the Wolfpack are considering a transfer Quarterback, as only Lex Thomas, Ethan Rhodes, and Cole Wilson are on the roster. As of publish time, it looks as though Grayson Mccall from Coastal Carolina will be going to Raleigh. He has been the top target for NC State. McCall will be a massive addition to the Wolfpack offense, as he threw for 10,005 yards and 88 touchdowns in his time at Coastal Carolina. Pack Pride reported a short time ago that McCall has decided on NC State.
Currently, there are only three players committed to transferring to NC State. Receiver Wesley Grimes is traveling down Tobacco Road from rival Wake Forest. Grimes totaled 339 yards and four touchdowns in his sophomore year. Grimes was a four-star recruit out of high school and will provide a reliable option in the passing game. Additionally, the Wolfpack grabbed commitments from two offensive linemen. Zeke Correll is an interior lineman from Notre Dame who appeared in 10 games last season. Correll also played 12 games in 2022 and is a veteran presence on the offensive line. He is joined by Valen Erickson, an offensive tackle from Missouri. Erickson was a “3-star” recruit in 2022 and has not appeared in a college football game. NC State has yet to add a defensive player from the portal this season.
NC State Wolfpack Transfer Portal: What Do the Wolfpack Need Now?
If NC State lands McCall, the team’s biggest need will be filled with plenty of time left in the spring. McCall coming to Raleigh will provide an incentive for other offensive weapons to join him. Ultimately, the Wolfpack still needs a few pass catchers from the portal or in spring recruiting. In addition, a defensive lineman and a veteran linebacker would go a long way in replacing the lost defensive production.
