The NC State transfer season is bearing many fruits. The Wolfpack managed to replace lost production at multiple key positions. While they still need to address some holes on the defensive side, this Wolfpack offense appears very promising. The team has added a few defensive pieces, but will likely see more additions in the spring.
NC State Transfer Weapon #1: Grayson McCall, QB (Coastal Carolina)
The quarterback position was the number one concern for the Wolfpack, and Grayson McCall seems to be a great replacement. Brennan Armstrong had a solid season in 2023, leading the team to six wins in games that he started. M.J. Morris was supposed to be the next man up, but he struggled mightily last season and decided to transfer to Maryland. Mccall had a great career at Coastal Carolina, passing for 10,005 yards and 88 touchdowns in his tenure. He was ranked the 17th-best transfer quarterback by 247 Sports. While he isn’t quite the rushing threat that Armstrong was, McCall has over 1000 rushing yards in his college career. Overall, he is an accurate quarterback with veteran experience that will fit into Robert Anae’s scheme easily.
The Wolfpack offense was often plagued by turnovers in losses. McCall will alleviate that concern, as he has shown an ability to protect the ball. In 1016 passing attempts, he has only thrown 14 interceptions. However, he is prone to the occasional blow-up. Four of these interceptions came in one 2023 matchup against Georgia Southern and is prone to taking a few too many big sacks. However, he also can fit passes in tight windows and is very athletic. He is a physical runner when he takes off with the ability to extend plays with his athleticism. Overall, he projects as a more refined version of Armstrong. He has a great arm, and the ability to run, and is more accurate than the former Wolfpack Quarterback. At his best, McCall could be the best quarterback in the ACC. More realistically, he still should be a top-five quarterback in the conference.
NC State Transfer Weapon #2: Jordan Waters, RB (Duke)
The Wolfpack running back room was left very thin after the 2023 season. Jordan Houston, Michael Allen, and Delbert Mimms III all decided to transfer away from Raleigh. This left the Wolfpack with only Kendrick Raphael being a reliable contributor from 2023. Thankfully for NC State, Duke running back Jordan Waters has transferred across the triangle area to NC State. The Wolfpack are very happy they will not have to face Waters anymore, as he gashed the team for 123 yards and a touchdown last fall. In the 2023 season, he totaled 958 scrimmage yards and 12 touchdowns. Waters was considered the number three running back prospect of 2023.
Waters is a physical runner with great balance. He has the speed to break off large plays and is tough to bring down. He is 6-1, 210 pounds, capable of handling a large workload and being efficient in doing so. Duke did not use him as a pass catcher very often, but he shows promise in the receiving game. Over his career, he averages 9.8 yards per catch. Waters will pair nicely with McCall in the backfield. In addition, Raphael will complement him well as a quicker change of pace back. Overall, Waters has averaged five-and-a-half yards per touch in his career, which will add a significant boost to the Wolfpack run game. Waters’ production will also be bolstered by a solid Wolfpack offensive line, which combined with his efficiency, could be extremely dangerous for opposing defenses.
NC State Transfer Weapon #3: Noah Rogers, WR (Ohio State)
Noah Rogers is considered one of the better-receiving prospects the Wolfpack have had in a long time. He was a five-star recruit out of high school but did not see usage in the crowded Ohio State receiving room. Rogers was ranked the 10th-best receiver in the portal this season. His high school statistics are phenomenal, and he has the athleticism to contribute immediately. In high school, Rogers tallied 24 touchdowns in his junior season. He averaged 22.7 yards per catch his senior year and finished his career with over 3200 receiving yards.
Rogers does not have any collegiate production but will be a contributor to the Wolfpack offense right away. He is very fast, running under a 4.5-second 40-yard dash according to 247Sports. He has the size and speed to be a serious threat and will pair with Kevin Concepcion nicely. His build is that of a prototypical X receiver, but he does need to add some muscle mass to handle press coverage. Rogers was also a track runner in high school, and his speed translates well onto the gridiron. He is a capable returner in the special teams game. He will likely slot in as the Wolfpack’s number two receiving option and see time as a returner as well. At his best, Rogers has the potential to be one of the best receivers in the conference. However, he has yet to show his game-breaking abilities will translate to the collegiate level.
Wolfpack Offensive Transfers Overview
McCall, Waters, and Rogers will all be significant contributors to the 2024 Wolfpack offense. The team lost four receivers, three running backs, and two tight ends to the portal. However, each of the three has the ability to replace the lost production and exceed it. McCall will have to prove that he can maintain his production and playmaking ability in a Power Five conference but has the ability to take the Wolfpack offense to the next level. Waters likely has the safest floor and may sniff 1000 scrimmage yards this season. Rogers is more of a wild card but has all the tools and potential to be a top receiver for NC State.
The Wolfpack offense should see a boost in production in 2024. The 2023 offense averaged 26.2 points per game, but only 193.9 passing yards per game. In addition to the three most impactful transfers, the Wolfpack also added Justin Joly, the number three tight end in the portal, and two three-star offensive linemen from Power Five teams. As a whole, the transfer class should help the NC State offense take a significant leap in 2024.
