3 takeaways from NC State football's updated roster

By Ethan McDowell

NC State football updated its official spring semester roster after the university closed its add/drop period, essentially finalizing the squad for the spring semester.

The Pack holds 10 total portal commitments, and all of them are expected to join the program for the spring semester. Of NC State’s 23 prep and JUCO signees, 13 have already moved to Raleigh in January to go through winter workouts and spring practice.

Here’s a complete list of the new additions to the roster, followed by some takeaways from that group of first-year Wolfpackers.

Transfers

*** Redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Teague Andersen (Utah State)
*** Graduate offensive lineman Jalen Grant (Purdue)
*** Senior tight end Cody Hardy (Elon)
*** Redshirt junior cornerback Jamel Johnson (Temple)
*** Graduate safety Jeremiah Johnson (Georgia State)
*** Redshirt sophomore defensive lineman AJ Prim (JUCO)
*** Junior linebacker AJ Richardson (Norfolk State)
*** Redshirt freshman cornerback Jaren Sensabaugh (Missouri)
*** Junior offensive lineman Brock Stukes (North Carolina A&T)
*** Graduate linebacker Tra Thomas (Temple)

Early enrollee freshmen

*** Wide receiver Je’rel Bolder
*** Running back Deandre Desinor
*** Offensive lineman Michael Gibbs
*** Cornerback Caden Gordon
*** Punter Cristian Harthan (Walk-on)
*** Wide receiver Teddy Hoffmann
*** Cornerback Gerritt Kemp
*** Tight end Gus Ritchey
*** Offensive lineman Spike Sowells
*** Cornerback Cam Strong
*** Safety Tristan Teasdell
*** Defensive lineman Josiah Victor
*** Quarterback Will Wilson

All of the freshman have officially enrolled and started classes at NC State. That includes Desinor, who visited the Pack for the first time just a few days before signing and moving to campus.

Keep in mind that NC State will update these heights/weights over the next couple of months. Some of these measurables have likely not been verified by the Pack.

Is Spike Sowells ready to contribute as a freshman?

Sowells has already gone through bowl practices with the Pack and drew positive reviews from the coaching staff during that time. When he traveled to Texas briefly for the Navy All-American Bowl, he blew away On3’s scouts.

“The On300 prospect looks to be a steal for NC State,” Charles Power wrote Monday. “We wouldn’t be surprised to see him get on the field sooner rather than later in Raleigh.”

The Wolfpack needs to replace graduate center Zeke Correll, and the staff brought in two transfers to help with that. Stukes, a 6-2, 303-pound junior from North Carolina A&T, is expected to be a developmental prospect who likely redshirts this year.

Purdue transfer Jalen Grant is the early favorite to take over the starting center job. He’s listed at 6-1, 294 pounds on NC State’s official roster. There’s a long way to go until any position battles are decided, but Sowells seems physically ready to contribute.

After matching up against some of the best high school recruits in the country and never losing a rep, he returned to Raleigh Sunday ready to attack winter conditioning. NC State lists him at 6-2, 300 pounds. If he embraces Dantonio Burnette’s strength and conditioning program this offseason, he might have a chance to earn a role in spring practice.

Where do NC State’s new linebackers fit in?

NC State made some changes in its linebacker room, while new defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot prepares to bring a new system to the Wolfpack. Thomas and Richardson both look physically ready to contribute. They have multiple years of production at the Division-I level, and there are snaps available in that unit.

The Pack lists Richardson at 6-1, 245 pounds. It will be really interesting to see if the Wolfpack keeps him at that weight. Former defensive coordinator Tony Gibson did not typically want linebackers playing at that weight. If Richardson has the necessary speed at 245 pounds, he could be a heat-seeking missile in the middle of NC State’s defense.

Thomas joined the Pack at 6-4, 230 pounds. He’s a versatile defender who is athletic enough to play the Sam role if NC State sticks with its 3-3-5 defense, but he could also play a true edge rusher position if the program needs him to.

Dixon is the wildcard here. Alabama listed the former coveted recruit at 6-3, 211 pounds as a true freshman— the same measurables he has on NC State’s roster. If that weight is still accurate, he will have to really attack the weight room to contribute this fall. Dixon has the highest ceiling of the three transfers and could play all over the defense.

A few heights and weights that stood out

Hardy is 6-5, 271 pounds. Multiple SEC schools, including Auburn who made a strong push, really wanted the Elon transfer this offseason, but NC State kept him home. He will compete with Dante Daniels this fall for the starting blocking tight end job. After adding freshman Gus Ritchey into the mix as well, NC State looks much better at that spot compared to last fall.

The Wolfpack lists Andersen, the Pack’s projected right tackle this fall, at 6-5, 319 pounds. Bolder is already 6-0, 195 pounds and looks like one of the more physically prepared freshmen on the roster. Desinor is 5-9 and 175 pounds. Expect the Pack’s only running back signee to redshirt.

Prim’s listed weight of 287 pounds at 6-2 caught TheWolfpacker.com’s attention. He played defensive tackle in a four-man front at the junior college level. Could he line up for some pass rushing snaps as a nose this fall? NC State has not signed any transfer defensive linemen, so Prim will have a major chance to earn a spot during spring practice.