NC State CB Shyheim Battle declares for NFL Draft
NC State starting cornerback Shyheim Battle declared for the NFL Draft on Wednesday afternoon. Battle had a year of eligibility remaining, but he opted to forgo the final season after five campaigns with the Wolfpack.
Battle recorded 144 total tackles in his five seasons on the field, including a career-best 46 total stops this past fall. He also added 32 passes defended, seven interceptions, six tackles for a loss and one sack during his time with the Wolfpack.
The cornerback recorded two interceptions in each of the past three seasons, while he had at least six passes defended in that same time span. His breakout season, the 2020 campaign, had 11 passes defended with an interception in his first full season on the field.
Battle was a four-year starter during his time in Raleigh. Battle was an All-ACC honorable mention during the 2021 and 2023 campaigns for his action as a lockdown cornerback for the Wolfpack.
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With Battle’s departure, NC State is now without both of its starting cornerbacks from the past two seasons. Cornerback Aydan White, who was a standout defender on the other side of the field, announced his intention to enter the transfer portal on Tuesday evening.
The Wolfpack will likely look to the transfer portal in an effort to replace one or both of those corners. It could also move freshman defensive back Brandon Cisse, who was the team’s starting dime corner, to a starting outside spot in the 2024 season. Cisse had 10 total tackles and an interception during his first season with the Wolfpack this past fall.
NC State’s defense has lost seven starters from its unit this past season, either due to graduation, the transfer portal or the NFL Draft. Of that seven, three were in the secondary between nickel Robert Kennedy III, Battle and White. The other four were graduate linebacker Payton Wilson (NFL Draft), senior linebacker Jaylon Scott (graduation), senior defensive lineman Savion Jackson (graduation) and redshirt junior nose tackle C.J. Clark (transferred to Miami).
