NC State nose tackle C.J. Clark enters transfer portal
NC State nose tackle C.J. Clark officially entered the transfer portal Thursday as a graduate transfer. The redshirt junior started every game for the Pack this year.
Clark is the first defensive lineman and No. 12 player overall to declare their intention to leave the program. After signing win the Pack as an elite four-star recruit from New London (N.C.) North Stanly High, he is looking for a new program for the remainder of his collegiate career.
During the 2023 season, he played nose tackle after also starting games at defensive end earlier in his Wolfpack tenure. Clark recorded 22 total tackles (5 solo) and 1 sack this fall, anchoring the middle of the program’s defensive front.
He joined the Pack in 2019 and redshirted his freshman year after undergoing hand surgery. The following season, he backed up Alim McNeil and started a pair of contests, finishing the campaign with a career-high 24 total tackles (5 solo).
As a redshirt freshman in 2021, he started the first three contests of the year at nose tackle before losing the season due to an injury suffered in practice. Clark made 8 tackles that season.
The lineman returned to the field in 2022, starting at defensive end following Savion Jackson’s season-ending injury and also playing as the backup nose tackle to Cory Durden. He recorded 18 total tackles (9 solo) and 3 sacks.
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Clark’s decision pushes sophomore nose tackle Brandon Cleveland into the spotlight. The former four-star recruiting form Tampa (Fla.) played a prominent role this season and recorded 23 total tackles (9 solo) to go along with 3 sacks and 2 forced fumbles. Standing 6-4, 300 pounds, he is in line to take over the starting job in the bowl game and likely in the years to follow.
Redshirt-freshman Nick Campbell is listed as the third-string nose tackle and could potentially see some playing time during the bowl game. Junior defensive lineman Davin Vann also played some nose tackle this year in the Pack’s dime package.
Based on TheWolfpacker.com’s count, the lineman’s decision to transfer brings NC State down to 80 scholarships for the 2024 season once the 20 senior Wolfpack commits officially join the program. Clark joins the following players who have also announced their intentions to transfer.
– Running back Michael Allen
– Cornerback Darius Edmundson
– Wide receiver Anthony Smith
– Tight end Christopher Toudle
– Running back Jordan Houston
– Linebacker Daejuan Thompson
– Cornerback Nate Evans
– Wide receiver Porter Rooks
– Tight end Cedd Seabrough
– Safety Jakeen Harris
– Quarterback MJ Morris
