Predicting the roles of NC State football's 10 transfer portal additions

By Ethan McDowell

NC State secured 10 transfer additions during the winter window, adding offensive linemen, defensive backs, linebackers and a tight end to next year’s roster. The Wolfpack focused on adding toughness and grit to the 2025 squad this year and addressed some immediate needs in the process.

From Teague Andersen, the program’s likely starter at right tackle, to JJ Johnson, who will likely compete for the first-string free safety role, NC State brought in a few players who will be able to contribute quickly. With that said, some of the transfers might need a year or two to develop in Raleigh.

TheWolfpacker.com took its shot at a way-too-early prediction of where NC State’s incoming transfers will factor into the 2025 depth chart. Notably, all 10 of them enrolled earlier this month and will go through winter workouts and spring practice with the team.

Redshirt sophomore OT Teague Andersen

NC State lists Andersen at 6-5, 319 pounds. The Wolfpack brought him in to play tackle, but he has the versatility to play all five sports along the offensive line. Penn State and Kansas State were also pushing for the former Utah State standout, and securing his commitment was one of the biggest wins of the cycle.

Jacarrius Peak is expected to switch positions to left tackle this offseason, and Andersen is the odds-on favorite to take over his role on the right side, filling a huge need for the program. He finished the 2024 season with an 81.3 pass blocking grade per Pro Football Focus (PFF).

Projected role: Starting right tackle

Junior offensive lineman Brock Stukes

Brock Stukes committed to NC State over offers from North Texas and Marshall. He was one of the more under-the-radar additions of this transfer cycle but still received a solid 85.28 transfer rating from On3. The former North Carolina A&T offensive lineman is a mauler in the run game who missed most of his sophomore season due to injury. He can play both guard and center at 6-2, 303 pounds.

NC State brought Stukes in to add depth to the offensive line room, but do not rule out him pushing for a role in the two-deep. He will be healthy for spring practice. The lineman played 15 games over his first 2 seasons at the college level, so he still has a redshirt year available. Robby Martin’s departure opens up a spot on the interior, and Stukes could certainly earn that spot if his production is at the FCS level translates.

Projected role: Backup guard, redshirt candidate

Senior tight end Cody Hardy

NC State battled with Auburn and Oklahoma State to eventually sign Cody Hardy. The former Elon tight end was a coveted portal pass catcher and adds some blocking edge to the Pack tight end room. Standing 6-4, 268 pounds, the senior caught 6 passes for 36 yards and 1 touchdown at the FCS level last fall. Hardy will complement Justin Joly’s skill set well, and, if NC State continues to break up the tight end position into in-line and flex-y, the Elon transfer could start this fall during his final season of eligibility.

Projected role: Starting in-line tight end

Graduate offensive lineman Jalen Grant

The Wolfpack needed to find an instant-impact contributor at center to replace Zeke Correll, and Jalen Grant looks like the most likely candidate to fill that void. At 6-1, 294 pounds, the Purdue transfer started his career at Bowling Green before spending a couple of years in the Big Ten. He has played both guard and center during his collegiate career and will snap for the Wolfpack. Grant is an extremely physical blocker who plays with an edge that matches what NC State is seeking. Mentality wise, he looks like a clear fit.

Grant started 12 games at guard during the 2023 season— his first year at Purdue. The lineman logged a 60.9 PFF grade over 802 snaps, giving up 18 pressures and 1 sack. He appeared in 3 games this fall beore the Boilermakers shifted its lineup in favor of taller offensive linemen. Grant has more experience than any other potential starter along NC State’s line and will hold the edge in a competitive battle for starting center reps this year.

Projected role: Starting center

Junior linebacker AJ Richardson

AJ Richardson transferred up from the FCS level after recording 100 tackles during his sophomore year at Norfolk State. Standing 6-1, 245 pounds, he projects as an inside linebacker for the Wolfpack. He led the MEAC in tackles last fall and missed just 10 attempts over 703 snaps during his second year of college football. The Wolfpack linebacker finished the season with a 79.9 PFF grade.

NC State needs to replace the production of Devon Betty in the linebacker room and, if the program plays 3-4 defenses at times, linebacker depth will be put to the test. Combine that with an uncertain recovery timeline for starting middle linebacker Caden Fordham, and it looks like Richardson could play a significant role this year. If Fordham is not healthy for the season opener, the FCS transfer could crack the starting lineup.

Projected role: Second-string middle linebacker

Redshirt freshman cornerback Jaren Sensabaugh

Jaren Sensabaugh strongly considered NC State coming out of high school as a four-star prospect from Nashville, Tennessee. He ended up choosing to play a year of SEC football before entering the portal. The Wolfpack has always liked his skill set, and now he brings four years of eligibility to Raleigh.

NC State will replace both of its starting cornerbacks from last fall, and Sensabaugh will help with that. He did not play during his freshman year at Missouri, so there’s no way of knowing how much he has improved since his prep days. The Pack corner room will be an open competition. Sensabaugh is talented enough to earn a role in the rotation.

Projected role: Backup outside corner

Graduate linebacker Tra Thomas

Tra Thomas began his collegiate career with a year of junior college before transferring to Temple. He played under NC State defensive coordinator DJ Eliot in 2022 and started the season extremely well before a season-ending injury. The versatile defender has played linebacker, defensive line and a hybrid between the two during his collegiate career.

NC State will play a 3-3-5 defense this fall but will deploy more multiple formations. Thomas is versatile enough at 6-3, 228 pounds that he can stay on the field pretty much regardless of the scheme the Pack puts out on the field. He looks like a prime candidate to step into the starting Sam role left by Betty after recording 28 total tackles and 2 sacks as a junior.

Projected role: Starting Sam linebacker

Redshirt junior cornerback Jamel Johnson

NC State recruited Jamel Johnson after losing a few key members of its secondary to the transfer portal. The former Temple cornerback instantly fills one of those spots. He recorded 47 total tackles, 2 interceptions and 11 passes defended during his first season at the FBS level in 2024.

After starting his career at Charleston Southern, the experienced defensive back clearly showed he has the talent to play Power Four football, leading to an abbreviated portal recruitment that ended in an NC State commitment. Johnson is 5-11, 195 pounds and will play outside cornerback for the Pack. At a minimum, he will provide super solid depth in the rotation.

Projected role: Starting outside cornerback

Redshirt freshman linebacker Sterling Dixon

The Wolfpack beat out UNC in a key in-state recruiting battle to land Sterling Dixon’s pledge on the final day of the university’s add/drop window. NC State welcomed him to campus on a Friday, and he left campus that day committed to the Wolfpack. The former four-star recruit spent one season at Alabama before deciding to transfer.

Dixon still has four seasons of eligibility left and, at 6-2, 210 pounds, he shows the versatility to play inside and outside linebacker depending on the scheme. He did not see the field much in his lone SEC season but, at the high school level, he thrived as a pass rusher. Even though he might need a little time to develop, Dixon is likely too talented to leave on the sidelines this fall.

Projected role: Backup Sam linebacker with a rotational role

Graduate safety JJ Johnson

Starting safeties Bishop Fitzgerald and Devan Boykin both hit the transfer portal once their position coaches left the program, and the Pack prioritized Johnson to add experience to that room. The physical 5-10, 190-pound graduate student began his career as a junior college standout before transferring to Georgia State.

He recorded 69 total tackles and 6 defended passes as a senior with the Panthers, logging a 71.0 PFF grade after starting every game. Johnson has experience at both safety spots but looks like a free safety in Raleigh. He’s a willing tackler who should thrive with the chance to spend more time in the box. NC State is very young in the secondary, so Johnson was a critical addition.

Projected role: Starting free safety