Jermaine Hudson
Redshirt junior linebacker Caden Fordham yells as the NC State football team runs out onto the field during the football game against Wake Forest in Carter-Finley Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. Fordham had three tackles and five assists. NC State lost to Wake Forest 34-30.
NC State football kicks off its 2025 season on Thursday, returning several key players and looking to build off last season. Here’s a breakdown of the key players at every position.
Offense
One of, if not the, most important player on the offense of a football team is the quarterback. This is highly evident for NC State as in the 13 seasons of Doeren’s tenure, he has had six seasons where the primary quarterback from the previous season returned.
In those seasons, State finished with a minimum of seven wins in each instance and, apart from 2015, it was eight in each.
Sophomore quarterback CJ Bailey started the majority of the season and impressed many in his debut season. He totaled 2,413 passing yards, 17 touchdowns and only ten interceptions.
He also impressed many with his dual-threat ability, rushing for 279 yards and five touchdowns. Bailey will be looking for improvement under center now that he is the full starter.
The top running back for the Pack is set to be redshirt sophomore Hollywood Smothers. Smothers was not the starting running back in 2024, as that role was taken by Jordan Waters.
When put in games, Smothers was very productive for the Pack, totaling 571 yards and six touchdowns. The second running back is redshirt freshman Duke Scott, who rushed for 4,500 yards and 66 TDs, averaging 10 yards per carry in high school.
The top targets for CJ Bailey are senior wide receiver Wesley Grimes, redshirt sophomore wide receiver Noah Rogers and senior tight end Justin Joly. In 2024, Grimes had 339 receiving yards and four touchdowns, Rogers had 478 yards and one touchdown and Joly had 661 yards and four touchdowns.
On the offensive line, NC State has two very key players returning, those being junior tackle Jacarius Peak and graduate left guard Anthony Carter, who have 45 combined career starts. At center, the Pack will need to have a new starter after the departure of Zeke Correll. True freshman Spike Sowells might be the key needed for this offensive line.
Defense
With a new defensive coordinator in DJ Elliott, a new defensive system is to be expected from this Wolfpack defense. Gone is the 3-3-5 system that has long been part of this team’s identity. Now, the defensive line is going to put more pressure on the front, and this will cut some of the workload for the linebackers.
With this, defensive tackle Brandon Cleveland will be looking to make a statement this year now that he will not be double-teamed on every play by the offensive line. In 2024, Cleveland totaled 36 tackles and registered five quarterback hurries.
Graduate defensive end Travali Price also returns from a season where he was productive, starting in 11 of 13 games, now looking to have a full, healthy season.
The linebacker position has been a standout at NC State for the past few years, with Payton Wilson and Drake Thomas now playing on Sundays. This year will be no exception for the red-and-white as Caden Fordham returns from a season-ending injury during 2024, but before that time frame, he was the team’s leading tackler.
Senior linebacker Sean Brown also returns from a very productive 2024 season where he totaled 50 solo tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles.
If the front of this defense can generate pressure, this Wolfpack secondary has the depth to be strong with returning players and transfers. Junior cornerback and veteran Devon Marshall will likely be the captain of this secondary and will look to successfully mesh with graduate safety JJ Johnson, who transferred from Georgia State and has 150 career tackles. Sophomore cornerback Brian Nelson II, who transferred in from North Texas, will also be ready to go once the season starts.