Losing several key pieces from its defense to graduation, NC State football reloaded the defense at each level.
With an emphasis on speed and upside, the Wolfpack has four defensive transfer portal additions every fan needs to know about.
Harvey Dyson III, Edge
With just 20 sacks last season, ranking 14th in the ACC, NC State desperately needed to find pass-rushing help this offseason.
The Pack found its answer in Tulane’s Dyson, the AAC’s 2025 sack leader. With eight sacks last season, Dyson is a proven commodity who should plug in as one of the Wolfpack’s top defensive players in 2026.
With graduate linebacker Cian Slone out of eligibility, Dyson projects to fill Slone’s spot off the edge. Built nearly identically at just one inch shorter and two pounds lighter, Dyson’s fit should be seamless.
Dyson is also a more proven pass rusher, with his best games coming against top competition. In the 2025 College Football Playoff, Dyson recorded a sack against Ole Miss, while also adding a sack in the conference championship against North Texas.
Dyson’s importance cannot be overstated. Without a strong pass rush, offenses are inclined to attack through the air. Even the best secondaries can’t cover forever, and eventually receivers will get open.
Speeding up the quarterback and forcing offenses to run will be Dyson’s job — a role he excelled in with the Green Wave last season.
King Mack, Safety
The Wolfpack scored a major win this offseason by securing Mack, Penn State’s starter in eight games last season.
The speedy safety is a force to be reckoned with, only allowing 67 yards through the air across 270 coverage snaps. Per On3’s transfer portal rankings, Mack is NC State’s highest-ranked defensive addition this season.
Last season, the safety position was a revolving door for the Wolfpack due to injuries and inconsistency. With no clear starters in place, expect Mack to plug in as the Pack’s starting free safety.
Adding an established presence in the secondary is one of the most important moves NC State made in the transfer portal.
DaKaari Nelson, Linebacker
Following Mack from Penn State to Raleigh, Nelson shores up the Wolfpack’s linebacker spot.
Losing graduate linebackers Caden Fordham and Kenny Soares Jr. to the NFL and the transfer portal, respectively, the Pack desperately needed a linebacker to anchor the middle of the defense. Nelson is unproven at the collegiate level, but possesses the athletic traits necessary to be an impact player.
A former safety converted to linebacker, Nelson’s unique background should help him in coverage. While many linebackers struggle to run quickly enough to follow running backs and tight ends, Nelson should have no issues keeping up.
The biggest determining factor for Nelson’s success projects to be how effective he is at diagnosing runs closer to the line of scrimmage.
Ondre Evans, Cornerback
Another gamble on athleticism, NC State bolstered its secondary with Evans.
The former Bulldog struggled to find playing time at Georgia because of injuries and a loaded depth chart. However, at NC State, there will be an abundance of opportunities with senior cornerback Devon Marshall out of eligibility.
The Wolfpack earned a commitment from Evans during the high school recruiting process, but he flipped to LSU and eventually signed with Georgia.
Rated as a four-star prospect and the No. 106 player nationally by 247Sports coming out of high school, Evans has more upside than any other portal addition. With a background as a track sprinter, Evans’ speed at corner will be key for NC State this upcoming season.
Evans best fit is on the outside, where he can shadow opposing teams’ fastest receivers vertically.
