Despite a disappointing 2024 campaign, NC State saw multiple stars emerge last season, such as sophomore quarterback CJ Bailey and redshirt sophomore running back Hollywood Smothers.
With key departures and new opportunities on both sides of the ball, the Pack has several candidates to be the next breakout star in Raleigh.
Terrell Anderson
After a slow freshman campaign, watch for sophomore receiver Terrell Anderson to break out for NC State this season. With former NC State receiver KC Concepcion off to Texas A&M, the Pack has plenty of snaps available — and Anderson has all the potential to take them.
Coming out of Grimsley High School in Greensboro, Anderson was a well-rounded prospect. According to 247Sports, Anderson is the Pack’s 19th-highest rated recruit all time, and third-highest rated receiver behind Richard Washington and sophomore receiver Jonathan Paylor.
With his NFL frame and athleticism, it’s less about if Anderson will break out, but rather when he will.
While he didn’t play much as a freshman, he showcased his potential throughout the year. Arguably his best play of the season came in the waning moments of NC State’s 59-35 loss at Clemson. While the game was out of hand already, Anderson turned a catch into a 40-yard touchdown, making a Tiger defender miss in the open field.
With reliable hands and the ability to elude defenders, Anderson projects as a great option out of the slot. Watch for Anderson to quickly become one of quarterback CJ Bailey’s top targets.
Keenan Jackson
Anderson isn’t the only sophomore receiver ready to break out — Keenan Jackson appears poised for a big season. While Anderson is likely the Pack’s top slot receiver, Jackson projects as an outside receiver thanks to his 6-foot-3 frame and impressive blocking ability.
Expect Jackson to compete with senior receiver Wesley Grimes for snaps on the outside, opposite of redshirt sophomore receiver Noah Rogers. After back-to-back seasons of 300-plus yards, Grimes is a safe, high-floor option for the Pack. However, Jackson offers a higher ceiling with his combination of size, speed, and blocking.
Last year, Jackson caught 12 passes for 124 yards and a pair of touchdowns. While the stats may not be impressive, they show Jackson earned valuable, in-game reps as a true freshman.
Now adjusted to the college level, watch for Jackson’s game to continue to grow with extended playing time this season as a key outside receiver.
AJ Richardson
Last year it was no secret that the Wolfpack had a linebacker problem.
Graduate linebacker Caden Fordham led the unit for the first half of the season before a torn ACL ended his season in October. While he returns to the team, he’s just 10 months removed from the injury and still working his way back into form.
Redshirt senior linebacker Sean Brown was NC State’s other key contributor at the position, leading the team with 87 tackles. However, Brown missed a concerning 17 tackles, especially struggling against the run.
With questions surrounding its two returning starters at linebacker, the Wolfpack added junior linebacker AJ Richardson from Norfolk State. Once a zero-star recruit coming out of high school, Richardson has already proven talent evaluators wrong with his production at Norfolk State.
Richardson was a superstar at the FCS level, earning FCS freshman All-American honors in 2023 and leading his conference, the MEAC, with 100 tackles in 2024. While his tackling is his strength, his ability in pass coverage improved significantly this past season.
Richardson’s role to open the season will likely be as a rotational piece in the linebacker room. However, if he plays anywhere close to his track record at Norfolk State, Richardson will be impossible to keep off the field.
At 6-foot-1 and 235 pounds, Richardson is a little bigger than Fordham and Brown, which should help him be a stabilizing force against the run. Richardson could emerge as a key piece in the linebacker rotation, consistently playing on early downs to stop the run this season.
Richardson’s ability to outperform expectations will be critical this fall as NC State looks to improve at linebacker.
Ronnie Royal
Don’t let his 5-foot-9 height fool you, redshirt freshman safety Ronnie Royal has the talent to be an impact player for the Wolfpack. With the Wolfpack rebuilding its secondary from the ground up after several expected starters transferred, the opportunity is there for Royal to see the field.
As a four-star prospect out of Alabama, Royal played both defensive back and running back, while also running track and playing basketball. Now able to fully devote his training to playing defensive back, Royal will likely take his lumps early in the season. However, as Royal gains experience to pair with his elite athleticism, his play should quickly improve.
Two of Royal’s biggest assets are his speed and hard-hitting tackles. With the ability to quickly make up ground on receivers, Royal will have opportunities to create turnovers.
It would not be a surprise to see Royal take on a role similar to former Wolfpack safety Tanner Ingle and become one of NC State’s top defenders.
Devon Marshall
Staying in the secondary, senior cornerback Devon Marshall is another prime candidate for a breakout season.
Marshall emerged late last year, starting the final two games of the year. Despite seeing limited playing time, Marshall posted a pair of interceptions and broke up seven passes.
With many of NC State’s other top defensive backs being incoming transfers, Marshall will have an inside track to a starting outside cornerback role with his experience in Raleigh. Last season, Marshall adjusted to the step up in competition from FCS to the ACC — now he’ll be the established ACC player.
