By Tony Thomas
Coming off a 9-4 record in 2023, the NC State Wolfpack returns talent in all the right places on both sides of the ball, including experience at all levels of the defense, four starters on the offensive line and WR Kevin Concepcion (71 catches, 839 yards, 10 TDs), an All-ACC performer and Freshman All-American selection.
The Wolfpack won five of their final six games last season, including wins over Clemson and North Carolina. Head Coach Dave Doeren went into the transfer portal and scooped up some serious talent to provide depth and fill positions of need, including three transfers that will be leaders of the Pack on Saturdays in the fall.
QB Grayson McCall
Previous School: Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
6’3”, 200 lbs.
A 3-time Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year, Grayson McCall won 38 of 49 games as the QB1 starter for the Chanticleers. Playing in only seven games last season before suffering an injury that ended his season, McCall threw for 1,919 yards, 10 TDs, and six INTs.
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McCall has 11 games of 300 yards passing in a distinguished collegiate career that includes 10,005 passing yards, 88 touchdowns, 14 INTs, and a 69% completion percentage. In addition, he has scored 18 rushing touchdowns.
RB Jordan Waters
Previous School: Duke Blue Devils
6’0”, 219 lbs.
A 3rd Team All-ACC selection last season, Jordan Waters rushed for 819 yards and 12 touchdowns and recorded three games of over 100 yards rushing.
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Waters posted four games with two rushing touchdowns, including three straight, and he scored nine touchdowns in the first six games of the season. His season high of 123 yards rushing came against, ironically, NC State. Waters has 23 career rushing touchdowns to his credit.
S Donovan Kaufman
Previous School: Auburn Tigers
5’10”, 204 lbs.
With over 100 career tackles on his resume while at Auburn, Donovan Kaufman recorded 37 tackles in 2023. In addition, Kaufman racked up 4.5 tackles for loss, one sack, and forced two fumbles.
Kaufman provides much-needed depth at the position and should compete for significant playing time. Highly regarded, Kaufman was one of the players on coach Joe DeForest’s “big board.”
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The Wolfpack has posted four straight winning seasons, going 34-16 over that stretch. As far as the 2024 schedule goes, the Wolfpack will be tested early, taking on the Tennessee Volunteers in week 2. Road games include Clemson and North Carolina.
With that said, NC State will have the talent and experience to keep that eight-wins-per-season streak alive for yet another season.
