NC State Wolfpack 2024 Prospect Outlook

The NC State Wolfpack has returned to competitiveness in the ACC over the last few seasons. They finished last season third in the conference and ranked 21st in the final polls. Head coach Dave Doeren is entering his 11th season at the helm and has a real chance of making this year his best season. 

The Wolfpack are coming off of a 9-4 season with a 6-2 conference record including big wins over rival North Carolina and Clemson. This team saw a couple of playmakers head to the NFL through the draft. Most notably, linebacker and Nagurski Award winner Payton Wilson was selected 98th overall to the Pittsburgh Steelers while interior offensive lineman Dylan McMahon was selected at 190th overall by the Philadelphia Eagles. The Wolfpack also had a few UDFA signings as TE Trent Pennix, DL Savion Jackson, CB Robert Kennedy, and S Joe Shimko were all signed following the conclusion of the three-day draft. 

The Wolfpack may have lost talent to the NFL after last season, but they have had an influx of impactful transfers through the portal. Most notable of these transfers are QB Grayson McCall from Coastal Carolina, RB Jordan Waters from Duke, WR Noah Rogers from Ohio State, and S Donovan Kaufman from Auburn.  

Grayson McCall has had very productive seasons with the Chanticleers, throwing for over 2800 yards in 2021 and over 2700 yards in 2022. Last season, McCall only played 7 games before suffering a season ending injury due to a scary hit against Arkansas State. He still threw for nearly 2000 yards and is expected to be fully healthy coming into this season. He aims to impress in his only season in a power 4 conference. 

Jordan Waters is coming off his best college season yet running the ball for the Blue Devils. He rushed for 819 yards and 12 touchdowns while sharing the backfield. The grad student looks to improve NC State’s rushing attack from last season and help a former rival ACC team to a solid year. 

Donovan Kaufman will be a fifth-year senior and is coming off his most productive season for Auburn. He recorded 37 total tackles including 4.5 for loss and a sack. He had an interception and 2 forced fumbles while only starting four games for the Tigers. The Wolfpack secondary will get a boost with his presence on the field. 

There are also some important returning players for this team as their star receiver from last year, Kevin Concepcion, is a talented sophomore who is not draft eligible until 2026 but is one of the Wolfpack’s best prospects. He recorded 839 receiving yards and 10 receiving touchdowns along with 320 yards rushing. The Wolfpack offense is sure to turn some heads with their new additions working alongside returning talent. 

Davin Vann is the Wolfpack's most anticipated returning player on the defensive side. He is a senior and will be draft eligible following this season. He has shown steady improvement by increasing his production every season in Raleigh. Look for him to be a force off the edge as he seeks to improve his sack numbers from last year.

NC State has several players on preseason award watch lists for the 2024 season. Below is a list of the players and their watchlists. 

• QB Grayson McCall – Davey O’Brien, Maxwell, and Walter Camp Awards 
• C Zeke Correll – Rimington Award, Outland Trophy  
• WR Kevin Concepcion – Biletnikoff Award 
• RB Jordan Waters – Doak Walker Award 
• TE Justin Joly – John Mackey Award 
• DT Brandon Cleveland – Allstate Wuerffel Trophy 
• DE Davin Vann – Bednarik Award 
• CB Ayden White – Paycom Jim Thorpe Award 

There are numerous projected candidates for the 2025 NFL Draft on this NC State squad. Anthony Belton is the Wolfpack’s star left tackle. An All-ACC performance in 2023 has put this graduate student’s name on boards for the 2025 draft and he is expected to be one of the top tackles in the country this season. Davin Vann is also expected to be drafted as he should be among the top players at defensive end this year. Vann is coming off a season in which he made 42 total tackles including seven for loss and 5.5 sacks. 

Also be on the lookout for McCall, Waters and TE Justin Joly to potentially be drafted if they prove themselves during the course of this season. McCall and Waters are in their final seasons of eligibility as redshirt seniors, and Joly will be a true junior in 2024 after transferring from UConn. Joly put up over 500 receiving yards and scored two touchdowns as one of UConn's impact players on offense last season.