The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1532241
MARCH/APRIL 2025 ■ 41 Elisha Shaw, who joined NC State's staff in 2024 and was recently named assistant defensive line coach, knows Johnson from his previous tenure as a graduate assistant at Georgia State. Shaw spent many hours at the football facility, sticking around long after most of the players had left. Johnson was al- ways there, though. "He was always trying to steal some information," Shaw said. "I think he's going to be a great fit for us. He's also go- ing to be another guy who's able to spark fires for other men in our secondary." Warren could tell from his evaluation that Johnson was a student of the game. The 5-foot-10, 190-pound defensive back consistently diagnosed the play call, put himself in the right spot and communicated with his teammates. He can also play all over the secondary, a skill Warren covets. "He's a great kid," Warren said. "Coming from Mississippi, he's a hard- working dude. He's tough, and I think he's a really, really smart football player. I'm really glad to have him." The Pack is also glad to have Thomas aboard. NC State plans on sticking with the 3-3-5 base defense that former co- ordinator Tony Gibson employed effec- tively during his tenure with the pro- gram, but new coordinator D.J. Eliot wants to install packages with four- man fronts and some 3-4 formations. The Wolfpack's defense will be a lot more versatile in 2025 than it was in previous seasons, so the team brought in Thomas to help smooth that transition. The Temple transfer has played multi- ple roles during his college career, from outside linebacker to defensive end. Thomas worked with Eliot during the 2022 season when they were both with the Owls. The linebacker was on pace for a career year with 3 sacks through 4 games before suffering a season-ending injury. Now, they're reunited in Raleigh, and the Pack defensive coordinator is excited about their collaboration. "Tra's such a great person," Eliot said. "I love Tra, and he's a good player. He's really got some great attributes off the field, too. … I'm glad to be with him. He's very talented, hardworking and very tough. It's going to be a good situ- ation for him here at NC State." On offense, tight ends coach Gavin Locklear knew Hardy would be a good fit for the Wolfpack from the first time they spoke over the phone. Auburn, Oklahoma State and others tried to lure him out of his home state, but the 6-4, 268-pound athlete, a Monroe, N.C., native who spent his first three sea- sons at Elon, picked the Pack. Locklear couldn't have been happier. "You listen to the kid talk, and you understand his makeup and you under- stand what he's about," Locklear said. "He's a football player. He's a kid that's passionate, a kid that loves the game, a kid that really wants to be good at the game. He's all about winning. He wants to help the team win in whatever way he can." ■ Wolfpack Football's 2025 Transfer Class Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Elig. Home/Former School Rating* Teague Andersen OT 6-5 319 R-So. Lehi, Utah/Utah State HHH Finished the 2024 season with an 81.3 blocking grade from Pro Football Focus … Expected to take over the starting right tackle position after choosing NC State over Penn State and Kansas State. Sterling Dixon LB 6-2 210 R-Fr. Spanish Fort, Ala./Alabama HHH Finished with 1 tackle in three games during his freshman season with the Crimson Tide … Was a four- star prospect coming out of Spanish Fort High in Mobile, Ala., as well as the No. 209 overall player and No. 17 linebacker nationally, per the On3 Industry Ranking. Jalen Grant OL 6-1 294 Gr. Chicago/Purdue HHH Viewed by NC State as a potential successor to Zeke Correll at center after seeing action in 16 games for the Boilermakers the past two seasons … Started 12 games at guard in 2023 and compiled a 60.9 blocking grade from PFF … Played in only four games last fall. Cody Hardy TE 6-4 268 Sr. Monroe, N.C./Elon HHH Caught 6 passes for 36 yards and 1 touchdown last season for the Phoenix, which competes at the FCS level ... Chose NC State over Auburn and Oklahoma State. Jamel Johnson CB 5-11 195 Sr. Covington, Ga./Temple HHH Will vie for a starting cornerback spot after totaling 47 tackles, 2 interceptions and 11 passes defended in his lone season with the Owls … Started his career at Charleston Southern. JJ Johnson S 5-10 190 Gr. Anguilla, Miss./Georgia State HHH Started every game for the Panthers last season, finishing with 69 tackles and 6 passes defended … Will contend for a starting safety spot at NC State this year. AJ Richardson LB 6-1 245 Jr. Kings Mountain, N.C./Norfolk State HHH Led the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference with 100 tackles as a sophomore, compiling a 79.9 defensive grade from PFF on 703 snaps … Projects as an inside linebacker at NC State. Jaren Sensabaugh CB 6-1 179 R-Fr. Nashville, Tenn./Missouri HHH Did not see action in his lone season at Mizzou … Was a four-star prospect coming out of Ensworth (Tenn.) High, as well as the No. 368 overall prospect and No. 34 cornerback nationally, per the On3 Indus- try Ranking. Brock Stukes OL 6-2 303 Jr. Chesapeake, Va./North Carolina A&T HHH Saw action in 15 games during his first two seasons at the college level but missed much of his sopho- more year with an injury … Has the ability to play guard and center. Tra Thomas LB 6-3 228 Gr. Glen Burnie, Md./Temple HHH Expected to contend for the starting Sam linebacker spot after totaling 28 tackles and 2 sacks for the Owls last season. * On3 transfer portal rating " JJ is a very versatile, explosive player who has a tremendous football IQ, and that's something that's really underrated." Co-Defensive Coordinator Charlton Warren on JJ Johnson