The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1536961
TRACKING THE PACK JULY/AUGUST 2025 ■ 19 PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE FOOTBALL PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE FOOTBALL It was clear NC State would take big swings in the transfer portal under new coach Will Wade, and though it took until late May, the Wolfpack came away with one of the best transfers in the country in [former Texas Tech forward Darrion] Williams. He's versatile, he's a mis- match for most opponents and he gives Wade a go-to guy for his first season in Raleigh." — ESPN's Jeff Borzello, explaining why he ranked NC State's incoming transfer class as the country's 13th-best After their first losing record in five years, the Wolfpack look for a bounce-back season. In 12 years under [DAVE] DOEREN, they followed their two other losing seasons with eight- win campaigns. The Wolfpack will have a chance to avenge the 26-21 Military Bowl loss to East Carolina since they open the sea- son against the Pirates. The early schedule appears much more manageable, and NC State won't leave its home state until the sec- ond half of the schedule." — Lindy's College Football on the Pack's outlook this fall With two new coor- dinators, NC State is bound to look differ- ent on the field in 2025. The Wolfpack want to operate fast on offense, while getting sacks and tackles for a loss in bunches on defense. It'll be interesting to see which side of the ball emerges as this team's strength, but the offense, led by [CJ] Bailey, seems to have the upper hand so far." — Athlon Sports' assessment of NC State heading into the 2025 football season 64th JUSTIN JOLY'S spot on On3's list of the top 100 play- ers in college football this season. The senior tight end, who transferred from Connecticut last year, caught 43 passes for 661 yards in his debut season with the Pack. His average of 15.4 yards per catch was fourth-best among FBS tight ends last year. The other school was too dumb to play him. When he plays 28-plus minutes — he's done that in 23 games — he averages 15 [points] and 8 [rebounds]. I don't know why the hell they didn't play him, but we're going to play him, so he's going to average 15 and 8." — NC State men's basketball coach WILL WADE on senior forward Ven-Allen Lubin, who is transferring from UNC to NC State PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE ATHLETICS