40 ■ THE WOLFPACKER
BY NOAH FLEISCHMAN
arlier this offseason, NC
State head coach Dave Do-
eren sat down with redshirt
sophomore running back
Jayden "Duke" Scott.
Doeren had an exciting
piece of news for the former
four-star recruit: He was
being elevated to a starting spot in the
Wolfpack's backfield. But the promotion
came with a challenge. While Scott had
impressed with his ball-carrying skills
and other on-field traits during a break-
out 2025 season, he still needed to im-
prove this spring. Doeren wanted to see
Scott step forward as a team leader.
"His development isn't just playing, it's
leading," the 14th-year NC State men-
tor said. "He's a very quiet, soft-spoken
guy. The challenge I've given to Duke is
to take his voice to another level with his
teammates and to be able to utilize the
platform he's created with his work ethic,
his talent and his production on the field."
Scott excelled in a complementary
role last fall, rushing for 581 yards and 4
touchdowns on 106 carries as NC State's
No. 2 running back. It was his first taste
of consistent action after he redshirted as
a true freshman.
During the January transfer window,
NC State's top running back, Hollywood
Smothers, entered the portal and ended
up signing with Texas. Smothers' exit
ensured that Scott will be a much big-
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TONE TONE
SE SETTER TER
NC State Calls On Duke Scott To Play
A Leading Role In Its 2026 Backfield
