The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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MAY/JUNE 2026 ■ 39 "It's way different. The recall that you have, because of how we do our offsea- son where we can install things in walk- throughs now, it really helps," Doeren said. "Those installs are coming fresh off the season. So, we're really teaching the newer players, and the older guys are coaching what we do. … Our install is really expedited now because of the recall that we have." The retention of key players on both sides of the ball enabled NC State to continue building off last season's strong finish, in which the team won four of its last five games. The defense returned a young core in the secondary that it was able to build around via the transfer portal, while junior quarterback CJ Bailey is leading the offense again. Bailey is set to become the Pack's first homegrown signal-caller since Russell Wilson to log a majority of the starts in three consecutive seasons. Roper said the veteran quarterback was able to use that experience to continue the of- fense's upward trajectory this spring. "After three years of conversations, it's just different," Roper said. "It's a huge thing for us, our offense and our university. But as far as football goes, when a guy is in his third year, he keeps mak- ing jumps. You always try to speak the same language with some- body, and it takes t i m e to ge t t h a t . That's happening more and more." A l t h o u g h t h e returning players provided a base for both units to grow, there are also transfers in key roles on both sides of the ball. But with the lone t ra n s f e r p o r - tal window oc- c u r r i n g b e fo re s p r i n g p ra c t i c e , the newcomers were able to get up to speed heading into the summer. Spring practice served as a learning experience for the new players — more than 40 newcomers were on the roster this spring between early-enrollee fresh- men and transfers — while both coordi- nators were able to see which of those players might be able to make a signifi- cant impact in the fall. "At the end of the year, there are changes in a lot of rosters in college foot- ball," Roper said. "When you get out here and you get to go full speed on the foot- ball field, you're seeing guys play for the first time that you've got to integrate into your system and figure out who you can count on to make plays for you." Last spring's difficulties are in the past. This year's offseason program was more beneficial for all parties involved, and NC State hopes that trend continues into fall camp before the season kicks off against Virginia on Aug. 29 in Rio de Janeiro. "It's night and day. It really is," redshirt junior defensive lineman Isaiah Shirley said. "Last year, we had old players, but we never played in that defense. Now we have old players that played in this defense. They can help the young guys. When he says, 'Isaiah, I want you to do this,' I know exactly how he wants it to look. He doesn't have to show me on video, and that's where we're able to take strides toward building this defense." ■ These Five Players Improved Their Stock This Spring CB Brian Nelson II After serving as one of NC State's top three cornerbacks in his first season with the program last fall, Nelson is looking to carve out a bigger role. His performance this spring seems to have him on a trajectory to start at outside cornerback in 2026. Nelson, a red- shirt junior who transferred from North Texas, logged 29 total tackles, including 1 for loss, with 6 passes defended last season. He could be one of the defense's breakout stars in 2026. S Tristan Teasdell Teasdell was one of several young safeties who had an opportunity to play significant snaps last season due to injuries in the secondary. Now a sophomore, he appeared to carry that momentum into spring practice. Teasdell posted 23 total tackles with an in- terception and a pass breakup last fall and has the staff excited after what he showed in spring practice. NC State is going to have a competition to see who starts alongside Penn State transfer King Mack at safety, and Teasdell appears to be a contender in that race. OT Jimarion McCrimon NC State believes McCrimon has what it takes to replace Jacarrius Peak, a future NFL tackle who transferred to South Carolina earlier this year. An All-American Conference per- former at East Carolina last year, McCrimon arrived in Raleigh this spring and immediately was slotted into the left tackle spot. He allowed just 6 quarterback pressures across his final eight starts last fall. After watching him this spring, NC State's offensive staff antici- pates that McCrimon will be able to perform at a high level. WR Davion Dozier NC State has lost its top five pass catchers from last season, opening the door for others in the receivers room to earn meaningful targets. Dozier, an Appalachian State transfer, has elicited some excitement. Last fall, the 6-foot-3, 195-pounder totaled 20 receptions for 448 yards and 5 scores in his first season as a starter with the Mountaineers. NC State is looking to build off that performance in 2026, and the redshirt junior showed this spring that he's on track to be a difference-maker. CB Ondre Evans Evans originally signed with Georgia as a blue-chip recruit coming out of Nashville (Tenn.) Christ Presbyterian Academy in the 2024 cycle. He redshirted as a true freshman, then missed last season with a knee injury. Now he's looking to regain his stride at NC State. Evans turned heads in spring practice, showing why he was a four-star prospect in high school. The Wolfpack is eager to see what he can do in a game situation. His perfor- mance in spring drills has him primed to make noise in the secondary this fall. — Noah Fleischman