The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1545830
28 ■ THE WOLFPACKER ❱ ❱ ❱ WIDE RECEIVERS SOMETHING TO PROVE BY NOAH FLEISCHMAN T here's just a different feeling when a position group has some- thing to prove. Practices have a unique vibe, with each player looking to make an impact, and games are opportunities to put everything on full display. That's exactly what NC State's wide receivers room is dealing with heading into the 2026 season. Faced with the challenge of replacing last season's top four route runners, the staff brought in five transfers and four true freshmen. Miami transfer JoJo Trader, the former No. 44 overall recruit in the 2024 cycle, headlined NC State's offseason work at wide receiver. He was sparingly used by the Hurricanes, recording 19 receptions for 269 yards and 2 touchdowns over the past two years, but has a built-in relationship with Wolfpack quarterback CJ Bailey after they spent three high school seasons together. In addition to Trader, NC State landed Miami transfer Chance Robinson via the portal. He didn't record a catch in his first two collegiate seasons due to a redshirt and an injury, but Robinson grew up with Bailey and Trader as a part of the Miami Gardens Ravens youth program. In addition to the former Hurricanes, NC State acquired slot receiver Victor Snow (Buffalo), and big-play threats Davion Dozier (Appalachian State) and Tyran Warren (Alcorn State). Snow, a fifth-year senior, is coming off a 2025 season in which he amassed career-best 815 yards and 8 scores on 62 catches. NC State's returnees will also have a chance to play expanded roles. Junior Keenan Jackson, the team's top returning receiver with 281 yards and 2 scores last season, has the chance to become more of a focal point, while sophomore Je'rel Bolder is looking for his first taste of consistent action on offense. NC State's freshmen class will also lend a hand. Four-star prospects Amiri Acker and Tyreek Copper headline the class, with the latter having totaled 105 receptions for 2,242 yards and 33 touchdowns as a senior at Kinston (N.C.) High. The wideouts room has undergone big changes, but coach Dave Doeren is comfortable with the group his staff has assembled. "These guys produced in the spring," he said. "They were competitive, they were consistent, they learned the offense, they're fun to be around. A lot of them are guys that are trying to prove themselves at this level, and there's a nice chip on their shoulder too." SPOTLIGHT PLAYER JUNIOR KEENAN JACKSON Jackson found his way onto the field as a true freshman two seasons ago thanks to his standout blocking skills. He earned the coaching staff's trust with his effort-based play, which made him NC State's most-used wideout, in terms of snaps, with 604 as a sophomore last fall. Now, he's looking to break through as a pass catcher in his critical junior season. Jackson has recorded 40 receptions for 405 yards and 4 touchdowns to this point in his collegiate ca- reer, setting the stage for a quality third campaign. Offensive coordinator Kurt Roper expects a breakout season from Jackson. "He's got great size, great hands, and he understands the game at a high level," Roper said. "He's going to be a big-time play- maker for us." ■ POSITIONAL GRADES ★★★★ Among country's best; ★★★ Among ACC's best; ★★ Solid or has potential; ★ Too unproven STARTERS ★★ Keenan Jackson is the only returning starter at wide receiver, leaving the door open for others to earn starting spots alongside him. At this point, it appears JoJo Trader and Victor Snow are likely to slot into those roles, though the reserves will also see plenty of action. EXPERIENCE ★★ NC State built a quality group of players based on age, meshing seniors well with underclassmen. But the three incoming veterans are looking to prove themselves at the power-conference level after impressing in the Group of Five and FCS ranks last season. DEPTH ★★½ Joker Phillips knows how to recruit at a high level. His room required an extensive rebuild this offseason, but he was able to use the portal and high school ranks to his advantage. OVERALL GRADE: ★★ NC State's offense needs weapons for CJ Bailey to be successful at quarterback. The retooled wide receiving corps has the potential to provide that for the junior signal-caller. PROJECTED DEPTH CHART STARTERS No. Name Cl. Ht. Wt. Hometown 2 Joshisa "JoJo" Trader Jr. 6-1 190 Hollywood, Fla. 8 Keenan Jackson Jr. 6-3 202 Waxhaw, N.C. 0 Victor Snow 5th 5-8 170 Webster, N.Y. BACKUPS 13 Tyran Warren Sr. 6-3 180 Picayune, Miss. 5 Davion Dozier Sr. 6-3 195 Moody, Ala. 82 Chance Robinson Jr. 6-2 205 Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 6 Ashton Locklear Gr. 6-1 188 Apex, N.C. WAITING IN THE WINGS 21 Je'rel Bolder So. 6-0 212 Wingate, N.C. 83 Amiri Acker Fr. 6-2 190 Iva, S.C. 85 Tyreek Copper Fr. 6-1 185 Kinston, N.C. 22 Aiden Smalls Fr. 5-11 183 Clayton, N.C. 89 Jai Richburg Fr. 6-2 190 Winston-Salem, N.C. PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE FOOTBALL BY THE NUMBERS 2 Number of state single-season records Tyreek Copper set as a senior at Kinston (N.C.) High. He accounted for 2,242 yards to shatter Sage Surratt's 2016 record (2,104) and also reeled in 33 scores to edge Mohamed Massaquoi's 2004 mark (32). 67.9 Percent of NC State's receiving yards that the wideouts accounted for last season. 2,131 Yards that CJ Bailey and JoJo Trader combined to produce in their three seasons as a pass-catch combo at Chami- nade-Madonna Prep in Hollywood, Fla. KEENAN JACKSON