The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1545830
JULY/AUGUST 2026 ■ 29 ❱ ❱ ❱ TIGHT ENDS STARTING OVER BY DAVID ALLEN W ith Justin Joly, Cody Hardy and Dante Daniels off to the professional ranks, NC State head coach Dave Doeren will have to rely on several new targets to replace the outgoing production at the tight end position. Joly paced the Wolfpack in re- ceptions (49) and receiving touchdowns (7) on his way to an All-ACC season and a spot in the fifth round of the NFL Draft, where he was chosen by the Denver Broncos. Earlier this summer, Doeren conceded that the tight end position is "probably the biggest ques- tion mark — not because of talent, but because 100 percent of our snaps last year are gone at that position." The contenders to step up for the Wolfpack include returning sophomore Preston Doug- las and a couple of transfers. Douglas turned heads during spring prac- tice and emerged as the top option to re- place Joly in the passing game. The 6-foot-3, 228-pounder was buried behind more-experi- enced teammates on last year's depth chart but now is primed to be a featured player in offensive coordinator Kurt Roper's attack. While he caught only 1 pass — an 18-yarder against Memphis in the Gasparilla Bowl — he contributed on special teams while awaiting his chance to be a bigger part of the offensive game plan. His high- light came when he gained 2 yards on a fake punt against North Carolina, picking up a first down on what would turn out to be a touch- down drive for the Wolfpack. "Douglas got to play in our bowl game, and he was good on special teams toward the end of the year," Doeren said. "He had a good spring." Seeking additional help, NC State dipped into the transfer portal and landed former four-star recruit Vander Ploog from Oregon. Listed by On3 as the No. 18 tight end in the portal this year, Ploog did not see action as a true freshman with the Ducks. Before arriving in Eugene, he was a a prep standout at Troy High in Fullerton, Calif., racking up 1,148 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior. Another transfer portal find for the Wolfpack was 6-5, 245-pound Hunter Provience from Montana State. The senior tallied 11 catches for 131 yards and a score on his way to winning an FCS national title with the Bobcats. Ian Flynt and Gus Ritchey are two players who could make an impact. Flynt is a junior who transferred from Nebraska in 2025 and took snaps in two games for the Pack last season. Ritchey is a former Cary (N.C.) High standout who totaled 2,100 yards and 22 touchdowns in his prep career. Both will be expected to provide depth this fall. "There's competition, there's new faces," Doeren said. "But now we've got to get these guys on the field and get them going." PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE FOOTBALL SPOTLIGHT PLAYER SENIOR HUNTER PROVIENCE Provience is making the leap from the FCS level to the Power Four, having played previously at Montana State. But at 6-foot-5, 245 pounds, he's got the size NC State is looking for, and he brings impressive credentials as a blocker. During the Bobcats' FCS championship season in 2025, Provience was used as a run blocker on 225 of his 356 total offensive snaps, earning a 65.3 grade from Pro Football Fo- cus. His run-blocking marks from PFF were over 65.0 in all three of his collegiate seasons, headlined by a 70.3 mark as a sophomore. BY THE NUMBERS 37 Touchdown receptions by Vander Ploog during his career at Troy High in Fullerton, Calif. 43 Yards gained by Hunter Provience on his season-long catch last year, a touchdown strike in Montana State's 57-3 vic- tory over Eastern Washington. 62 Combined receptions by tight ends Justin Joly, Dante Dan- iels and Cody Hardy last season, totaling 22.1 percent of the Wolfpack's 280 catches as a team. ■ POSITIONAL GRADES ★★★★ Among country's best; ★★★ Among ACC's best; ★★ Solid or has potential; ★ Too unproven STARTER ★½ NC State just doesn't have any proven players at this position group. Preston Douglas and Vander Ploog appear to be the top candidates for the starting job, but they've got 1 career catch between them. EXPERIENCE ★ Hunter Provience is the only tight end on the roster with more than a handful of offensive snaps, and his experience to date has all been at the FCS level. DEPTH ★★ With seven scholarship tight ends on the roster, the Pack has options here, even if it lacks experience. The addition of Ploog and Provience via the portal addressed a critical need. OVERALL GRADE ★½ Dave Doeren said it himself: This is probably the Wolfpack's biggest question mark going into the season. Douglas and Ploog could both emerge as reliable op- tions for junior quarterback CJ Bailey in the passing game. But for now, at least, we're talking about potential. PROJECTED DEPTH CHART STARTER No. Name Cl. Ht. Wt. Hometown 19 Preston Douglas So. 6-3 228 Jupiter, Fla. BACKUPS 87 Ian Flynt Jr. 6-4 265 Katy, Texas 88 Vander Ploog So. 6-6 230 Fullerton, Calif. 86 Hunter Provience Sr. 6-5 245 San Diego 44 Gus Ritchey So. 6-2 235 Pittsboro, N.C. WAITING IN THE WINGS 84 Stephen Brown Fr. 6-6 200 Chicago 45 Tex Vaughn Fr. 6-2 231 Kings Mountain, N.C. HUNTER PROVIENCE