The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1545830
JULY/AUGUST 2026 ■ 31 ❱ ❱ ❱ DEFENSIVE LINE NEW-LOOK FRONT COMES TOGETHER BY NOAH FLEISCHMAN A fter relying on veterans Sabastian Harsh, Brandon Cleveland and Travali Price last fall, NC State is set to deploy a new-look front in 2026. The Wolfpack's departed trio, all of whom exhausted their eli- gibility after last season, have left three critical roles open for the taking. The most intriguing of those positions is the nose guard spot, where there's still a lot to be decided. "It was occupied by Brandon Cleveland for a long time, so there are some new faces in there that aren't very experienced," coach Dave Doeren said. "They're talented, and they're great kids." Marshall transfer Katron Evans, who is awaiting an NCAA waiver to be eligible for this season, is the headliner at Cleveland's former spot, but sophomore Josiah Victor is also expected to play a key role at the position. Additionally, sophomore Omarian Abraham and true freshman Carmelo McKenzie provide depth for the Pack against opposing centers. But, as Doeren noted, this group isn't long on experience. The four have combined for 609 total collegiate snaps, with Evans supplying 478. Now a graduate student, he previously spent time at Jackson State, Charlotte and Marshall, totaling 34 tackles, in- cluding 5.5 for loss and 1.5 sacks, during his college career. While the nose guard position has a sense of uncertainty about it, NC State is excited about what it has at its defensive tackle and end spots in the three-man front. At defensive tackle, senior Isaiah Shirley has generated a lot of buzz this summer. He served as a rotational defender last sea- son, posting 15 tackles and an interception that he returned for a touchdown versus Wake Forest. Shirley is likely to step into the starting role to begin the season, and NC State also has high hopes for its backups at the position — former junior college transfer AJ Prim and sophomore Colby Cronk. On the opposite side of the line, the Wolfpack likes how former Texas Tech transfer Joseph Adedire has looked this offseason. He has a chance to earn the starting defensive end spot, but junior Chase Bond has made a push with his own improved play. Both Adedire and Bond are ex- pected to see significant action. BY THE NUMBERS 41 Yards that Isaiah Shirley covered to score his first career pick-six in NC State's 34-24 win at Wake Forest last season. 50 Colby Cronk's career sack total at Flagler (Fla.) Palm Coast High. 84 Quarterback pres- sures from last season that NC State will be looking to replace following its graduation losses on the defensive line. ■ POSITIONAL GRADES ★★★★ Among country's best; ★★★ Among ACC's best; ★★ Solid or has potential; ★ Too unproven STARTERS ★★ Katron Evans has the most experience at nose guard, so the NCAA's decision on his eligibility waiver will affect the team's depth at the position. Joseph Adedire and Isaiah Shirley are eager to carve out starting roles after impressing as backups last season. EXPERIENCE ★★ NC State's two-deep is young and doesn't boast a lot of experience, but most of the players who will see action have been featured at some point in their careers. There is a quality mix of seniors/graduates and underclassmen. DEPTH ★★ The Wolfpack has seven players who have played collegiately on the defensive line before, creating an opportunity for different faces to work their way into the lineup. NC State will likely rotate through the two-deep since it likes the impact the reserves can provide in small doses. OVERALL GRADE ★★ NC State is getting set for its second year in D.J. Eliot's system. That should pro- vide continuity for the returning players in the rotation. PROJECTED DEPTH CHART STARTERS No. Name Cl. Ht. Wt. Hometown 13 Joseph Adedire 5th 6-3 260 Arlington, Texas 55 Katron Evans Gr. 6-3 336 Norfolk, Va. 88 Isaiah Shirley Sr. 6-3 280 Boone, N.C. BACKUPS 92 Chase Bond Jr. 6-4 265 Massillon, Ohio 47 Adrian Farrow So. 6-4 265 Miami, Fla. 99 AJ Prim Sr. 6-2 287 Foley, Ala. 90 Josiah Victor So. 6-2 312 Loganville, Ga. WAITING IN THE WINGS 56 Omarian Abraham So. 6-1 297 Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 34 Colby Cronk So. 6-3 270 Palm Coast, Fla. 93 Carmelo McKenzie Fr. 6-1 313 York, Pa. SPOTLIGHT PLAYER GRADUATE NOSE GUARD KATRON EVANS Evans needs an NCAA waiver to play a sixth season, but NC State was confi- dent as of early July it would be approved. Coach Dave Doeren called the case a "no-brainer" after the nose guard appeared in one game during the 2022 and '23 seasons due to a series of family tragedies. Evans is a critical part of the Wolfpack's defensive plans for the coming sea- son, making the resolution of his case one of the keys to NC State's offseason. "It's a game changer if we have him," Doeren said. While Evans can fill the role in the middle of NC State's defensive line, he has also been an impactful force for the younger nose guards on the roster. "He's a great teammate," defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot said. "He's positive, he's vocal and he's already built some really good relationships." ISAIAH SHIRLEY PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE FOOTBALL