And another: NC State football loses fourth key defender to transfer portal in one night
N.C. State’s defense took another hit overnight after the announcement that it is losing another safety to the transfer portal.
Safety Bishop Fitzgerald is the fourth defensive player to announce his departure since Thursday evening, joining Brandon Cisse, Tamarcus Cooley and Devan Boykin. Like the trio, Fitzgerald’s decision was unexpected. He shared his news via On3.
Fitzgerald told reporters before the Wolfpack’s appearance in the Military Bowl he was going to return for the 2025 season thanks to an NCAA ruling that indicated junior college players could retain all four years of eligibility. He is expected to have one season remaining.
The senior from Virginia earned All-ACC Honorable mention in 2024 for his 7 pass breakups, 3 interceptions, 51 tackles and forced fumble in the regular season. He added four tackles, including a tackle for loss, and a breakup in the bowl loss to East Carolina.
Fitzgerald played two seasons for N.C. State, during which he contributed 97 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, five interceptions and 11 pass breakups. Fitzgerald added a forced fumble against Cal-Berkeley, as well.
Fitzgerald’s announcement came just after midnight on Friday, days after head coach Dave Doeren announced changes to the defensive coaching staff. DJ Eliot was hired as the defensive coordinator. Freddie Aughtry-Lindsay was promoted to the co-defensive coordinator and nickelbacks and safeties coach. Joe DeForest previously coached the safeties, but opted to retire.
Unlike Cisse, Cooley and Boykin, Fitzgerald had not signed with One Pack NIL collective at the beginning of December. He did not know at the time that he would be eligible for another season; the NCAA’s rule change did not come until Dec. 23.
The transfer portal closed on Dec. 28 for midyear transfers, but it reopens on April 16 and remains open until April 25 for remaining players.
