UNC running back entered the portal. He’s now headed to NC State
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- N.C. State added RB Davion Gause from UNC after his official visit.
- Gause has 585 college yards, seven TDs and a PFF pass-block grade of 82.1.
- Addition boosts Wolfpack backfield depth and adds receiving versatility and agility.
N.C. State football picked up the commitment of a former opponent this weekend.
Running back Davion Gause, who spent the last two seasons at North Carolina, announced his decision Saturday evening. He reunites with a former teammate, Wolfpack quarterback CJ Bailey, both of whom played at Chaminade-Madonna.
Gause played in 12 games last fall, recording 259 rushing yards and three touchdowns. He finished the 2025 season with five games of at least 30 rushing yards and two of 50 yards or more. He rushed one time for 5 yards in the Tar Heels’ 42-19 loss to N.C. State.
In his first two years on the college level, Gause combined for 585 total yards and seven scores.
Gause played as a receiver as well, recording 132 yards and two touchdowns this past season.
Gause, who played alongside Demon June, Benjamin Hall and Caleb Hood, was the most effective overall running back for Carolina, according to Pro Football Focus. The sophomore finished the season with a 73.1 offensive grade on PFF and led the team’s pass-blocking efforts. He finished with a pass block grade of 82.1.
The Wolfpack hosted Gause this weekend for his official visit, after he entered the transfer portal last month.
His addition provides depth at the running back spot after the Wolfpack lost Hollywood Smothers to the transfer portal. Duke Scott will likely be RB1 entering the season, but he is more of a downhill runner. Gause, like Smothers, could provide more versatility and agility.
During his senior high school season, Gause ran for 1,047 yards and 14 touchdowns after receiving the handoff from Bailey.
Gause’s decision comes eight days after N.C. State announced Bailey’s return as quarterback. The incoming tailback re-shared an Instagram story celebrating the duo’s new chapter in the Wolfpack backfield.
The Wolfpack is no stranger to flipping players. Most notably, former linebacker Payton Wilson flipped his high school commitment from UNC to N.C. State. On signing day, head coach Dave Doeren announced rookie outside linebacker Lawrence Brown had selected N.C. State.
