NC State football tries to offset impact transfer portal losses at RB, WR
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Wolfpack lost players to portal but added a 12-player class to fill 2026 needs.
- Class fills roster gaps: seven offensive, four defensive players and one punter.
- Transfer class ranks No.54 nationally, features eleven three-star and six FBS transfers.
N.C. State football lost several players to the transfer portal, but the portal also gave the program several players who could help the team in 2026.
The transfer portal opened on Jan. 2 and closed to new entrants Friday night. Schools can still sign players who have already entered the portal.
While most of N.C. State’s losses to the portal were players who saw little playing time, running back Hollywood Smothers, wide receivers Noah Rogers and Terrell Anderson, and offensive lineman Jacarrius Peak were among the starters to leave the program.
The Wolfpack’s incoming haul doesn’t rank high in the national recruiting rankings, coming in at No. 54 nationally and No. 11 in the ACC. Despite the lack of blue-chip commits, N.C. State’s transfer class fills needs in major areas with a number of commitments.
Eleven of the 12 transfers earned three-star ratings on 247Sports and six come from FBS programs. Seven are offensive players, four are defensive and one is a punter.
Additionally, three were major contributors on their 2025 teams.
Mack, Dyson arrive to help defense
Defensive back King Mack and edge rusher Harvey Dyson are two of the most significant and high-profile transfers for N.C. State in this transfer portal cycle.
Mack, a safety from Penn State, joins a talented position group that includes Ronnie Royal, Tristan Teasedell and Brody Barnhardt. He is expected to be a major contributor next fall after a stellar season with the Nittany Lions. He recorded 58 tackles, three pass deflections and one interception.
According to Pro Football Focus, Mack only allowed 67 yards when he played in coverage. He started in eight of 13 games, becoming a bright spot for Penn State in a difficult season.
Mack received All-Big Ten Honorable Mention for his efforts. He played two seasons for the Nittany Lions (2023, 2025) and one season at Alabama (2024), bringing a wealth of experience to the Wolfpack.
Dyson, meanwhile, joins the Wolfpack for a graduate season. He spent three years at Texas Tech before playing at Tulane in 2025.
The edge rusher was one of the best in FBS and led the American Conference with eight sacks, including seven unassisted, to help the Green Wave earn a spot in the College Football Playoff. He added 36 tackles and 11.5 tackles for loss. Dyson started in 14 games, including the first-round playoff game against Ole Miss. He finished with one sack for a loss of 8 yards and a forced fumble.
Dyson is expected to play the JACK position, a hybrid between a defensive end and linebacker, replacing Cian Slone and Tra Thomas. Slone and Thomas were disruptive up front, combining for 85 tackles and 5.5 sacks. Slone added one interception, pass breakup and fumble recovery, while Thomas forced one fumble.
With their departures, the Pack was in need of another tough man up front who could pressure opposing quarterbacks. They appear to have found him in Dyson.
N.C. State also added offensive lineman Daniel Cruz (Texas), cornerback Ondre Evans (Georgia) and a handful of successful FCS transfers.
Transfer class has ties to NC State, roster
N.C. State’s transfer class also includes plenty of familiarity that should pay dividends next fall.
Mack and Miami transfer Chance Robinson both attended St. Thomas Aquinas High School, while returning N.C. State quarterback CJ Bailey and incoming running back Davion Gause (North Carolina) were teammates at Chaminade-Madonna High School. Though the two teams are in different divisions, there’s recognition and overlap with the schools being just 10 miles apart.
Jimarion McCrimon is an offensive tackle who transferred from East Carolina and played against the Wolfpack twice. Ty White, a cornerback from UNC, has not appeared in a rivalry game but was part of the team in 2024 and 2025.
Though there are no guarantees with any roster, having established relationships and familiarity can go a long way.
N.C. State has an opportunity to grab a few more guys once the portal closes, but the current class should be solid and work well with what it has on the roster already.
This story was originally published January 16, 2026 at 6:00 AM.
