NC State tight end Justin Joly selected in 2026 NFL Draft. Where he’s headed
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Denver Broncos selected N.C. State tight end Justin Joly with the 152nd pick.
- Joly finished his Wolfpack career with 1,129 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns.
- Joly transferred from Connecticut in 2024 and played two full seasons in Raleigh.
N.C. State’s list of Pack Pros got longer after one of its star defensive players heard his name in the draft.
The Denver Broncos selected tight end Justin Joly on Saturday during the fifth round as the 152nd overall pick. This is the 11th straight season a Wolfpack player has heard his name called. Under head coach Dave Doeren, N.C. State has produced at least one draft pick in all but one season.
Despite being ranked No. 5 at the position and No. 92 overall, according to ESPN, draft analyst Mel Kiper had Joly listed as the third-best tight end and No. 105 overall prospect. Joly fell drastically in the draft class and was the 11th tight end selected. Six players were ranked behind him, including four who were ranked No. 10 or below.
ESPN broadcaster Louis Riddick complimented Joly’s flexibility at the position and his ability to gain yards after the catch when in a receiving role.
Joly received an invitation to the NFL Combine in February, but did not perform any testing or athletic drills because of a minor injury. He performed every event except the 40-yard dash at N.C. State’s pro day last month. Joly said he wasn’t able to give his best effort in the event but believed he could perform well in the others without setting back his recovery.
The senior received positive feedback from scouts who appreciated his versatility, both as a receiving and blocking tight end. He told reporters at Pro Day he planned to continue working out and had meetings with several teams scheduled.
Joly planned to watch the draft with his loved ones, he said at Pro Day. He liked to think he’d be calm, but knew better.
“When the time comes, it’s probably going to be out-of-body experience,” Joly said. “For the guys that I know who are in the draft right now, I’m just rooting for them, because why not? Everyone’s chasing their dreams at the end of the day.”
Joly transferred to N.C. State from Connecticut in 2024 and played two full seasons in Raleigh. He was considered one of the top tight ends in the nation through his two years.
He finished with 1,129 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns in his Wolfpack career. In 2025, Joly’s overall yardage dropped to 468 yards — roughly 200 fewer yards than last season — but he scored seven times, the most touchdowns in a single season during Joly’s career. He received First Team All-ACC honors in 2025.
According to Pro Football Focus, Joly finished with a 77.9 offensive grade and 81.6 when participating in pass plays. He also ranked No. 6 among FBS tight ends for receiving (81.6).
Joly said transferring to N.C. State helped him mature as an athlete and individual. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to play for the program and develop into an NFL-worthy candidate.
“I really haven’t had the time to sit back, process and realize that damn, my time is done; full circle,” Joly said. “I played against you guys my first two years, and now I’m part of the crew. I’m about to be a Pack Pro. It’s just amazing. Not everybody gets this opportunity.”
This story was originally published April 25, 2026 at 3:13 PM.
