NC State football named its new No. 1 this summer. ‘He’s a special young man’
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- Dave Doeren announced Duke Scott would wear N.C. State jersey No. 1 earlier this year.
- Scott had a 3.78 GPA in 2025-26 and earned All-ACC Academic honors.
- Scott is the first offensive player to earn the jersey since 2018.
The traditional number swap came a little bit earlier this year.
N.C. State head coach Dave Doeren announced on June 1 that running back Duke Scott would wear jersey No. 1, an honor given to a player who not only shows impressive talent and athleticism but boasts an exemplary work ethic, training habits and leadership.
The naming of No. 1 typically comes during fall camp. Caden Fordham earned his No. 1 jersey last August. So did Davin Vann before him. But it didn’t take long for the Pack to identify its guy this season.
“That represents the totality of who we are. A total representation of a student-athlete,” Doeren said on Wednesday at ACC Kickoff in Charlotte. “It really wasn’t hard, to be honest. Sat down and thought about a lot of guys on the team. It’s really obvious when you get to know Duke.”
Scott averaged 5.5 yards per carry last season and led the Wolfpack to a win over then-undefeated Georgia Tech with a 196-yard performance. He was ACC Running Back of the Week, ACC Rookie of the Week and runner-up for AP National Player of the Week.
He had a 3.78 GPA for the 2025-26 academic year, earning All-ACC Academic honors. The young running back was named to Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks” list last season, and is among the fastest and strongest players on the team.
Scott said there was a time when he would’ve shied away from the opportunity and would not have been the guy for the role. Now, the junior fearlessly embraces the position and its meaning.
“It represents everything about the Wolfpack football team,” Scott said. “That’s what I want to represent.”
Junior quarterback CJ Bailey admits he’s a little bit surprised to see Scott wearing No. 1. It wasn’t that he doubted his teammate’s talent or effort, but would he have what it takes to lead vocally?
Everyone mentioned his naturally quiet nature. Even Doeren said during his press conference this trait can make it difficult to truly know Scott.
However, they also noted his exponential growth.
“Look at him right now,” Bailey said, looking from his media table to Scott’s. “The change he had so far has been different. He was a quiet guy. You should see how much he uses voice now. He literally talks every day to help motivate others, lead others. It’s been big to see from him. I’m so happy for him. He’s becoming an actual man for real. It’s very surprising because like when I first met Duke, he was so laid back, and now he’s just so upbeat. He took on his role. I’m saying he got that No. 1 and now is like, ‘This is what I got to do.’”
Senior defensive tackle Isaiah Shirley also credited the running back’s humility. Shirley said that’s arguably one of the biggest reasons he earned the jersey. Scott isn’t going to brag on himself, Shirley said, and looked somewhat bashful during the press conference when his successes were mentioned.
But the four-year Wolfpacker said Scott has always been a hard worker and good person, doing things the right way and with the utmost care. He can hold a teammate accountable and will do what he can to help — on or off the field. Scott also accepts coaching, never too big to hear from others.
“You don’t want a hypocrite in that position,” Shirley said, “and he’s far from that.”
Scott redshirted his freshman season, playing behind Jordan Waters, Kendrick Raphael and Hollywood Smothers. Last year, he stepped into the spotlight late in the year after Smothers suffered an injury. He used that opportunity to prove to his teammates, and the nation, what he could do.
The junior is the first offensive player to earn the jersey since wide receiver Stephen Louis wore it in 2018. Scott is also the third offensive player in Doeren’s tenure after Jaylen Samuels wore No. 1 in 2016 and 2017.
“He’s a special young man,” Doeren said. “I know he’s going to wear the number well. He’s earned the opportunity to wear it. I know that he’ll go out and play well for us.”
