As the college football transfer portal window gets set to open, NC State is already seeing a significant wave of departures. Thirteen players have officially announced their intent to transfer out of the program, signaling a roster shake-up that’s likely just getting started.
Let’s break it down.
Who’s on the move?
The list spans both sides of the ball, though it leans heavier on offensive skill positions. Here's a look at the players heading out:
Offense:
- WR Terrell Anderson (SO)
- WR Tank Boston (RS FR)
- OL Val Erickson (RS JR)
- WR Noah Rogers (RS SO)
- RB Hollywood Smothers (RS SO)
- OL Brock Stukes (JR)
- WR Christian Zachary (RS FR)
Defense:
- DL Josh Alexander-Felton (RS FR)
- S Daemon Fagan (RS SO)
- LB Elijah Groves (RS FR)
- LB Kelvon McBride (RS SO)
- S Zack Myers (RS SO)
- DL Justin Terrell (RS FR)
It’s a long list, but context matters here. Outside of a few notable names, most of these players didn’t see significant snaps in 2025.
That’s not to say they didn’t have potential-many of them were young, still developing, and looking for the right fit. But in a competitive program like NC State’s, if a player hasn’t cracked the two-deep by now, the writing may be on the wall.
What does this mean for NC State?
On the surface, it might look like a mass exodus, but this isn’t uncommon in today’s college football landscape. Between the transfer portal, NIL opportunities, and the ever-present pull of playing time, roster churn is part of the new normal.
And let’s be honest-some of these moves are mutually beneficial. Players want a shot to contribute, and programs need room to bring in fresh talent that fits their evolving schemes.
The wide receiver room takes the biggest hit numerically, with four players leaving. But again, playing time tells the story. With established starters and incoming talent likely to push for roles, these departures could open the door for new faces to emerge.
On defense, the losses are spread more evenly across the front seven and the secondary. The departures of safeties Daemon Fagan and Zack Myers, along with linebackers Elijah Groves and Kelvon McBride, thin out the depth chart, but don’t gut the core. These are young players who may have found themselves buried behind more experienced teammates or rising underclassmen.
What’s next?
Expect more names to enter the portal once the window officially opens. That’s just the nature of the game now.
Tampering is a reality, and players are more empowered than ever to explore their options. NC State, like every program, will be active on both sides of the portal-losing some pieces, gaining others.
The key for the Wolfpack isn’t just who leaves, but who they bring in. With scholarships opening up, the staff has an opportunity to target immediate contributors-especially in positions where depth is now a concern. Whether that’s a plug-and-play offensive lineman, a veteran safety, or a big-play receiver, the portal giveth as much as it taketh away.
Final thoughts
This isn’t a crisis-it’s roster management in the modern era. Thirteen players moving on may sound like a lot, but when you dig into the details, most of these exits were foreseeable.
And for the players, a new start could be exactly what they need. Whether that’s in the MAC or elsewhere, they’ll be chasing opportunity, just like every other athlete in the portal.
For NC State, the focus now shifts to reloading. The offseason is just beginning, and the next few weeks will go a long way in shaping what this team looks like in 2026.