NC State’s depth chart for Saturday’s Senior Day matchup with Syracuse comes with a few notable shakeups, and most of them trace back to the injuries the Wolfpack absorbed against Duke.
The biggest absences are easy to spot. Wide receiver Keenan Jackson, linebacker Popo Aguirre, safety Ronnie Royal III and tight end Hunter Provience are no longer listed on the updated chart.
In the game notes released by NC State, Jackson is “expected to be out this week” while Aguirre and Royal “look to miss time.” No timetable was provided for either player.
That opens the door for several new names to move up. Tyran Warren and Amiri Acker are now listed as outside receivers, freshman Jordan Moreta has joined the starting lineup at linebacker next to freshman Ziggy Moore, Preston Douglas remains on the tight end depth chart after missing last week with an injury, and Brody Barnhardt is listed as the starter at free safety.
NC State will try to bounce back at home against Syracuse and get back to .500 overall on the season after the loss to Duke.
On offense, the chart keeps CJ Bailey as the starter at quarterback with Will Wilson behind him. Davion Gause remains at running back with Duke Scott listed as the other option, followed by Darius Johnson and Deandre Desinor. Up front, Jimarion McCrimon is at left tackle, Trent Mitchell at left guard, Teague Andersen at center, Kamen Smith at right guard and Rico Jackson at right tackle.
At tight end, Preston Douglas is still listed ahead of Tex Vaughn. The receiver group shows Chance Robinson, Davion Dozier and Tyreek Copper at one spot, Victor Snow with Ashton Locklear and Je’rel Bolder at another, and Tyran Warren with Amiri Acker at the third outside receiver position.
The defensive changes are where the injuries really show up. Joseph Adedire and Chase Bond are listed at defensive end, with Adrian Farrow also on the chart.
Josiah Victor and KaTron Evans are listed at nose guard, while Isaiah Shirley and Omarian Abraham are at defensive tackle. Harvey Dyson III is the JACK, with Elijah Satchell and Ke’Von Carter behind him.
Moreta now starts at middle linebacker, with Zane Williams behind him. Ziggy Moore is at weakside linebacker with Da’Kaari Nelson listed next.
In the secondary, Jackson Vick and Ty White are at nickel, Michael Tate and Jaren Sensabaugh at corner, King Mack and Pluto Surratt at safety, and Barnhardt at free safety. Chino Aguirre is listed behind Barnhardt, while Brian Nelson II and Jamel Johnson are at the other corner spot.
Special teams stays steady, with Kanoah Vinesett handling kicking duties, Jackson Waller listed at punter and holder, Aiden Arias at long snapper, Victor Snow at punt returner, and King Mack and Jonathan Paylor back deep on kick returns.
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Cotchery also brings something harder to measure than experience: a direct connection to Rivers from their days together at NC State. With staff decisions still to come, his name has surfaced as one to watch if the new era starts leaning on people who know the program, know the quarterback, and know what it means to wear the Wolfpack uniform. [Read more 🡒]