NC State Hosts Oregon Transfer LB Kamar Mothudi as Portal Deadline Looms
RALEIGH, N.C. - As the transfer portal window nears its close, NC State is making a late push to bolster its linebacker room - and one of the biggest names on campus right now is Oregon transfer Kamar Mothudi.
Mothudi, a former four-star recruit and one of the top linebackers in the 2024 class, is in Raleigh for an official visit. He’s already made a stop at Purdue earlier this week and is scheduled to visit Cal this coming weekend. But for now, the Wolfpack have his full attention - and they’re hoping to make a strong impression before the clock runs out on this critical portal window.
At 6-foot-3 and 244 pounds, Mothudi brings the kind of size and athleticism that jumps off the tape. He came out of Los Alamitos High School (CA) as a highly touted prospect, ranked No. 175 nationally and No. 13 among linebackers in his class. He played in the All-American Bowl before enrolling early at Oregon, where he’s spent the last two years developing his frame and adjusting to the college game - adding nearly 30 pounds in the process.
Despite limited playing time in 2025 - just 24 defensive snaps across six regular-season games - Mothudi drew praise from the Ducks’ coaching staff heading into the offseason. Oregon didn’t pursue additional linebacker help in the portal, a sign of their confidence in his upside. But with the portal now open and Mothudi exploring new opportunities, NC State sees a chance to add a high-ceiling defender to a linebacker group that’s still looking to replace key departures.
The Wolfpack lost Caden Fordham and Kenny Soares this offseason, leaving a noticeable gap in the middle of the defense. While transfers like Harvey Dyson and King Mack have helped stabilize the unit, the staff is still actively looking for more reinforcements. Mothudi isn’t the only linebacker visiting this weekend - Penn State’s DaKaari Nelson is also expected to be on campus - as NC State looks to solidify its depth ahead of spring ball.
Time is tight. The NCAA’s revised transfer rules mean the current portal window, which opened on Jan. 2, officially closes on Jan.
- After that, schools can still add players under certain conditions - especially for teams that make the College Football Playoff - but the traditional spring window is no longer an option.
That puts even more pressure on programs to finalize their rosters now, whether it’s bringing in potential starters or simply shoring up depth.
For NC State, the next few days could be pivotal. Mothudi has the physical tools and recruiting pedigree to make an immediate impact, and with the linebacker room still in flux, the opportunity is there. Now it’s up to the Wolfpack to close the deal.