NC State Bolsters Backfield with Addition of Former Tar Heel Davion Gause
As the transfer portal deadline looms, NC State has wasted no time making strategic moves to solidify its roster for the 2026 season. With one eye on the future and the other on plugging immediate holes, the Wolfpack made a key addition to its backfield by landing former UNC running back Davion Gause - a move that could pay dividends right away.
The timing couldn’t have been more critical. NC State lost Hollywood Smothers, a highly touted back who flipped his commitment to Texas after previously pledging to Alabama.
That left a void behind freshman standout Duke Scott, who showed flashes of star potential in his debut campaign. Scott racked up nearly 600 yards on 106 carries, including a breakout 196-yard performance against Georgia Tech when Smothers was sidelined.
He’s clearly capable of carrying the load, but every lead back needs a reliable running mate - and that’s where Gause comes in.
Gause arrives from Chapel Hill with two years of ACC experience under his belt. While his numbers might not jump off the page - 585 rushing yards over two seasons - the consistency is there.
He posted 259 yards this past season and 326 as a freshman, seeing nearly identical workloads in both years (67 carries in Year 1, 61 in Year 2). Add in 16 receptions and five total touchdowns, and you’ve got a back who’s been quietly productive, even in a limited role.
What makes Gause a particularly intriguing fit for NC State is his efficiency. He’s averaged just under five yards per carry in his college career - a mark that speaks to his vision, patience, and ability to get north-south in a hurry.
He’s not a home-run hitter in the traditional sense, but he doesn’t need to be. With Scott providing the explosiveness, Gause offers a steady complement - a back who can churn out tough yards, keep the chains moving, and take pressure off the freshman phenom.
From a schematic standpoint, Gause fits well into what NC State likes to do offensively. He’s comfortable in zone and gap schemes, shows good pad level through contact, and has enough burst to get to the second level. His experience in pass protection and ability to catch out of the backfield also give the Wolfpack some versatility in their personnel groupings.
This move isn’t just about depth - it’s about balance. NC State now has a backfield that can adapt to different game scripts.
Need to grind out a win late? Gause can handle the dirty work.
Looking to stretch the field with speed? Scott’s your guy.
Together, they give the Wolfpack a one-two punch that should keep opposing defenses honest.
With the portal closing and rosters beginning to take shape, NC State’s backfield is looking like a strength heading into 2026. And if Gause can bring the same steady production he showed at UNC, he could end up being one of the more underrated additions in the ACC this offseason.