Elijah Groves, one of the most highly touted recruits to commit to NC State in recent memory, is officially entering the transfer portal.
The redshirt linebacker made the announcement on social media, confirming that he’s ready to move on from the Wolfpack after two seasons in Raleigh-without ever playing a snap.
Groves came to NC State with serious buzz. A consensus 4-star prospect in the 2024 class, he was ranked as the No. 93 overall player in the country, the No. 7 linebacker nationally, and the top-ranked player out of Tennessee, according to 247Sports.
That kind of pedigree doesn’t just walk through the doors at Carter-Finley Stadium every year. In fact, Groves’ commitment at the time marked one of the biggest recruiting wins for NC State in the modern recruiting rankings era.
Originally committed to Kentucky, Groves flipped to the Wolfpack two years ago this month, choosing NC State over a final group that also included Purdue. It was a major recruiting coup, and the expectation was that Groves would eventually become a cornerstone of the defense.
But things didn’t unfold that way.
Despite his high school résumé, which included 76 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, four interceptions, four forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries as a senior, Groves never cracked the rotation in Raleigh. Whether it was depth chart logjams, development timelines, or just the unpredictable nature of college football, he leaves NC State without having seen the field in game action.
Now, with three years of eligibility remaining, Groves will look for a fresh start elsewhere. And given his recruiting profile and remaining eligibility, he’s likely to draw plenty of interest from programs looking to bolster their linebacker room with a high-upside athlete who still has time to develop.
For NC State, it’s a reminder of how fluid roster building has become in the portal era. For Groves, it’s a second chance to find the right fit-and perhaps finally show what made him one of the most sought-after defensive prospects in his class.