NC State Transfer Portal Tracker: Breaking Down the Wolfpack’s Offseason Moves
The college football transfer portal has seen its fair share of evolution, and this offseason, the landscape looks a little different. With the NCAA consolidating the transfer window into a single, 15-day stretch from January 2 to January 16, the days of winter and spring portal chaos are behind us-for now. That change also applies to graduate transfers and players impacted by coaching changes, tightening up the timeline and giving programs a more focused period to manage roster turnover.
That said, players can still declare their intentions to enter the portal ahead of time-and several NC State players have already made their plans known. Here’s a detailed look at who’s on the move from Raleigh and what it means for the Wolfpack heading into 2026.
OL Valen Erickson
Declared: December 8, 2025
Redshirt junior Valen Erickson is set to enter the portal after one season with the Wolfpack. Originally from Missouri, where he played under former NC State offensive coordinator Eliah Drinkwitz, Erickson transferred to Raleigh ahead of the 2024 season with two years of eligibility remaining.
In 2025, Erickson saw action in seven games and logged 110 total snaps, with his most extensive outing coming against Duke-where he played 39 snaps but struggled in pass protection. According to Pro Football Focus, he posted a 48.7 overall grade in that game, including a 39.5 pass-blocking mark. His season-long grades paint a similar picture: a 44.8 overall, with a 21.5 in pass protection and a 50.4 run-blocking score.
While the physical tools are there, the production just didn’t match up this season. Erickson will look for a fresh start elsewhere, and NC State will now have to fill another spot along the offensive line.
DE Josh Alexander-Felton
Declared: December 12, 2025
Redshirt freshman Josh Alexander-Felton is also headed to the portal after a quiet year in Raleigh. The defensive end didn’t record a single defensive snap in 2025, and his departure signals a move to seek more playing time elsewhere.
Sometimes, the portal is about finding the right fit, and for Alexander-Felton, that opportunity just didn’t materialize with the Wolfpack. He’ll now look to reset and compete for reps in a new system.
DL Justin Terrell
Declared: December 16, 2025
Another redshirt freshman on the move is Justin Terrell, who saw limited action during his time at NC State. Terrell played in three games during the 2024 season, logging 25 snaps across matchups with Stanford, UNC, and East Carolina. He recorded one tackle and earned a 61.4 overall PFF defensive grade, with his best outing coming against Stanford (69.4 on just five snaps).
Terrell didn’t see the field in 2025, and his decision to enter the portal isn’t surprising given the lack of opportunities. He’s a player with some upside, and a change of scenery could give him the chance to showcase that potential.
RB Hollywood Smothers
Declared: December 18, 2025
This one’s a big one. Redshirt sophomore Hollywood Smothers is entering the portal after a standout season that saw him emerge as one of the top backs in the ACC. Despite battling injuries late in the year, Smothers led the conference in rushing yards per game (85.4)-the first NC State player to do so since 1997.
The 5-foot-11, 195-pound Charlotte native put up 939 rushing yards on 160 carries, scoring six touchdowns on the ground. He added 37 receptions for 189 yards and another score through the air, showcasing his versatility as a dual-threat back. Smothers topped 100 rushing yards in four games and earned first-team All-ACC honors, becoming the first NC State running back to do so since Nyheim Hines in 2017.
Losing Smothers is a major blow to the Wolfpack offense. His combination of vision, burst, and receiving ability made him a matchup nightmare, and his departure leaves a significant hole in the backfield heading into 2026.
WR Christian Zachary
Declared: December 21, 2025
Wide receiver Christian Zachary is the latest to declare for the portal. While details on his production or playing time weren’t immediately available, his decision continues a trend of depth movement at skill positions for NC State.
What It All Means for NC State
The Wolfpack are no strangers to roster churn, but this offseason’s portal entries carry a mix of depth losses and high-impact departures. Smothers’ exit is the headline here-he was the engine of the offense and a consistent playmaker when healthy. Replacing that kind of production won’t be easy.
Meanwhile, the exits of Erickson, Terrell, and Alexander-Felton open up spots in the trenches, where NC State will need to develop or bring in reinforcements. These moves also reflect the new reality of college football: the portal is no longer just about backups looking for reps-starters and All-Conference players are just as likely to explore their options.
As January 2 approaches and the portal officially opens, expect NC State to be active-not just in terms of departures, but also in seeking out replacements. The Wolfpack coaching staff will need to navigate this tight 15-day window with precision, balancing retention, recruiting, and roster building all at once.
The offseason is just beginning, but the roster reshaping is already well underway in Raleigh.