NC State Transfer Portal Tracker: Breaking Down Every Wolfpack Departure After the 2025 Season
The transfer portal has reshaped the college football landscape in recent years, and this offseason is no exception - especially in Raleigh. With the NCAA’s updated rules consolidating transfer activity into a single 15-day window (Jan. 2-16), players across the country are already signaling their intentions. For NC State, several key names - and a few lesser-known ones - are on the move following the 2025 season.
Let’s take a closer look at every Wolfpack player who’s declared for the portal so far, what they’re leaving behind, and what it means for NC State moving forward.
Valen Erickson - Offensive Line
Declared: Dec. 8, 2025
Valen Erickson, a redshirt junior offensive lineman, is headed back to the portal for the second time in his college career. After transferring from Missouri ahead of the 2024 season, Erickson logged 110 snaps for the Wolfpack in 2025.
His most active outing came against Duke, where he played 39 snaps - but it wasn’t a banner performance. According to PFF, he graded out at 48.7 overall, with a particularly rough 39.5 in pass protection.
Across seven games this season, Erickson’s pass-blocking grade sat at a concerning 21.5, with a 50.4 mark in the run game. He still has two years of eligibility remaining, and while the tools are there, the consistency hasn’t followed. His departure opens up a spot in the trenches, and it’ll be interesting to see how the Wolfpack reshuffle their depth chart heading into spring.
Josh Alexander-Felton - Defensive End
Declared: Dec. 12, 2025
Redshirt freshman edge rusher Josh Alexander-Felton is moving on after a quiet stint in Raleigh. He didn’t see the field for a single defensive snap in 2025. While the potential might still be there, the opportunity clearly wasn’t, and he’ll look to reset his college career elsewhere.
Justin Terrell - Defensive Line
Declared: Dec. 16, 2025
Another redshirt freshman on the move, Justin Terrell saw limited action during his time with NC State. He played in three games back in 2024 - against Stanford, UNC, and East Carolina - logging just 25 snaps total.
His best showing came in a brief five-snap outing against Stanford, where he earned a 69.4 defensive grade per PFF. But in 2025, Terrell didn’t see the field at all.
While his time in Raleigh didn’t yield much playing time, Terrell showed flashes of promise in limited action. He’ll have multiple years of eligibility to work with at his next stop.
Hollywood Smothers - Running Back
Declared: Dec. 18, 2025
This is the big one.
Hollywood Smothers, NC State’s top offensive weapon in 2025, is heading to the portal after a breakout season. The redshirt sophomore running back put together a monster year, racking up 939 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 160 carries. He also added 37 receptions for 189 yards and another score, showcasing his versatility as a dual-threat back.
Even more impressive? Smothers led the ACC in rushing yards per game (85.4), becoming the first Wolfpack player to do so since 1997.
He also became NC State’s first first-team All-ACC running back since Nyheim Hines in 2017. And he did it while battling through injuries late in the season.
Smothers ran for over 100 yards in four different games and was the heartbeat of the offense. His departure leaves a massive hole in the backfield - and a major question mark for the Wolfpack heading into 2026.
Christian Zachary - Wide Receiver
Declared: Dec. 21, 2025
Redshirt freshman Christian Zachary is entering the portal after a minimal role this season. He appeared in just one game and played four offensive snaps, without recording a catch. A developmental piece who never quite cracked the rotation, Zachary will look for a fresh start elsewhere.
Elijah Groves - Linebacker
Declared: Dec. 22, 2025
Another redshirt freshman on the move, linebacker Elijah Groves didn’t log a single defensive snap in 2025. With NC State’s linebacker room deep and experienced, Groves simply couldn’t find a path to playing time. He’ll seek a better fit at his next stop.
Daemon Fagan - Safety
Declared: Dec. 23, 2025
Three years into his college career, former four-star safety Daemon Fagan is moving on. Injuries have plagued his time in Raleigh, and he finally saw the field for the first time this season - logging 10 snaps and one tackle in the fourth quarter against Campbell.
Fagan came in as part of a highly regarded defensive back class, but things never quite came together. He’ll hit the portal with a fresh opportunity to get his career back on track.
Zack Myers - Safety
Declared: Dec. 23, 2025
Zack Myers, another former four-star safety, is also heading out. Unlike Fagan, Myers carved out a role on special teams, appearing in 22 games over his career - including all 12 this season. He also saw 14 defensive snaps in 2025, though that was more out of necessity due to injuries than a sign of a rotational role.
The Christ School (Arden, N.C.) product will have two years of eligibility remaining. A change of scenery could give him a better shot at cracking a defensive rotation.
Terrell Anderson - Wide Receiver
Declared: Dec. 24, 2025
NC State’s leading receiver in 2025 is heading to the portal.
Terrell Anderson posted 39 catches for 629 yards and five touchdowns this season, emerging as the top target in the passing game. He was a steady presence on the outside and played a key role in the Wolfpack’s offensive success.
With Anderson and Smothers both exiting, NC State loses its top two offensive producers from this season. That’s a tough blow for continuity and development heading into 2026, and it puts added pressure on the next wave of skill players to step up.
What It All Means
The Wolfpack are facing a significant offseason reset. While some of the departures - particularly from players who didn’t see the field - are expected in today’s college football climate, the losses of Smothers and Anderson are seismic. Those two were the engines of the offense in 2025, and replacing their production won’t be easy.
The good news? The new, streamlined transfer window gives NC State a defined period to evaluate needs and pursue reinforcements. With the portal officially opening Jan. 2, the next few weeks will be critical in shaping what the 2026 roster looks like.
The Wolfpack have some holes to fill - but also an opportunity to retool quickly. Stay tuned.