NC State Transfer Portal Tracker: Who’s Leaving the Wolfpack After the 2025 Season
The 2025 season is in the books for NC State, and with the college football transfer portal set to officially open on January 2, the Wolfpack are already seeing movement. While the window hasn’t opened just yet, players are allowed to announce their intentions early-and several have done just that.
This year marks a shift in how the portal operates. Gone are the multiple windows that allowed for spring entries and coaching-related exceptions.
Now, there’s one standardized 15-day window from January 2 to January 16 for all players, including graduate transfers. Even coaching changes only trigger a 15-day portal window-if the hire happens after January 2.
The goal? Create a more predictable, streamlined process for both players and programs.
Let’s break down each of NC State’s portal entries heading into the offseason and what their departures mean for the Wolfpack moving forward.
OL Valen Erickson (Announced: Dec. 8, 2025)
Redshirt junior offensive lineman Valen Erickson is set to enter the portal after two seasons with NC State. Originally from Missouri, where he played under former NC State offensive coordinator Eliah Drinkwitz, Erickson transferred to Raleigh ahead of the 2024 season.
In 2025, Erickson saw action in seven games and logged 110 total snaps. His most involved outing came against Duke, where he played 39 snaps but struggled significantly, earning a 48.7 overall grade from Pro Football Focus (PFF). His pass-blocking grade in that game dipped to 39.5, and his season-long grades didn’t fare much better-just 21.5 in pass protection and 50.4 in run blocking.
Erickson still has two seasons of eligibility remaining, and while his time in Raleigh didn’t go as planned, he’ll look for a fresh start elsewhere.
DE Josh Alexander-Felton (Announced: Dec. 12, 2025)
Redshirt freshman defensive end Josh Alexander-Felton will also hit the portal. The 2025 season didn’t see him register a single defensive snap, so this move comes as an opportunity to find more playing time and a better fit elsewhere.
DL Justin Terrell (Announced: Dec. 16, 2025)
Redshirt freshman defensive lineman Justin Terrell is on the move after two seasons in the program. Terrell played in three games during the 2024 campaign, logging 25 snaps against Stanford, UNC, and East Carolina. He recorded one tackle and posted a 61.4 overall defensive grade from PFF, with his best outing coming against Stanford (69.4 grade on just five snaps).
He didn’t appear in any games this past season, so entering the portal gives him a chance to reboot his career and find a program where he can see the field.
RB Hollywood Smothers (Announced: Dec. 18, 2025)
This one stings. Redshirt sophomore running back Hollywood Smothers is heading to the portal after a breakout 2025 season. Despite battling injuries late in the year, Smothers led the ACC in rushing yards per game (85.4), becoming the first NC State back to do so since 1997.
At 5-foot-11 and 195 pounds, Smothers racked up 939 rushing yards on 160 carries, scoring six touchdowns. He also added 37 receptions for 189 yards and another score, showcasing his versatility. His performance earned him first-team All-ACC honors-the first Wolfpack running back to earn that distinction since Nyheim Hines in 2017.
Smothers ran for over 100 yards in four games this season, and his departure leaves a significant hole in NC State’s offense heading into 2026.
WR Christian Zachary (Announced: Dec. 21, 2025)
Redshirt freshman wide receiver Christian Zachary is entering the portal after a quiet season in Raleigh. He played in just one game, logging four offensive snaps and recording no receptions. With a crowded receiver room and limited opportunities, Zachary will look to carve out a bigger role elsewhere.
LB Elijah Groves (Announced: Dec. 22, 2025)
Another redshirt freshman, linebacker Elijah Groves, is on his way out after not seeing the field in 2025. With depth at linebacker and no defensive snaps under his belt, Groves will aim to find a program where he can contribute and grow.
S Daemon Fagan (Announced: Dec. 23, 2025)
Former four-star safety Daemon Fagan is entering the portal after three seasons with minimal playing time. Injuries plagued his 2025 campaign, limiting him to just one appearance-against Campbell-where he played 10 snaps and recorded one tackle. That was his first and only game in a Wolfpack uniform.
Fagan arrived at NC State with plenty of hype as part of a strong defensive back recruiting class but never found his footing. A change of scenery could be just what he needs to get his career back on track.
S Zack Myers (Announced: Dec. 23, 2025)
Safety Zack Myers is also transferring after three seasons in Raleigh. Like Fagan, Myers came in as a four-star recruit but never broke through on defense. He did, however, become a steady contributor on special teams, appearing in 22 career games, including 12 this past season.
Myers logged 14 defensive snaps in 2025, a modest number given the injuries in the secondary. A North Carolina native who prepped at Christ School in Arden, Myers could be looking to play closer to home. He’ll have two years of eligibility remaining.
What’s Next for NC State?
The Wolfpack have seen a mix of depth pieces and key contributors enter the portal, most notably Smothers, whose departure will be felt on day one of the 2026 season. The good news? The new transfer rules give head coach Dave Doeren and his staff a clearer window to evaluate needs and build out the roster.
With the portal officially opening January 2, expect NC State to be active-not just in managing departures, but in pursuing talent to fill the gaps. The next few weeks will be critical in shaping the 2026 version of the Pack.