RALEIGH, N.C. -- Joker Phillips has spent this offseason doing something he didn’t expect to be doing in year 38: rebuilding an entire wide receiver room.
NC State’s offense took a hit at the position after multiple veteran receivers graduated, two more top wideouts hit the transfer portal and another is unavailable this season because of suspension. That left Phillips with a fresh project, and he said the reset has brought a new spark.
“I think it energized me,” Phillips said Tuesday after practice.
The Wolfpack responded by bringing in five transfer receivers - including Joshisa Trader, Victor Snow and Davion Dozier - and signing four freshmen in the 2026 class, among them four-star Tyreek Copper. Keenan Jackson, one of the key returning pieces, was named an assistant captain on Tuesday and gives the group a veteran anchor while Phillips works to blend all the new faces together.
Phillips said the room will need flexibility because the group comes with different strengths.
“We will have to mix and match,” he said. “We've got size, speed, and some small guys with quickness, so we'll have to play a lot of guys. We played five last year; we'll probably have to play more than five this year to find out what those other guys look like and see what the rotation is.”
The challenge, he said, is that several of these receivers still haven’t had much exposure to a big stage. Outside of JoJo Trader and Jackson, there isn’t much game experience in the group yet. Phillips thinks there are seven or eight players who can eventually get on the field, but their roles still need to be sorted out.
Dozier has already made a strong impression. Phillips called him one of the most consistent players in the room and said he has picked up the offense quickly. He also pointed to Dozier’s versatility and value on special teams.
That part matters a lot to Phillips.
“One thing I've tried to pride myself on in my career is that I don't want receivers who can't play special teams,” he said. “As Coach [Todd] Goebbel was saying, if you can't play special teams, you're either not fast enough or not tough enough.”
Phillips said the new group has the kind of bodies and mindset needed for that work, describing them as physical, fast and unafraid.
Tyreek Copper is one freshman Phillips believes has a real shot to contribute. He pointed to NC State’s willingness to play young receivers in the past, noting that the staff has not shied away from true freshmen. KC Concepcion, Terrell Anderson, Keenan Jackson and Teddy Hoffmann all played as true freshmen, and Phillips said the program has used seven true freshmen over the last five years.
“The further away you are from the ball, the easier it is to play,” Phillips said. He added that doing it at running back or receiver is more manageable than at tighter spots near the line.
Phillips also credited C.J. Bailey for helping bring the new receivers into the fold.
Bailey already knew Chance Robinson and JoJo Trader, and he took a few of the newcomers under his wing early. Phillips said some stayed with Bailey in the first month before they found housing, which helped build those relationships quickly.
During camp, Bailey has also pushed to see certain receivers in action with him.
“A couple of times C.J. has come to me and said, "Hey, I need to see these guys with me today."” Phillips said.
That, Phillips said, has helped clarify which players Bailey trusts and which ones need more work before they can step into the huddle with him.
He also singled out Tyran Warren, a transfer from Alcorn State, as a player who has handled the move well. Phillips said Warren has worked hard, can help on special teams and has the speed to stretch defenses.
“They're hungry. They're excited to be at this level,” Phillips said. “The guy you were just talking to, Tyran Warren, played at Alcorn State, and everything you give those guys, they appreciate.”
Phillips added that Warren is still adjusting to the difference in the level of play, from the stadiums and fan bases to the intensity, but he expects him to contribute in some capacity this season.
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