The NC State Wolfpack just added a major piece to their offense - and it comes in the form of a 6-foot-6, 242-pound tight end who’s bringing both upside and eligibility.
Vander Ploog, a former four-star recruit out of Fullerton, California, is heading to Raleigh after spending this past season with the Oregon Ducks. He redshirted during his time in Eugene, preserving all four years of eligibility - a rare luxury in today’s ever-shifting college football landscape.
Let’s be clear: in the current NIL and transfer portal era, nothing is guaranteed long-term. But regardless of how long Ploog stays with the Wolfpack, this is a significant win for head coach Dave Doeren and his staff. Getting a player of Ploog’s caliber - especially at a position like tight end that can be a mismatch nightmare - is a big-time addition.
Ploog’s high school résumé speaks for itself. Ranked as the No. 11 tight end in the 2025 class by the 247Sports Composite, he was a dominant offensive weapon at the prep level.
Over three seasons, he racked up more than 2,200 receiving yards and 37 touchdowns. His senior year was especially eye-popping: 75 catches, 1,148 yards, and 17 touchdowns.
That’s not just production - that’s takeover ability.
At 6-foot-6, Ploog brings a rare blend of size, athleticism, and red-zone potential. He’s the kind of tight end who can stretch the seam, box out defenders, and create mismatches against linebackers and safeties alike. And while he didn’t see the field for Oregon, spending a year in Dan Lanning’s program - learning the speed and complexity of the college game - likely gave him a strong foundation for what’s next.
He becomes the sixteenth transfer to join NC State this cycle, part of a broader roster rebuild that’s clearly focused on adding high-upside talent with multiple years of eligibility. For a Wolfpack program looking to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving ACC, Ploog isn’t just a depth piece - he’s a potential difference-maker.
The next step? Seeing how he fits into the Wolfpack offense. But with his physical tools and proven production at the high school level, there’s every reason to believe Vander Ploog could be a name to watch in Raleigh - and maybe beyond.