NT Brandon Cleveland is Returning to NC State in 2024

Savage Wolves announced today that Nose Tackle Brandon Cleveland will be returning to NC State in 2024.

This was an important one to us so Thank You to all the Savage Wolves members that made this possible. @brandonvibes25 is gonna be a rock in the middle in 2024. Huge season loading! pic.twitter.com/tg2I3cO81V

— SavageWolves (@SavageWolvesNIL) January 2, 2024

This is good news, but I didn’t expect Cleveland to be walking out the door. With C.J. Clark transferring to Miami, the starting job was Cleveland’s for the taking. In 2023, Cleveland had 28 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks and 2 forced fumbles. Cleveland’s PFF Grade of 69.5 was the 8th best on the Wolfpack defense this season.

While NC State is bringing in Wisconsin Transfer Rodas Johnson and FSU Transfer Malcolm Ray this week for Official Visits, I would expect them to be depth pieces if they committed, but I’m sure if they came, they would be on a mission to fight Cleveland for the starting role. Johnson was a starter for the Badgers this season. Also, for what it’s worth, Ray is the only one out of the two who was listed as a Tackle on the Depth Chart in ’23. Johnson started at End all year.

I’m a big fan of Cleveland. While Clark transferring hurt, Cleveland had the better PFF grade this season, and has 2 more years of eligibility.

Great news for the Wolfpack to bring back Cleveland and try to build around him at Nose Tackle.