Defensive End Red Hibbler is No Longer on NC State’s Roster

Senior Defensive End Red Hibbler is no longer on NC State’s roster.

Hibbler has been 2nd on the Depth Chart at Defensive End all season. He played in all 4 of the Wolfpack’s games thus far, but played a season low 10 snaps against Clemson.

As a Junior last season, Hibbler led the Wolfpack in sacks, with 6.5, and ranked 2nd in tackles for loss (7).

Hibbler was a member of the Wolfpack’s 2023 recruiting class, as a Junior College prospect. ESPN ranked Hibbler as the #3 overall JUCO prospect in the 2023 class.

Due to the Covid year, Hibbler entered this year as a Senior, but has yet to use his Redshirt season. Since he has only played 4 games, he can still sit out the remainder of the season, and play his final year of eligibility somewhere else next year.

Obviously, I don’t know all of the circumstances that led to Hibbler’s departure, but it is a significant loss to the Wolfpack’s pass rush. Even though he only recorded 6 tackles through 4 games, with no sacks or tackles for loss, he does boast a PFF grade of 72.0, which is the 3rd highest grade on NC State’s defense (players with 50+ snaps or more).

Hibbler said in the preseason that he worked hard all offseason to be a 3-down Defensive End, so that he could be used as more than a pass rush specialist, but through 4 games, it is apparent that he hadn’t proven that to the coaches.

Redshirt Freshman Isaiah Shirley and Redshirt Senior Noah Potter now have an opportunity to rise to the occasion, with more snaps made available with Hibbler’s exodus.