How Much Production is NC State Looking to Replace in 2025?

NC State lost 15 starters (including special teams) from their 2024 football team.

Offensive Line: LT Anthony Belton, C Zeke Correll, RG Timothy McKay
Wide Receiver: Dacari Collins and Kevin Concepcion
Defensive End: Davin Vann
Linebacker: Devon Betty
Nickel: Tamarcus Cooley
Cornerback: Aydan White and Brandon Cisse
Safety: DK Kaffman and Bishop Fitzgerald
Kickoff: Collin Smith
Punt Returner: Jalen Coit and Kevin Concepcion
Kickoff Returner: DK Kauffman

As a result, the Wolfpack will be looking for new names to provide production in 2025.

Here’s a look at NC State’s returning production in 2025 by statistical category.

At running back, Kendrick Raphael and Jordan Waters accounted for 47% of NC State’s rushing yards last season. I expect their production to be replaced by increased output from Hollywood Smothers and the arrival of redshirt freshman Duke Scott.

At wide receiver, Dacari Collins and KC Concepcion combined for 25.6% of the Wolfpack’s receiving yards in 2024. Expect Noah Rogers to increase his output in his second year of college football, and Wesley Grimes’ numbers should jump in his final year, with Collins out of the picture. Also, look for Terrell Anderson and Keenan Jackson to put up bigger numbers in their second season in Raleigh.

DK Kauffman will no longer be returning kickoffs for the Wolfpack, but Smothers and Scott are both faster and more explosive. We could see more excitement in the kickoff return game in 2025. Concepcion and Jalen Coit handled all of the punts in 2024, but NC State has a wealth of top-tier athletes looking to prove themselves this season. On the opening day of fall practice, Rogers, Grimes, and Anderson were returning punts, along with true freshmen Teddy Hoffman and Je’Rel Bolder.

New defensive coordinator DJ Eliot is known for generating plays in the backfield, but he will be looking for new names to produce sacks and tackles for loss in 2025. Davin Vann alone accounted for 28.2% of the sacks and 15.5% of the tackles for loss last season. If the buzz surrounding Wyoming transfer defensive end Sabastian Harsh is real, he could help offset Vann’s production. Devon Betty and Kamal Bonner combined for 16 tackles for loss last season, but a healthy Caden Fordham, along with the combined efforts of EDGE linebackers Tra Thomas and Cian Slone, should be able to make up the lost production.