NC State’s Cleveland & Erickson are Suspended for the 1st Half of the Season Opener vs. ECU

NC State Head Coach Dave Doeren met with the media after practice today as the Wolfpack prepares for its 2025 season opener against ECU on Thursday night.

He clarified that senior nose tackle Brandon Cleveland and redshirt junior offensive lineman Val Erickson will sit out the first half of the contest due to their involvement in the melee that ensued at the conclusion of NC State’s 26–21 loss to the Pirates in the Military Bowl, the final game of last season.

Cleveland’s absence is a costly one, as he enters his second consecutive season as NC State’s starter in the middle of the defensive line. Last season, he recorded 36 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, one pass breakup, and one fumble recovery, earning a PFF grade of 73.4—the fifth-highest on the Wolfpack defense.

I expect redshirt senior Chazz Wallace to start in Cleveland’s place, with freshman Josiah Victor backing him up in the first half.

Erickson isn’t projected to start on the Wolfpack’s offensive line, but I view him as NC State’s sixth lineman—capable of spelling players across the line thanks to his versatility.