NC State Linebacker Kenny Soares Jr. Enters the Transfer Portal

NC State Linebacker Kenny Soares Jr. is entering the Transfer Portal.

NC State LB Kenny Soares plans to enter the transfer portal, his reps @noah_reisenfeld and @Adie_vongontard tell @On3sports.

Former Northwestern transfer has 137 career tackles, 9.5 TFLs and 3 sacks. https://t.co/wMrfFrcNOy pic.twitter.com/gmmeXJxCMI

— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos) January 8, 2026

After spending his first 3 years at Northwestern, Soares Jr. made a big impact in his lone season in Raleigh. His 80 tackles ranked 2nd on the Wolfpack defense. With Caden Fordham graduating, the Wolfpack will be without their top two tacklers next year from 2025.

Soares Jr. had a PFF overall grade of 62.4, which ranked 12th on the Wolfpack defense.

NC State has had 18 players enter the Transfer Portal: Linebacker Kelvon McBride, Defensive Back Jivan Baly, Linebacker Terris Dudley, Offensive Lineman Jacarrius Peak, Offensive Lineman Darion Rivers, Offensive Lineman Brock Stukes, Safety Zack Myers, Linebacker Kelvon McBride, Wide Receiver Noah Rogers, Wide Receiver Terrell Anderson, Safety Daemon Fagan, Wide Receiver Jimmar Boston, Linebacker Elijah Groves, Wide Receiver Christian Zachary, Running Back Hollywood Smothers, Defensive End Justin Terrell, Defensive End Josh Alexander-Felton and Offensive Lineman Val Erickson.

Three former Wolfpack players have already found new homes after entering the Transfer Portal: Linebacker Kelvon McBride, Running Back Hollywood Smothers and Wide Receiver Terrell Anderson.