NC State Linebacker Kenny Soares Jr. is Transferring to Michigan St.

NC State Linebacker Kenny Soares Jr. is transferring to Michigan St.

BREAKING: NC State transfer LB Kenny Soares has signed with Michigan State, @PeteNakos reports🟢⚪️https://t.co/WT1WDYDWOf pic.twitter.com/e2Tq65kXY5

— Transfer Portal (@TransferPortal) January 13, 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 20 players enter the Transfer Portal: Quarterback Lex Thomas, Linebacker Kenny Soares Jr., 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.

The following players have found new homes:

Wide Receiver Noah Rogers – Alabama
Running Back Hollywood Smothers – Texas
Wide Receiver Terrell Anderson – USC
Left Tackle Jacarrius Peak – South Carolina
Linebacker Kelvon McBride – Marshall
Offensive Lineman Val Erickson – Liberty
Defensive End Justin Terrell – Sam Houston
Linebacker Elijah Groves – Sam Houston
Linebacker Terris Dudley – UCONN
Offensive Lineman Brock Stukes – Sam Houston
Linebacker Kenny Soares Jr. – Michigan St.