Six NC State Players Earn Athlon’s 2026 Preseason All-ACC Honors

Athlon Sports recently released its 2026 Preseason All-ACC teams, and six NC State players earned recognition heading into the upcoming season.

The Wolfpack was represented on every team from the Second Team through the Fourth Team, with running back Duke Scott becoming the only NC State player to earn multiple selections.

RB Duke Scott

No NC State player received more recognition than Duke Scott.

The rising star landed on Athlon’s Second Team All-ACC as a running back and also earned Third Team honors as a kickoff returner.

Scott recently became the youngest player to ever receive Dave Doeren’s prestigious No. 1 jersey, awarded annually to the player who best exemplifies leadership, work ethic, and consistency.

After serving as Hollywood Smothers’ backup in 2025, Scott rushed for:

581 rushing yards
4 touchdowns
5.5 yards per carry

On special teams, he averaged 21.3 yards per kickoff return on 11 returns.

QB CJ Bailey

Quarterback CJ Bailey earned Third Team All-ACC honors entering his third season as the Wolfpack’s starter.

Bailey is coming off one of the finest passing seasons in school history.

2025 Statistics

68.8% completion percentage
3,105 passing yards
25 touchdowns
9 interceptions
150.7 passer efficiency rating

His passer efficiency rating ranks third-best in NC State single-season history, while his career mark of 147.8 is the highest in program history.

After just two seasons, Bailey already ranks:

8th in career passing yards (5,518)
8th in career completions (469)
2nd in yards per attempt (7.89)
6th in 300-yard passing games (6)

IOL Spike Sowells

Sophomore offensive lineman Spike Sowells earned a spot on Athlon’s Third Team All-ACC.

The young guard was one of NC State’s breakout performers in 2025.

Sowells earned PFF True Freshman All-American honors after appearing in nine games and starting six at right guard.

His 68.4 overall PFF grade ranked third among Wolfpack offensive linemen.

LB Harvey Dyson

Tulane transfer Harvey Dyson was named to the Third Team All-ACC after arriving in Raleigh following a dominant season with the Green Wave.

In 2025, Dyson recorded:

36 tackles
11.5 tackles for loss
8 sacks
2 forced fumbles

He earned Third Team All-AAC honors while leading the conference in sacks and finishing third in tackles for loss.

Dyson’s 90.4 PFF pass-rush grade ranked 19th nationally among edge defenders.

OT Teague Andersen

Right tackle Teague Andersen landed on Athlon’s Fourth Team All-ACC entering his second season with the Wolfpack.

After transferring from Utah State last offseason, Andersen started every game at right tackle.

His 69.1 PFF grade ranked second among NC State offensive linemen in 2025.

CB Brian Nelson II

Cornerback Brian Nelson II rounded out NC State’s selections by earning Fourth Team All-ACC honors.

The North Texas transfer quickly established himself as one of the Wolfpack’s top defensive backs during his first season in Raleigh.

Last year he finished with:

29 tackles
6 pass breakups
1 tackle for loss

Before transferring to NC State, Nelson earned First Team All-AAC honors at North Texas.