How PFF Graded NC State’s Returning Offensive Players and Transfers in 2025

College football is right around the corner, and NC State is preparing to enter the 2026 season with a mixture of returning contributors and experienced Transfer Portal additions on offense.

The Wolfpack returns several established starters, including quarterback CJ Bailey, running back Duke Scott, offensive tackle Teague Andersen, and multiple interior offensive linemen.

NC State also added several potential impact players through the portal, particularly at wide receiver.

Here is a look at how Pro Football Focus graded the Wolfpack’s returning offensive letterwinners and incoming transfers last season.

Returning Offensive Letterwinners

Backup quarterback Will Wilson recorded the highest PFF grade among NC State’s returning offensive players, earning an 82.2 across 53 snaps.

Because Wilson played a limited number of snaps, the most notable grade among NC State’s primary contributors belongs to Scott.

The sophomore running back earned a 78.3 PFF grade over 336 snaps, the best mark among the Wolfpack’s returning offensive players who saw extended action.

Returning Offensive Letterwinners

Duke Scott Leads the Proven Returners

Scott enters the season as one of the most important players on NC State’s offense.

His 78.3 grade came across 336 snaps, giving the Wolfpack a productive returning option in the backfield following the departure of Hollywood Smothers.

Scott flashed his potential late last season and now has the opportunity to become one of the featured players in NC State’s offense.

Continuity at Quarterback

Bailey received a 67.8 overall grade over 806 snaps, the most among any returning NC State offensive player.

That workload is important.

While Wilson finished with the higher grade in limited action (mostly designed run plays), Bailey gained a full season of experience as the Wolfpack’s starting quarterback and will enter 2026 with a much deeper understanding of the offense.

His development will be central to NC State’s chances of taking a step forward offensively.

Returning Experience Along the Offensive Line

NC State returns several players who logged meaningful snaps along the offensive line.

Sowells Jr. earned the highest grade among the returning linemen who played significant snaps, receiving a 69.0 over 350 plays.

Andersen was close behind with a 66.5 grade across 727 snaps, the highest workload among the returning offensive linemen.

Jackson and Smith also return after each playing more than 300 snaps last season, giving NC State several experienced options up front.

Transfer Portal Additions

The Wolfpack supplemented its returning core with eight offensive transfers.

Former Buffalo wide receiver Victor Snow recorded the highest 2025 PFF grade among NC State’s incoming offensive transfers, earning a 74.9 over 776 snaps.

Former North Carolina running back Davion Gause was close behind with a 73.1 grade across 231 snaps.

Incoming Transfers by 2025 PFF Grade

Victor Snow Brings Proven Production

Snow’s combination of grade and experience makes him one of the most intriguing additions to the roster.

His 776 snaps were the second-most among NC State’s incoming offensive transfers, trailing only McCrimon.

Snow also earned the best grade of the group, giving the Wolfpack a proven option in a wide receiver room that underwent considerable offseason change.

New Faces at Wide Receiver

NC State added four portal receivers in Snow, Dozier, Warren, and Trader.

Snow enters with the strongest statistical profile, while both Dozier and Warren played approximately 500 snaps or more last season.

Trader comes to Raleigh after recording a 58.3 grade across 223 snaps at Miami.

The group will compete with returning receiver Keenan Jackson for roles in Bailey’s passing attack.

Help at Running Back and Tight End

Gause provides another experienced option in the backfield after earning a 73.1 grade at North Carolina.

His addition gives NC State another capable runner alongside Scott.

At tight end, Montana State transfer Hunter Provience recorded a 66.3 grade across 356 snaps, giving the Wolfpack a more experienced option at a position where its returning players saw limited action last season.

PFF Grades Require Context

PFF grades offer one useful way to evaluate player performance, but snap totals matter.

A strong grade over 20 or 50 snaps does not carry the same weight as a similar grade earned across 700 or 800 plays.

Competition level, role, position, and scheme also affect how a player’s production may translate to a new season or a new program.

For NC State, the most encouraging numbers belong to players who combined strong grades with meaningful workloads, including Scott, Snow, Gause, Sowells, Andersen, and Bailey.

Final Thoughts

NC State’s offensive roster contains more proven experience than the raw number of returning starters may suggest.

Scott leads the returning skill players, while Bailey and multiple offensive linemen bring extensive starting experience.

The Transfer Portal added several players with productive résumés, led by Snow and Gause.

The next question is how quickly the returning pieces and new arrivals can form a cohesive unit when the Wolfpack takes the field in 2026.