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

College football is almost here, and NC State enters the 2026 season with a defense that looks dramatically different from a year ago.

The Wolfpack returns several experienced contributors, including Asaad Brown Jr., Brian Nelson II, Jackson Vick, Isaiah Shirley, and Tristan Teasdell, while adding several expected starters through the Transfer Portal.

The biggest additions came at linebacker and safety, where Penn State transfer King Mack headlines a group expected to reshape DJ Eliot’s defense.

Here’s a look at how Pro Football Focus graded NC State’s returning defensive players and incoming transfers during the 2025 season.

Returning Defensive Letterwinners

Former Texas Tech transfer Joseph Adedire posted the highest PFF grade among NC State’s returning defensive players, earning a 76.0 over 95 snaps.

Among players who saw extended playing time, safety Asaad Brown Jr. led the way with a 68.0 grade across 673 snaps.

Returning Players by 2025 PFF Grade

Brown and Nelson Return Proven Production

Brown and Brian Nelson II provide the Wolfpack with its most experienced returning secondary players.

Brown earned a 68.0 grade while logging 673 snaps, making him one of NC State’s most reliable defensive backs last season.

Nelson wasn’t far behind.

The former North Texas All-Conference cornerback posted a 65.7 grade over 637 snaps, giving NC State another experienced player on the outside, who is ready to take his game to the next level with a starting position open in 2026.

Those two players will be counted on heavily as the Wolfpack replaces several departed contributors.

Experience Returns Up Front

NC State also welcomes back several defensive linemen with meaningful experience.

Adedire posted the highest grade among returning defenders, although it came over just 95 snaps.

Chase Bond and Isaiah Shirley both return after playing rotational roles in 2025 and are expected to assume larger responsibilities this fall.

Meanwhile, Josiah Victor gives the Wolfpack another experienced option at nose tackle after recording a 64.3 grade.

King Mack Headlines the Transfer Class

If one defensive transfer stands above the rest, it’s King Mack.

The former Penn State safety earned a 79.0 PFF grade across 493 snaps, the highest grade of any returning or incoming defensive player on NC State’s roster.

Many expect Mack to become one of the leaders of the Wolfpack defense immediately upon arriving in Raleigh.

Incoming Transfers by 2025 PFF Grade

Reinforcements at Linebacker

One of NC State’s biggest offseason priorities was rebuilding the linebacker room.

The Wolfpack addressed that need by adding Harvey Dyson, Popo Aguirre, and Da’Karri Nelson through the Transfer Portal.

Dyson arrives with the strongest résumé after earning a 67.6 grade across 451 snaps, while Aguirre played over 300 snaps and posted a solid 63.1 grade.

Combined with returning players AJ Richardson, Zane Williams, and LaCorian Hodge, NC State has significantly increased both the experience and competition at linebacker.

PFF Grades Require Context

As always, PFF grades should be viewed alongside snap counts.

A player earning a high grade over 20 or 50 snaps hasn’t been tested the same way as someone maintaining that level across 600 or 700 plays.

Competition level, role, scheme, and supporting cast also influence individual grades.

For NC State, the most encouraging evaluations belong to players who paired strong grades with substantial workloads, including King Mack, Asaad Brown Jr., Brian Nelson II, Harvey Dyson, and Joseph Adedire.

Final Thoughts

While NC State returns fewer defensive starters than it does on offense, there is still plenty of talent on this side of the ball.

Brown and Nelson anchor an experienced secondary, while Shirley and Bond are expected to step into expanded roles up front.

The biggest storyline, however, may be the arrival of King Mack and a revamped linebacker room.

If the transfers perform at the level they did last season, the Wolfpack defense could come together much faster than many expect.