- Head Coach: Dave Doeren (13th season)
- 2024 Record: 6-7 (lost Military Bowl)
- Strength of Schedule: 41st
- PFF Projected Win Total: 7.1
- FanDuel Win Total: 6.5
2024 Recap
NC State had been a well-oiled machine under head coach Dave Doeren entering the 2024 season. The Wolfpack produced a winning record in nine of the 10 years before this past season but finished just 6-7.
The offense and defense shared the blame, each ranking outside the top 85 in EPA per play. There’s optimism for 2025, though, as quarterback CJ Bailey is back for his sophomore campaign after a very encouraging true freshman season. NC State also has a top-five tight end in all of college football and some solid pieces defensively.
Biggest Strength: A potential rising star at quarterback with a superstar tight end
Even though he entered 2024 as the backup to Grayson McCall, CJ Bailey showed a lot of potential once McCall went down with an injury. The former three-star recruit posted a 74.3 PFF passing grade last season. That beat out fellow true freshmen such as DJ Lagway and Dylan Raiola and was the best mark of any true freshman quarterback in 2024. With a top-five tight end returning in Justin Joly, Bailey has a chance to take another step as a sophomore.
Biggest Weakness: Wide receiver
While Joly is a superstar tight end, the Wolfpack have a questionable receiving corps outside of him. KC Concepcion transferred to Texas A&M and is one of PFF’s top 10 wide receivers in the country. Noah Rogers is back and led NC State wideouts in receiving yards last season, but he recorded only 474 yards and a 65.6 PFF receiving grade. Wesley Grimes and Terrell Anderson also posted sub-65.0 PFF overall grades.
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