Dave Doeren returns for his 14th season after an 8-5 campaign, with offensive coordinator Kurt Roper back for Year 2 and quarterback CJ Bailey returning under center. Running back Duke Scott is ready to take over the starting role that belonged to the departed Hollywood Smothers a year ago. UNC transfer Davion Gause will bring added depth to the Wolfpack running backs room. The Wolfpack will be replacing their top five receiving options from a season ago. It will be hard for Keenan Jackson and transfers Jojo Trader and Davion Dozier to make up for the production lost, especially with Teddy Hoffmann on suspension for PED use. Teague Andersen is back as a full-time starter on the offensive line, along with a few others who had multiple starts last season, like Kamen Smith, Spike Sowells, and Rico Jackson.

Second-year defensive coordinator DJ Eliot faces the difficult challenge of replacing four of his five tacklers from a season ago. The Wolfpack will have an entirely different look on their front seven. The secondary returns Jackson Vick, Asaad Brown and Ronnie Royal and welcomes Penn State transfer King Mack. There isn’t a lot of proven talent at the cornerback positions.

Special teams coordinator Todd Goebbel gets Duke Scott back as kick returner and must now find a replacement for suspended punt returner Teddy Hoffmann. Kanoah Vinesett returns as the place kicker, but only had six attempts last year. Jackson Waller comes over from Arkansas State to handle the punting duties. Doeren has had his ups and downs as head coach, but it’s a tough ask for the Wolfpack to rank among the top teams in the ACC this year given the significant roster turnover.