Dave Doeren enters his 14th season at NC State following an 8-5 campaign in 2025. Offensively, NC State returns continuity at quarterback and on the line, but must replace its top five pass-catchers and some backfield production. This creates a mix of experience up front and turnover at the skill positions. Kurt Roper returns for his second season as offensive coordinator, while CJ Bailey returns at quarterback. Duke Scott is among the running back options after Hollywood Smothers’ departure, while North Carolina transfer Davion Gause joins the backfield. Update (Oct. 14): RB Duke Scott suffered a foot injury against Louisville and missed the Wake Forest game. Davion Gause has taken on an expanded role in the backfield while Scott remains sidelined. Keenan Jackson returns, while transfers Jojo Trader and Davion Dozier join the receiving corps. Teddy Hoffmann will miss the 2026 season while serving a suspension after testing positive for PEDs. The offensive line returns full-time starter Teague Andersen after making 12 starts last season, while Kamen Smith and Spike Sowells Jr. each return after making six. Rico Jackson also returns after making four starts. Update (Oct. 14): NC State’s offensive line has been significantly disrupted by injuries. Spike Sowells Jr. has missed four consecutive games, while Yousef Mugharbil and Kamen Smith were also unavailable against Wake Forest. The Wolfpack entered that game with only two season-opening offensive-line starters available.
DJ Eliot enters his second season as defensive coordinator, with NC State returning just four of its top eleven tacklers from last season, including only one of its top five. This leaves the secondary as the main source of continuity, while the front seven faces considerable turnover. Asaad Brown Jr. returns as a full-time starter after making 10 starts last season, while Jackson Vick, Ronnie Royal III, Brian Nelson II, Tristan Teasdell, and Penn State transfer King Mack remain in the mix. Veteran CB Jamel Johnson returned to the roster for a fifth season. Update (Oct. 14): CB Jamel Johnson received a favorable court ruling in September that cleared him to play in 2026, after earlier uncertainty about his eligibility. The front seven features considerable turnover, with Joseph Adedire and Isaiah Shirley returning. Tulane transfer Harvey Dyson and Miami transfer Raul “Popo” Aguirre Jr. join the group.
Todd Goebbel enters his eighth season as special teams coordinator. On special teams, NC State enters 2026 with a returning kicker and a new primary punt returner. Kaneah Vinesett returns at placekicker after attempting six field goals last season, while Arkansas State transfer Jackson Waller joins the competition at punter. Duke Scott returns with kick-return experience, while NC State features a new primary punt returner with Hoffmann unavailable for the season.
Overall, NC State entered 2026 with continuity at quarterback and starting experience along the offensive line and in the secondary, but considerable turnover at the skill positions and throughout the front seven. Injuries to Scott and multiple offensive linemen have further disrupted the offense, placing additional pressure on Bailey and the remaining healthy contributors.