⚡ CFB Dashboard

After an 8-5 2025 campaign, the Wolfpack will try to take a step forward this season. Pack Power 247 takes a look at five players who must step up for State to contend in the ACC this fall. Junior QB CJ Bailey Bailey, a soon-to-be three-year starter, is the most obvious player on the list. I've said previously and it remains the case: State will go as Bailey goes this fall. Last season as sophomore, Bailey for 3,105 yards and 25 touchdowns, which was good for ninth and tied for seventh single season-wise in program history. The Florida native also completed 69 percent of his passes during the 2025 campaign. He was particularly impressive at home where the Pack went 6-1 during the 2025 campaign. Bailey completed 148-of-202 passes (73 percent) for 1,788 yards with 14 touchdowns and just one interception inside Carter-Finley Stadium.  Conversely, Bailey completed 110-of-171 passes (64 percent) for 1,096 yards with nine touchdowns and eight interceptions on the road. Not surprisingly, State struggled in those contests, finishing 1-4. Make no mistake, Bailey must be more consistent. At the same time, he received too much of the blame for the team's struggles. I'd also point to an average offensive line which was completely overwhelmed at times, especially against against Notre Dame and Miami, which were both blowout losses. The Pack's wide receiver corp also didn't live up to the offseason hype. Plus, the defense was among the worst in the ACC and 109th nationally. Back to Bailey, with it's top five receivers and All-ACC running back Hollywood Smothers gone, the Florida native must improve while also elevating those around him. Redshirt Junior OT Jimarion McCrimon Given the importance of the quarterback position and the significant investment in Bailey, protecting his blind side is paramount. That responsibility falls on the shoulders of the ECU transfer. After making seven starts at right tackle as a redshirt freshman, McCrimon appeared in all 13 games this fall for the Pirates, earning 12 starts at left tackle to anchor what was the 3rd ranked overall offense in the American. His consistent production throughout the 2025 campaign earned him first-team All-AAC honors in the process. Although his performance over the past two seasons is encouraging, making the transition to the Power Four level is going to be a much more difficult challenge. Fortunately, McCrimon has hit the ground running, starting with winter conditioning. The 6-foot-6 McCrimon weighed 306 pounds ahead of spring practice, which was up 14 pounds from when he arrived on campus in January. Fast forward to spring ball, and by all accounts, McCrimon showed improvement in each practice. So much so I had multiple people tell me he was better than Jacarrius Peak, who was a three-year starter prior to transferring to South Carolina after the 2025 season. While that remains to be seen, it's imperative for McCrimon to play at a high level this fall. Redshirt Senior Edge Harvey Dyson State's pass rush was abysmal last season. The Wolfpack registered just 20 sacks last fall, which ranked 14th in the ACC and 109th nationally. Although it was the lone reason State ranked 130th in FBS against the pass, it played a signifcant part in the Pack's struggles. No matter how well the offense performs this season, State's ceiling is limited if it can't consistently pressure the quarterback, which is why the addition of the disruptive Dyson was one of the Pack's biggest transfer portal additions. Last season at Tulane, the 6-2, 248-pound Dyson recorded 36 tackles, including 11.5 for loss and an American Athletic Conference best eight sacks. Dyson also tallied 24 quarterback pressures for the Green Wave, which ranked 23rd among FBS defenders. The defensive playmaker graded out with a 90.4 pass-rushing grade from Pro Football Focus, which ranked 15th in all of college football among players with at least 200 pass-rushing snaps. Everything I've heard suggests Dyson looked the part during spring ball, but like McCrimon, moving the Power Four level presents a challenge. Redshirt Sophomore RB Duke Scott Scott faces the unenviable task of replacing first-team All-ACC performer Hollywood Smothers. How will he handle being the feature back on a full-time basis? That's a big question. However, Scott proved more than capable when given the opportunity last fall.  Scott made two starts -- Georgia Tech and Memphis -- and rushed for 196 yards and a score and 108 yards, respectively, in those contests The 5-10, 215-pound Scott finished his redshirt season with 106 carries for 595 yards (5.6 yards per carry) with four scores, while also hauling in 15 receptions for 132 yards. CJ Bailey taking the next step, improved offensive line play and more consistent production from State's receivers would be beneficial for Scott. He doesn't have the ceiling of Smothers, but he's been productive at every level. Thus, it's fair to assume he'll perform well this season. Ideally, Scott becomes one of the better running backs in the ACC. Senior LB Popo Aguirre Speaking of tough tasks, Aguirre, who projects as State's starting Mike linebacker, is charged with replacing Caden Fordham, who had a monster senior season for the Pack. Fordham's 130 tackles ranked No. 1 among Power Four players. He earned All-ACC First Team and multiple All-American honors. During the 2024 and 2025 campaigns at Miami, Aguirre registered a combined  70 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and one sack with one pass deflection and one fumble recovered for a touchdown While he Hurricanes top reserve linebacker last season, he'll be asked to quarterback State's defense this fall. Although experienced and talented, how will he adjust to a much bigger role? Given the lack of proven talent at the position, Aguirre stepping up will be critical for the Wolfpack.