We asked four N.C. State football leaders to name some underrated Wolfpack players to watch in the 2025 season. Here's the list.
In less than a month, N.C. State football kicks off its 2025 season against East Carolina at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh.
The Wolfpack is set to return several key players in head coach Dave Doeren’s 13th season with the program, including quarterback CJ Bailey, tight end Justin Joly, defensive lineman Brandon Cleveland and linebacker Caden Fordham.
Those four N.C. State players were in Charlotte for ACC Kickoff, the league’s annual preseason media days. Each of them were asked to name some under-the-radar members of the Wolfpack that could blossom into consistent contributors this year.
Here’s the list of players who didn’t play much last season but could be vital to team success in 2025.
RB Duke Scott
Described as a “bowling ball” and “freak athlete” by Bailey, running back Duke Scott was the first name mentioned by the Wolfpack’s starting QB. A redshirt freshman from Georgia, Scott appeared in just one game last season. But he rushed for 4,500 yards, 66 touchdowns and averaged 10 yards per carry in high school.
WR Teddy Hoffman
A player Bailey thinks will “get a chance to shine” with the Wolfpack, Hoffman is a freshman wide receiver from Florida. As a three-year varsity player at Atlantic High School, Hoffman caught 162 passes for 2,728 yards and 49 TDs.
WR Terrell Anderson
A sophomore from Greensboro, Anderson was the third player mentioned by Bailey as a breakout candidate. During his first season with the Pack, Anderson played in every game, finishing with 14 catches for 158 yards, averaging 11.3 yards per reception. He had a 40-yard touchdown against Clemson.
WR Keenan Jackson
Jackson was the first name mentioned by Joly, who said, “I would love for you guys to give Keenan Jackson his flowers.” The sophomore wide receiver was also highlighted by Bailey, who said the Wolfpack “got a glimpse of seeing (Anderson and Jackson) play last year” before adding “they’re gonna be really good players for us.” A Waxhaw native, Jackson had 12 catches for 124 yards and two TDs as a freshman. He’s also referenced as one of the team’s top perimeter blockers.
WR Jonathan Paylor
Described by Bailey as a “speedster” and “gadget guy” who can play “anything you want,” Paylor is a redshirt freshman from Burlington. He played in three games last season, but is expected to have a bigger role as a versatile player in 2025.
DE Chase Bond
A 6-foot-4, 272-pound defensive end, Bond was the first player mentioned by Cleveland, who said the redshirt freshman is “up and coming” as a young defensive lineman after sitting out during the 2024 season.
DE Isaiah Shirley
Cleveland said Shirley “played a little bit” last season, but he’s projecting a “breakout year” for the 6-foot-3, 276-pound defensive end in 2025. The Boone native had 18 tackles, including three for loss, and a forced fumble in 12 games as a redshirt freshman last season.
S JJ Johnson
A graduate safety from Georgia State, Johnson was mentioned by Fordham as one of the players to watch in 2025. An All-Sun Belt defender with a team-best 69 tackles, Johnson will try to maintain that production at the power-conference level.
LB AJ Richardson
Another transfer named by Fordham, Richardson was a force at linebacker for Norfolk State in the MEAC. The Kings Mountain native enters his junior year after leading the MEAC with 100 tackles last season.
DE Sebastian Harsh
A redshirt senior at defensive end, Harsh joins the Wolfpack after starting his career at Wyoming. He had 40 tackles, including 8 ½ for loss in eight games last season.
DB Jackson Vick
A redshirt junior cornerback, Vick is among a defensive back group that Joly said is “so underrated, but they’re good. I’ve seen it with my own two eyes.” The Bailey native was second on the 2024 squad in special-teams snaps (192). He finished the year with 16 tackles and two pass breakups.
Rodd Baxley covers Duke, North Carolina and N.C. State for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding those teams? Send them to [email protected].
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: 11 underrated NC State football players including Keenan Jackson
Category: General Sports
