“Hey, want to see what a defensive meltdown looks like? No? Too bad, you’re getting a front-row seat. Presenting: NC State’s 2023 defense.”
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“Ooh, lovely. Kinda looks like Australia. A unit that was average or better in every category up there, sitting in the 75th percentile for 11 of the 16.
NC State’s 2024 defense: a map of competence.”
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Gah! This isn’t lovely at all. What we’re looking at here is the disappearance of a quality run defense. NC State got pushed around in 2024 in ways we simply haven’t been accustomed to. The front six lacked the talent and playmaking we’ve come to expect from Tony Gibson’s units, and the humbling results followed.
The decline in stuff rate (runs stopped for zero or negative yardage) went hand in hand with a significant drop in havoc rate (disruptiveness), plus an alarming spike in explosive plays allowed. NC State’s run defense, once a rock, became a doormat.
To fix this, Dave Doeren is banking on new defensive coordinator DJ Eliot to crank up the disruption, starting with getting more out of the defensive line.
Production Lost (2024 Departures)
| Player | GP-GS | Plays | Tackles | TFL | Sacks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Davin Vann (DE) | 12-12 | 560 | 41 | 14.0 | 6.5 |
| Noah Potter (DE) | 13-2 | 377 | 20 | 1.5 | 0 |
| DJ Jackson (DT) | 8-0 | 131 | 9 | 1.0 | 0.5 |
| TOTAL | — | 1068 | 70 | 16.5 | 7.0 |
On paper, NC State doesn’t have a ton of bodies to replace up front. But losing Davin Vann is a huge deal. He was by far the defense’s most disruptive force, responsible for over a quarter of the Pack’s sacks and nearly half their forced fumbles. For the first time in a while, NC State enters a season without an obvious difference-maker at defensive end.
Production Returning (2025 Candidates)
| Player | GP-GS | Plays | Tackles | TFL | Sacks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travali Price (DE) | 13-13 | 534 | 36 | 8.5 | 3.5 |
| Brandon Cleveland (DT) | 13-13 | 588 | 36 | 3.5 | 0.5 |
| Isaiah Shirley (DE) | 12-1 | 215 | 18 | 3.0 | 1.0 |
| Chazz Wallace (DT) | 4-0 | 55 | 4 | 1.0 | 0 |
| TOTAL | — | 1392 | 94 | 16.0 | 5.0 |
There are bright spots. Travali Price’s development last season was encouraging, and maybe Eliot’s system can free up Brandon Cleveland to do more than just the (admittedly crucial) dirty work inside.
Price and Cleveland are locked in as starters. Isaiah Shirley could step into Vann’s old role after a solid 2024 debut, and Wyoming transfer Sabastian Harsh is set to be a regular at defensive end. (If he racks up 12 sacks, I will be insufferable with the puns. Frankly, the universe owes me this.)
The portal emphasis was clear: find more pass rushers, and guys who can flex between DE and LB. Transfers Tre Thomas and Cian Slone will be crucial at EDGE, and NC State desperately needs them to be hits.
Texas Tech transfer Joseph Adedire could provide a spark later in the season, though he might need time after missing all of 2024 with injury. Redshirt freshman Josh Alexander-Felton is also a name to watch in the rotation.
As for depth behind Brandon Cleveland in the middle? Your guess is as good as mine. If Chazz Wallace was the answer, he probably would’ve played more last year. Freshmen Justin Terrell and Josiah Victor could see meaningful snaps—whether that’s frightening or encouraging is… well, maybe both.
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