NC State’s encouraging offseason continued over the weekend with a couple more major announcements: tight end Justin Joly is back, and so are running back Kendrick Raphael and defensive end Travali Price.
Joly’s return is a huge positive for CJ Bailey and the offense, and with the receiver room staying pretty much intact, the passing attack should be better next fall. State had seven receivers catch at least 10 passes in 2024, and six are back.
Raphael and Hollywood Smothers give State an excellent tandem at running back, and freshman Duke Scott should push for reps as well. The skill positions are set.
Travali Price’s return is important for a defense that is losing Davin Vann—Price had a good second half of the season and ended up third on the team in tackles for loss. Isaiah Shirley and Brandon Cleveland had previously been announced as returning up front.
Price, Cleveland, Sean Brown, Caden Fordham, Tamarcus Cooley, Brandon Cisse, and Devan Boykin give the defense seven returning starters. (Plus Kamal Bonner and Devon Marshall.) Not bad, not bad.