NC State Football Picked to Finish 10th in ACC Preseason Poll
Raleigh, N.C. – August 1, 2025
Despite returning several experienced starters and adding talent through the transfer portal, the NC State Wolfpack football team has been picked to finish 10th in the 2025 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) preseason poll, released by the league on Wednesday. The rankings reflect a consensus among media members who remain cautious about the team’s outlook following an inconsistent 2024 campaign.
The poll, compiled from votes by credentialed ACC media, placed Florida State, Clemson, and Miami at the top, while NC State found itself in the lower half of the standings — just ahead of programs like Syracuse and Boston College.
This ranking comes as a mild disappointment for a program that had high expectations a year ago but ended the 2024 season with a 7–6 record and a Military Bowl loss to Marshall. Head coach Dave Doeren, entering his 13th season at the helm, acknowledged the outside skepticism but expressed confidence in his group.
“Preseason polls don’t define our season,” said Doeren during ACC Kickoff in Charlotte. “We know what we’re building, and we’ve got leaders in that locker room who believe in what’s ahead.”
Key Players to Watch in 2025
NC State’s roster includes several standouts who could help outperform the preseason prediction. Tight end Justin Joly, a senior transfer from UConn, earned First-Team All-ACC preseason honors, becoming a focal point for the offense after a stellar spring camp. The quarterback position, still competitive heading into August, features promising redshirt sophomore Lex Thomas, who saw limited action in 2024.
The defense is expected to remain the team’s anchor, led by linebacker Caden Fordham and defensive lineman Red Hibbler, both recipients of the team’s 2025 offseason performance awards. Fordham, in particular, is emerging as a vocal leader and was named a team captain earlier this summer.
Challenging Schedule Ahead
The Wolfpack’s schedule will put the team’s depth and resilience to the test early and often. NC State opens the season at home on August 28 against in-state rival East Carolina, before facing a tough road game at Notre Dame in Week 3. They’ll also host key conference games against Louisville, North Carolina, and Florida State.
Of particular note is the late-season matchup against the Tar Heels, now led by former NFL head coach Bill Belichick. The rivalry has tilted in NC State’s favor recently, with the Wolfpack having won four straight in the series. Another victory would tie the school’s longest winning streak over UNC in program history.
Response to Ranking
Players have largely brushed off the poll, with many viewing it as motivation. “We see it. We hear it. But we’re going to do our talking on the field,” said senior cornerback Shyheim Battle. “We know we’re better than tenth.”
Coach Doeren echoed that sentiment, emphasizing internal standards over external expectations.
“This team is hungry,” he said. “We’re going to show that the rankings don’t reflect the work we’ve put in since January.”
Final Thoughts
While being picked 10th may signal low external expectations, NC State enters the 2025 season with quiet confidence and a core of experienced talent. The pieces are in place for a stronger campaign — but it will require execution, depth, and consistency to rise in a competitive ACC field.
The Wolfpack’s journey to prove the pollsters wrong begins under the lights at Carter-Finley Stadium on August 28.
