New talent injection: Previewing NC State's secondary going into fall camp

It looked like NC State’s defensive backfield was going to make it through the winter transfer portal period unscathed — until the final hours of the window. 

The Wolfpack lost its top four expected returners from the secondary, including star cornerback Brandon Cisse, at the last minute to send the program into overdrive to rebuild its ball hawks. Despite having a blank slate in the defensive backfield, the Pack viewed it as an opportunity for any player to step up. 

NC State added four transfer portal defensive backs, while it had a stable of young talent eager to prove itself. That made for a competitive spring practice slate with a likely battle-filled fall camp on the horizon. 

“If you’re a great player, you have to prove it. If you were bad, you have to prove you’re going to be bad,” said NC State co-defensive coordinator Charlton Warren, who also coaches the nickelbacks and safeties. It’s an open competition. The jobs are open. Their enthusiasm and hunger is what’s going to push them to earn reps or lose reps.”

Temple transfer corner Jamel Johnson, Missouri transfer corner Jaren Sensabaugh and Georgia State transfer safety JJ Johnson headlined NC State’s portal haul, while it was also able to bring in former North Texas corner Brian Nelson II after spring practice concluded. 

Although the new additions have experience — a combined 82 games played between that quartet — NC State is excited about the defensive backs it had waiting in the wings over the last couple of seasons. 

Redshirt senior safety Rente Hinton has flashed at times, while senior corner Devon Marshall was effective when his number was called a year ago. Redshirt junior corners Jackson Vick and Isaiah Crowell, as well as redshirt sophomore Zack Myers and redshirt freshman Ronnie Royal III are all talented enough to find their way into the mix, too. 

For NC State defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot, watching the secondary come together was his highlight of the spring practice slate as the team prepared for fall camp.

“We had some good coverage, really towards the end. I thought that was our most-improved area,” Eliot said. “I’m excited about the guys that were here and maybe didn’t get as many reps. I saw them step up this spring. But I’m also excited about the new guys that came in in the spring. I think we’ve got a good blend of players right there.”

There’s plenty of unknowns going into the 2025 campaign when it comes to the secondary, but NC State is confident in the players it has to live up to the standard that the departed defenders left in Raleigh. That’s all the Wolfpack could ask for in the new era of college football. 

Spotlight Player

Redshirt sophomore Brian Nelson II

NC State dipped into the transfer portal after the spring practice window to add Nelson, who was the top-ranked available player at his position. The rising redshirt sophomore posted 53 total tackles, including two for a loss, with four interceptions and seven passes defended last fall. 

The self-described well-rounded corner felt like he was a perfect fit for NC State’s defense. 

“They understood on film that my instincts and awareness on the field are really good,” Nelson said. “They were looking for a corner that can be an all-around corner, not just a cover guy or just making tackles. They thought I was going to be a great fit, not just on the field, but off the field as a person too.”

Nelson, an underrecruited player out of Pearland (Texas) Shadow Creek, is ready to prove that his game translates to the ACC. NC State’s new-look secondary will allow him to do just that this fall.

Projected depth chart

Starters

6 Devon Marshall (CB) Sr., 5-11, 200, Boston, Mass.
21 Jamel Johnson (CB) Sr., 5-11, 195, Covington, Ga.
14 Jaren Sensabaugh (Nickel), R-Fr. 6-1, 179, Nashville, Tenn.
16 JJ Johnson (S), 5-10, 190, Anguilla, Mass.
3 Rente Hinton (S), R-Sr., 6-3, 211, Mobile, Ala.

Backups

7 Brian Nelson II (CB) R-So., 6-0, 191, Pearland, Texas
22 Jackson Vick (CB), R-Jr. 5-11, 182, Bailey, N.C.
8 Isaiah Crowell (Nickel) R-Jr., 5-11, 184, Kernersville, N.C.
2 Ronnie Royal III (S), R-Fr. 5-9, 185, Gulf Shores, Ala.
24 Zack Myers (S), R-So., 6-1, 202, Arden, N.C.

Waiting in the wings

15 Jivan Baly (CB) R-Fr., 5-11, 165, Norcross, Ga.
27 Cam Strong (CB), Fr., 6-0, 170, Anderson, N.C.
26 Asaad Brown Jr. (Nickel), R-Fr., 6-0, 188, Chesapeake, Va.
20 Daemon Fagan (S), R-So., 6-3, 190, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
29 Brody Barnhardt (S), R-Fr. 6-0, 192, Cornelius, N.C.

Positional Grades

Starters – 2 stars

As noted above, NC State had to replace all of its starting defensive backs from a year ago. That makes this room unproven going into the 2025 season. Yes, the Wolfpack was able to reload through the transfer portal and has young players ready to step up, but until then, it’s all potential. Production will be the biggest thing to watch with the starting crop of defensive backs.

Experience – 2.5 stars

NC State was able to land several experienced players in the transfer portal, headlined by veteran defensive backs Jamel Johnson and JJ Johnson. The two Group of Five products are expected to play pivotal roles as they’re surrounded by younger talent. Jaren Sensabaugh is likely to be the Pack’s go-to nickel, while Rente Hinton is primed for his first starting role. If the experienced talent can help the younger players, NC State should be in good shape as the season progresses.

Depth – 2 stars

Although the Wolfpack has experienced players to support its expected starting lineup in the secondary, most of its backups haven’t played a lot on the defensive side of the ball. North Texas transfer corner Brian Nelson II will likely see time on the field after he was the top available corner in the portal when he committed, but the rest of the Pack’s primary reserves have minimal experience. How they play when they’re needed will be the biggest key in the potential of this position group.

Overall grade — 2 stars

NC State had to revamp its defensive backfield in the offseason. In a defensive scheme that wants to get after the quarterback, the Wolfpack’s secondary will be tested early and often. If the new faces can solidify themselves early in the season, NC State could be in good shape.

By the numbers

0 – How many returning starters are in NC State’s defensive backfield

7 — The number of pass breakups Devon Marshall logged last season

50.9 — The completion percentage that Brian Nelson II allowed during his first two seasons of college football at North Texas