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NC State safety Bishop Fitzgerald to enter transfer portal

On3 imageby:Ethan McDowell•01/02/25•

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Dylan Sampson, Tennessee Football | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
(Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images) Sep 7, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Dylan Sampson (6) runs as North Carolina State Wolfpack safety Bishop Fitzgerald (7) defends during the second half at the Dukes Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium.

Bishop Fitzgerald announced his plans to enter the transfer portal in the final hours of the window. The senior NC State safety spent two seasons with the Wolfpack after beginning his career at the junior college level.

Fitzgerald emerged this fall as an All-ACC honorable mention defensive back. He’s the third Wolfpack defensive back to announce his intentions to leave the program Thursday night, joining sophomore cornerback Brandon Cisse and redshirt freshman nickel Tamarcus Cooley. The safety recorded 55 tackles, including 35 solo stops, and 3 interceptions this fall.

Just one week ago, Fitzgerald told TheWolfpacker.com that he planned to return to NC State after gaining another year of eligibility due to an NCAA waiver for all junior college athletes.

“It’s been a very merry Christmas for me,” Fitzgerald said with a toothy grin “Having another year to come back and graduate, being the first person in my family to graduate from college, that’s obviously the main thing. Getting to play for another year and NIL, I’m really thankful for it all.”

He was the No. 1 JUCO safety in the 2023 class and the No. 9 recruit in the country. Fitzgerald signed with the program over Arizona State and many others.

During his first year with NC State, the defensive back started 4 games, appearing in all 13 games and playing 544 total snaps, recording a 65.6 Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade. He played both safety spots in his first season at the Division-I level, recording 42 total tackles, 3 defended passes and 2 interceptions.

Fitzgerald started 12 games and played in 13 this fall, and his PFF grade rose to 74.3 as one of NC State’s most consistent defensive backs. At 6-0, 195 pounds, he finished sixth on the team in total tackle and led the Pack in passes defended.

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