The NC State football players poised for a breakout season in 2024, according to teammates

KC Concepcion blossomed into a breakout star for NC State football last season, finishing his freshman year as the ACC Rookie of the Year.

One of the nation's top wide receivers, Concepcion set the Wolfpack freshman record for catches (71) and receiving touchdowns (10) in 2023.

Duke transfer Jordan Waters, who is a part of the Wolfpack’s highly-touted group of additions from the portal, was asked at ACC Kickoff in Charlotte to name a few players capable of a breakout season in 2024.

“I don’t even know where to start,” Waters said, before giving a nod to Concepcion and naming two players who could follow a similar script this year.

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Waters, along with defensive lineman Davin Vann and quarterback Grayson McCall, highlighted four potential breakout players. Here’s the list.

Noah Rogers, wide receiver

Rogers, a Raleigh native, was mentioned by each of the three Wolfpack players in attendance at the ACC’s preseason media days. The Ohio State transfer is expected to take some pressure off Concepcion as a big-play threat on the outside. During his high school career, Rogers had 48 touchdowns at Rolesville.

Offensively, Vann said, N.C. State’s wide receiving group is “really deep and really talented.”

Justin Joly, tight end

Another player who joined the Wolfpack via the portal, Joly had 56 catches for 578 yards and two touchdowns last season at UConn. The tight end averaged 10.3 yards per catch and is projected to be one of the top newcomers in the ACC.

Waters described Joly and Rogers as “two dogs that work hard, with some of the best hands I’ve seen.”

Wesley Grimes, wide receiver

A Raleigh native and Wake Forest transfer, Grimes provides McCall with another target as one of NC State’s new wide receivers. Grimes had 20 catches for 339 yards and four touchdowns for the Demon Deacons in 2023.

“Coach (Dave) Doeren talked about it a little bit, but Noah Rogers and Wesley Grimes from the transfer portal are two really good players who grew up in the area,” McCall said. “They’re gonna be really good.”

Donovan Kaufman, safety

Vann and McCall highlighted N.C. State’s defensive backs, a group that includes Auburn transfer Donovan Kaufman. Kaufman, a safety, had 37 tackles, two forced fumbles and an interception last season with the Tigers.

“I’m really excited for our DB corps. I think our DB corps is really good,” Vann said. “We have a lot of depth.”

McCall added: “Some of these guys we’ve brought in with the late portal cycle — DK from Auburn and those guys — are studs.”

Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on X/Twitter.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: NC State football roster: Breakout candidates for Wolfpack in 2024