Pack Power

This episode reviews the upcoming athletic events in the first weeks of classes - most notably soccer and the eventual football/volleyball seasons!

In The Den is a podcast produced by WKNC 88.1 FM HD-1/HD-2, student-run radio from NC State University. Like what you hear? Consider supporting it with a gift to the WKNC Enhancement Fund. Visit our podcast page to hear more and follow us on all social media platforms @WKNC881. Thanks for listening.

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Creators and Guests

Host

Logan Brumley

What is In The Den?

"In The Den" with host Logan Brumley covers everything from the NC State Wolfpack's NCAA, intramural and club sports. "In The Den" is a podcast from WKNC 88.1 FM HD-1/HD-2 at NC State University.

PACKPOWER.mp3
Meeting created at: 18th Aug, 2026 - 3:52 PM

00:00
Logan Brumley
Hello and welcome to WKNC's official sports podcast in a den. Hope that your first day of classes and second days have been going really good. We have ourselves quite a lineup today. I'm going to be doing a preview of the upcoming football volleyball seasons and I'm also going to be doing a preview of the soccer openers that are this weekend. So get your headphones on. Let's get straight to it. I would like to start the episode though with a brief memorial for NC State alumni Cozell McQueen, who passed away over the past week. He was someone who, despite being born in Paris, spent a good chunk of his life in the Carolinas. He was recruited in, I think it was '82 under Jimmy V. And was a key part of that front court with Thurl Bailey and Lorenzo Charles.

01:11
Logan Brumley
And although he did not get into that superstar level, he was still a really good producer during his first few years with the program. You might most remember him for his time in 1983 March of Madness tournament where he had a crucial game time shot in overtime against Pepperdine. He had a crucial rebound late in the national championship that set up the game lead in score near the end of the game before the notable miss in the national championship. He spent some time in the pros as well playing with Milwaukee. He was drafted in Milwaukee, played a year with Detroit and then played in various European leagues, especially in Spain and Italy.

02:08
Logan Brumley
However, when his retirement came around, he became a big part of coming back home and spending time with a lot of the team with events celebrating the team's history or just kind of being general someone who show their face around a campus. He seemed to really love it here. All the team seemed to love him. And again, it's very brief but you know, rest in peace to Cozell McQueen. All right, I know, I mean definitely make sure to pause the episode if you want a longer moment silence for it but figured I know it's really bad tone shift. Figured I'll let you know and I will get started on the football Preview.

03:14
Logan Brumley
Last season, NC State took a step up by going 8-5 and 4-4 in a conference good for 9th in a crazy tumultuous ACC conference where nobody knew who on earth was going to win. And then, you know, there became an issue with no ACC teams in the NCAA tournament. And that's, you know, not here right now. They're back and they're looking to maintain this level of success for the next year and beyond. I mean I don't think this is a team a lot of guys are saying is a national title contender. I think the highest I've seen is him staying around this spot maybe a little bit better. Let me see if I can find it. 2026 Projections has them. Yeah about the same as where they were. But I mean let's see what we got.

04:22
Logan Brumley
I mean there was, it was a really high turnover year for this program. They lost a lot of quality offensive players to the transfer portal. But C.J. Bailey, he's back for his third year under Realm. No, he was a really key point of course the passing offense and also created rushing tangent with Smothers. So we'll see how much of that we're going to get back. This offense will be the same in format but the names are going to be really new. The chatter about Bailey's draft stocks is starting to grow and this could maybe be a breaker make a break season for the next step or even for his time at NC State because I mean last year he forwarded with the transfer portal and going to Miami. I think that could very well happen again here.

05:28
Logan Brumley
Especially if NC State does not feel like a place where he can develop his draft stock and his draft capabilities. And I mean we'll have to see how this year goes for him. A lot of prospect boards have him as being an undrafted guy. I mean it kind of makes sense just you know on a play to play basis it's not as efficient and his arm isn't the craziest either. I think another year to grow will be really great. Projected starters. There are a couple of transfers, most notably JoJo Trader and Davion Dozier are listed starters according to our lads at the receiver spot. The only starter like receiving that was turning for this year is Keenan Jackson. Duke Scott is ready to take over.

06:28
Logan Brumley
He was previously the number two running back with about 500 close to 600 yards, four touchdowns and 100 carries. But he's gonna get to number one reps. He got the number one number so we'll see if we can get some of that, you know, flash creativity and just have like a really great season. Like another really great season in our running back position. And the number two guys now, Davion Gause who is from uncle. The offensive line isn't amazing but Teague Anderson returns. He could be a guy that gets drafted. Spike Sowells Jr. Returns, Kayman Smith returns and the O line transfers are two that I like a lot.

07:14
Logan Brumley
Jamarion McCrimmon from ECU was the name that was thrown around in draft boards especially in earlier episodes and Daniel Cruz is a Texas guy and that feels like a really good track record at least and he will begin to start a nod it seems. I mean a lot of fluctuation adjustment are still going to be needed for the team for these first few games. You know, I think it's going to be set up well. We'll see just how this looks against Virginia in the next few weeks and I think the home opener against Richmond, which we will talk about in a year episode will be interesting to see. How do you think a deep wide receiver group, the running back and offensive line with talent? There's a lot of good talent here.

08:03
Logan Brumley
There's a coach in the second year under this system so it can grow and improve. It's something where I see a lot of worries, especially if players aren't able to take the next step and the coach isn't either. But potentially wise. This is a top five offense in the acc. I believe the defense had a much more drastic overhaul. I think of all of the players that went to the NC State or went from NC State to the NFL, either from the draft or undrafted, it was like six of them were on the defensive side compared to like I think 7, 8 overall. Devon Marshall and Caden Fordham are gone, which I think are like the two biggest impact leaves and it's going to be really hard to find players who can return to those positions. Isaiah Shirley will be returning his nose tackle.

09:08
Logan Brumley
There's gonna be some new guys that are gonna be starting who have been in the system before. With Price in Cleveland, there's a lot of transfers who are coming in for the linebacker corps and for the secondary. Let's see Dyson from Tulane, Aguirre from Miami, Florida, Evans. I'm kind of. I only listed her last names. I don't know why I didn't do the full names. But there's a lot of linebacker talent that's coming in through the transfer portal. There's a lot of players that are returning that were also pretty talented. The front, the defensive line is going to be pretty much the same. I think with productivity, especially with next man up mentality. This defense is pretty much a band aid ragtag underdog groups which could maybe be really good. If D.J. Elliott is that NFL linebacker coach.

10:21
Logan Brumley
This is the chance to really prove yourself kind of situation I could see happening with a lot of recruiting for this team. And then the secondary, it was the worst I think in the conference last year and Devon Marshall was like the only bright spot of it. But Brian Nelson, he's The guy that I've been a fan of, Jackson Vick, is finally ready to start. I think that will be fun to see. Treasdell is also returning and King Mack, who is a guy that could be a draftee is also coming in to start. So is the secondary better? Not really. I think it is just about the same, I guess talent wise. But I mean these are guys that I liked seeing and they're small reps and they're small.

11:13
Logan Brumley
Like the highs were really good with them and so maybe there is something more to this than just a bunch of players thrown together. I don't think it'd be a top defense. I think it would definitely be the problem for the team. But if this linebacker group is as good as it could be, then again this is a team that would have a really solid defense and could finish at ninth or even higher with it. Last thing I'd like to mention is special teams. The punter Noonkaster, he has wished the squad farewell. He has just recently drafted, not drafted, graduated. And I guess we'll see what comes next for him in that regard. Who will replace him? Jackson Waller, senior from KD, Texas and SMU.

12:14
Logan Brumley
He got 41 yards per punt, 57 long and 32% of his punts went into 20 which is about the same numbers as Noonkaster. And so I could definitely see him just being solid senior guy. While the freshman recruit Christian Hartham gets more development and I could definitely see Hartham getting some reps as well. But Waller's in this last year. We'll see how it goes. But I don't really think it'll be too bad kicker wise. There was some drama with Nick Konieczynski., I think I'm pronouncing it right. And the eventual starter, I think he's the starter now for this year. Kanoa Vinesett 98% on extra points, 83% and field goals in a longer 51 yards. So definitely get some threes in. As long as the offense is just decent, which I think it will be. And I mean special teams is important.

13:21
Logan Brumley
All programs, I think they'll be successful in this regard. I think they'll be able to help their defense with, you know, pinning them in a little bit now I think kicking will be able to get points on the board even if things are stalling, especially early in the season. Their schedule, only two out of their four conference like two of their four out of conference games went to bowl games. It was. Hold on, what's your schedule? It was Appalachian State and Virginia. You know, Virginia is in conference but for this series it's out of conference. I don't know, I don't make the rules on that but those are the big two. Oh no. Vanderbilt also is at a conference and no app State didn't make the bowl game. It's Vanderbilt in Virginia. Vanderbilt game I think would be really fun.

14:24
Logan Brumley
See there and then four of their eight conference opponents made a bowl game so that could be about six wins on the board and get some in to a bowl game at least. But it'd be nice to see some upsets, some notable matchups, Home opener against Richmond, prime time nationally telephized on the SEC network against Vanderbilt. That'll be fun. Especially since who knows maybe NC State there Educator Appreciation Day Wake Forest they have Duke at home and their home finale against Syracuse. Their UNC rivalry game is an away game. Oh look at this I just saw. So now it's earlier today too. Offensive captains are C.J. Bailey, Duke Scott and defensive captains are Popo Aguirre and Brian Nelson ii. So I don't know if that gets to you at all but some little ass piece of news there.

15:41
Logan Brumley
Anyways, let me get on to volleyball. NC State compared to football they took a big step back in volleyball. They went 8-12 in the conference, finished outside the top 10 in conference and outside top 100 in volleyball rankings. Their defense is still quality with a mild step down compared to last year, but their team is near the bottom in all major offensive statistics. Courtney Bryant, Sydney Daniels, Lilly Cropper all graduate Courtney Brian she was the lead and hitter on the team. Sydney Daniels and Cropper were two solid defensive players. However they did add a notable transfer. Katie Kilpatrick. She spent the last three years at Old Dominion. Her father is an alumni and she has 3.84 digs per set as a Libero so a little more defensive quality put in. They managed to get a lot of decent sounding three star recruits this year.

16:49
Logan Brumley
Callie Combs, the Liberp from Cincinnati is a player of the year in Ohio. Nora Bush, middleback from Pennsylvania, Pottstown two time Gatorade player of the year in volleyball I think her state at least. Brittany Silver, an outside hitter from Greenville who played on the USA Volleyball Tournament and was all volleyball team. Lakena Korwen, an opposite hitter from Peoria, Arizona who's a multi time state champion and Evilon, a setter from Fenton, Michigan who is a three time prep volleyball all American. There is a foundation to be built offensively with all of this. Rebecca Ring, Samaya Dorsey Smith hold on, I forgot her name. Mackenzie Smith I believe is her name. And then there are some incoming talents as well with Silver and Corwin. There's great potential if realized with the coach and veteran experience of Vondren. Why did I just put the last names?

18:11
Logan Brumley
Claire Vondren, who's senior and Jordan Smith. Sorry. Rebecca Ring is going to be the head of the offense now. There's some good veterans, there's some really good freshmen. We'll see how it looks. But I think it will be at least fun to see defensively a lot of upperclassmen return for their last run with Alesa Folar, Talia Francombe and of course Katie Kirkpatrick. Or all the seniors are going to be putting the chips to the center in order to go out slamming and get something in. Maybe ACC tournament bid, NCAA tournament bid. Just push it for as long as they can and they will have rotation with Suzuya Masiuicz who was like the wood bearer for last year. She took a lot of reps as a true freshman. And let's see, their out of conference schedule looks pretty lenient.

19:17
Logan Brumley
Only two of the nine made it to the NCAA tournament. Most notably was number four seed Indiana and number four seed in a way that March Madness does. Their seeds and five of their 17 ACC opponents made the NCAA tournament could end. Most notably, you know, Georgia Tech, Miami, Pitt, like all the heavy hitters they're going to be playing against and seven out of their opponents finished worse than him. So I mean if we just go based entirely off of that's 17 wins right there, which would be a step up. No, that would be nine wins and you would have to grab some here and there. But we'll see. We'll see their first game of the season. I think I will have a review on it tonight.

20:19
Logan Brumley
They have the red and white game which is, you know, just not intramural but pregame matchup and they're going to be in Orlando in the UCF tournament as their opener next week. Speaking of openers, I will go on to my last big segments with men's soccer having a play against Coastal Carolina and women's soccer playing against Elon, both at home. Men's soccer, they finish number two ranked in the country, which makes sense as the runner up. And Tyler Caton is preseason ACC player of the year to watch. They're going to open up this season hosting Coastal Carolina, who came off a 3-9-1 season including a loss against Kentucky early in the Sun Belt Tournament.

21:16
Logan Brumley
They lost a lot of talent with 20 incoming players and practically no one from last year and having NC State as their openers is rough, but I'll get a little bit more to that. Last year they gave up 26 goals in 14 games and about two and a half yellow cards a game, which is about the worst in our conference. They did manage to get some decent players coming in though. I have most notably a Houston Christian transfer, Theo Butterworth, who was a pretty good defensive player in his freshman year. Didn't play much his sophomore year, but it's now back to hopefully tap into some of that defensive potential for the squad and then also have New York Red Bulls developmental prospect Patrick Calano who is returning but didn't really get any stunt reps who I expect really could goalie.

22:18
Logan Brumley
Their only goalie with notable reps that wasn't like a backup from a different score, to be frank, is Ben Hertel, who with Johnson County Community College in Kansas won a runner up in the JUCO Division 2 championship. The offense kind of in that same territory. They had 17 goals and the team shooting at 13% which I guess isn't terrible but not great either. They just probably aren't taking getting the opportunity to take a lot of shots. But they could. They have another former Red Bulls Prospect and top 150 recruit Patrick Shaw, sophomore former NC State player Isaac Bucens in the midfield and their biggest offensive producer who is returning Robert Fedemarsen from Iceland. He's a junior. The last player put down Big east tournament player Pearse o' Brien from Providence, New York team could be a bulldozer.

23:22
Logan Brumley
matchup, but we'll see how the midfield matchup looks because I know NC State does have some turnover that position as well. So there could maybe be an advantage for Coastal Carolina in that position. I doubt it though. I mean I guess maybe we'll see if Caton can be the guy he needs to be who's going to be the big scorer with Phillips gone, all that jazz. Women's soccer is another one I don't really feel too confident about. This is it's a home opener. I think they're going to have already played a game either by the time this up I think yeah, by the time this is uploaded they would have played James Madison, which maybe they won, maybe they lost only you know, Shoot. Okay. Their defense has been quality last year Iowans has.

24:34
Logan Brumley
They gave up the lowest number of goals at 16 and they're wet by goalkeeper Katie Busgrove who's returning with an 80% save rate and have their stud defensive trio of Hill, Pierce and Gilhouse, who are all either Reds or juniors or seniors. In their last run they made the NCAA Tournament. It's going to be rough and it's going to be fun. I will say small correction. This isn't their home opener, but this is their much more fun game because Elon made a tournament. UNC Charlotte did not. They're second in the conference in total goals and one of the best in the week in shooting percentage team wise at 14%. While they did lose their Ford to Clemson, they still have their two goal scoring leaders in Redshirt Junior Isa Murdock and Gilhouse as a defensive player.

25:39
Logan Brumley
Eva Hellner she scored two goals versus VCU and the team managed to produce nine shots on goals and 24 shots in a 41 blowout versus VCU as their home opener Veteran defensive core gives young offensive prospects a challenge from the get go in a wide range of positional scorers. You know defense, forward, midfielder does provide a challenge for NC State defense. They gave up a goal against James Madison over the past week but did not struggle against them. They won 3:1 and they beat Richmond 4:0. A player who's kind of become a really good scorer for them so far is Jade Bordeleau with three goals. Daisy Duda, she's got herself an assist and a goal as well. And Ellie Breed, she has been starting in both of these games. She has two saves for a win percentage of 100.

26:51
Logan Brumley
It was one of the backups, Merchant Esteban, who gave up a goal against James Madison pretty late in the game. No, pretty early in the game. I misspoke, but I feel good about this, especially with those two blowout wins early on. I know the women's soccer struggled pretty early on in their schedules, but that's not going to be a problem here. So make sure to show out this weekend for guess either one of the two Elon on Saturday or Coastal Carolina on Thursday. But that's all I have for you today. Hope you have a good day and go pack. Have a good first week.

Transcribed by https://fireflies.ai/