The 2024 season didn’t end well for NC State with a loss to East Carolina in the Go Bowling Military Bowl but the aftermath struck Saturday.

After having optimism for the secondary in 2025, three key Wolfpack defenders have entered the transfer portal according to On3Sports’ Hayes Fawcett. The first domino was sophomore cornerback Brandon Cisse, whose role as a nickel corner was growing in his second season.

Hours later, starters Tamarcus Cooley and Bishop Fitzgerald followed suit, entering the portal. Cooley was a star as a redshirt freshman, making 39 tackles to go alongside nine pass breakups and three interceptions. He has three years of eligibility that NC State was hoping would be played in Raleigh.

Fitzgerald was the veteran leader of the defense, and now he’ll be at a new school for his senior season. He had 55 tackles, 7.5 for loss and eight pass breakups for the Wolfpack secondary.

That’s three crucial losses for NC State following a disappointing 6-7 season and the road only gets more difficult for 2025.