NC State transfer portal commitment analysis: Chazz Wallace
NC State football landed its third commitment of the past week and second recent pledge out of the transfer portal Wednesday night. Former Colorado defensive lineman Chazz Wallace announced he is joining the Wolfpack, filling a huge need for the program in the process.
After going into this spring portal window with needs at safety and nose tackle, NC State addressed both of those gaps within 12 hours of each other. The Pack has 2 more scholarships remaining, per TheWolfpacker.com’s count.
Wallace has one year of eligibility remaining and spent the first three years of his collegiate career in rotational roles with Old Dominion and Colorado. He will likely have similar responsibilities in NC State’s defense.
Where does NC State’s transfer portal recruiting stand?
NC State brought three transfer portal prospects in for visits this week. Akron safety Kerry Martin Jr. and Wallace both committed Wednesday.
Now, attention turns to former Ohio State and Syracuse safety Ja’Had Carter. The veteran defensive back and former All-ACC honorable mention honoree also spent a couple of days campus this week. Even with Martin joining the program, multiple sources indicated the Pack would take Carter’s commitment too.
Keep a close eye on the Buckeye safety. Visits wrap up around 4 p.m. today.
Stephen F. Austin defensive lineman Brandon Lane is the only other transfer left on NC State’s recruiting board. After postponing his visit due to academic commitments, the defensive lineman now plans on visiting the Pack Sunday.
His college graduation is scheduled for Saturday, and he told TheWolfpacker.com Tuesday that he did not have any other trips scheduled prior to his his NC State visit. It remains unclear whether or not the Pack will continue to recruit him after Wallace’s commitment.
Chazz Wallace shows the strain that will help him fit in at NC State
“Strain” is a popular buzzword for NC State’s coaching staff when talking about its defense. Wallace’s athleticism and effort really pops on tape. At 6-2, 295 pounds, he does not give up on a play and pursues the ball carrier with a fire that the Pack coaching staff will likely love.
The defensive lineman is also very quick off the ball, which helps him beat some slower offensive linemen. He started the last 4 games of the 2023 season for Colorado and recorded 1.5 sacks in that time. Between Wallace and junior Brandon Cleveland, NC State will field two nose tackles who can disrupt the opposing offense. The incoming transfer’s speed and agility sets him apart, but he has the strength to eat up blockers and collapse the pocket as well.
The veteran lineman adds competition at nose tackle
Cleveland is the likely starter at nose tackle this year, but Wallace should factor heavily into the rotation. NC State’s defense is exponentially better when it has a deep defensive line. The former Colorado lineman brings that depth and experience to Raleigh. He spent last year competing in the Pac-12, so he has Power Five experience.
Wallace played 71 of his 252 snaps in 2023 at nose tackle, per Pro Football Focus (PFF). Colorado mixed up its defensive fronts throughout the season, so the rising senior has experience playing the same role he will fill in Raleigh. He also spent some time on the edge of the Buffaloes’ three-man front, so it’s possible he could contribute at defensive end as well.
His 1 year at Colorado showed steady improvement
After playing a very limited role over his first 6 weeks at Colorado, he played at least 24 snaps in each of the final 6 games of the season. Wallace ended the campaign with 11 total tackles and missed 2 attempts, finishing his junior year with a below average 56.4 PFF grade. Each of his 4 starts during that season were against conference opponents, and the lineman’s snap count increased to 43 by the end of season. Wallace recorded 5 total tackles in the season finale against Utah.
Prior to his stint with the Buffaloes, Wallace recorded 47 total tackles and 2.5 sacks over 2 years at Old Dominion. He posted a 69.4 PFF grade in 2022, including a standout 70.1 run defense mark.
NC State scholarship count
Based on TheWolfpacker.com’s count, the safety’s commitment brings NC State up to 83 scholarships for the 2024 season.
NC State transfer portal commitment timeline
Wide receiver Wesley Grimes (Wake Forest; Raleigh,N.C., Millbrook High)— Dec. 8
Center Zeke Correll (Notre Dame; Cincinatti, Ohio, Anderson High)— Dec. 9
Offensive tackle Valen Erickson (Missouri; Chicago,IL, St. Rita High)— Dec. 9
Quarterback Grayson McCall (Coastal Carolina; Indian Trail, N.C., Porter Ridge High)— Dec. 13
Tight end Justin Joly (UConn; New Rochelle, N.Y., Iona Prep)— Dec. 14
Cornerback Corey Coley Jr. (Maryland; Jacksonville, Fla., Trinity Christian Academy)— Dec. 17
Safety Tamarcus Cooley (Maryland; Knightdale, N.C., Rolesville High)— Dec. 18
Running back Jordan Waters (Duke; Fairmont, N.C., High)— Dec. 18
Wide receiver Noah Rogers (Ohio State; Rolesville, N.C., High)— Jan. 4
Cornerback Devon Marshall (Villanova; Boston, Mass., Catholic Memorial High)— Jan. 4
Running back Hollywood Smothers (Oklahoma; West Charlotte, N.C., High)— Jan. 9
Safety Donovan Kaufman (Auburn; Metairie, LA, Archbishop Rummel High)— Feb. 5
Safety Kerry Martin Jr. (Akron; Charleston, W.Va., Capital High)— May 8
Defensive lineman Chazz Wallace (Colorado; Gaithersburg, MD, The Avalon School)— May 8
Transfer portal commitment breakdown by position
Quarterback— 1
Wide receiver— 2
Tight end— 1
Running back— 2
Offensive line— 2
Defensive line— 1
Linebacker- 1
Cornerback— 2
Safety— 3
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