2023 College Top 25 Preview: No. 25 North Carolina State

Last season: 36-21 (14-15 in ACC), missed NCAA Tournament
Final ranking: NR
Coach (record at school): Elliott Avent (962-571, 26 seasons)

The good news: NC State will be happy to move past the end of the 2022 season, when it was stunningly omitted from the NCAA Tournament field, and turn to 2023. The Wolfpack last season were hit by a couple key injuries that might have led to a different ending if they’d been avoided. Now, at least, Opening Day starter Sam Highfill has worked his way back from injury and fellow righthander Matt Willadsen is back from offseason hip surgery. Along with Logan Whitaker, that trio gives NC State an experienced rotation. It also has depth in the bullpen, led by Justin Lawson and newcomer Rio Britton (Oregon). Offensively, NC State returns five regulars, including leading hitter LuJames Groover III and veteran outfielder Noah Soles.

The bad news: NC State has some big holes to fill in its lineup. Freshman of the Year Tommy White transferred to Louisiana State after hitting 27 home runs, a program record. Devonte Brown and J.T. Jarrett, consistent starters in recent seasons for the Wolfpack, both have graduated and Josh Hood was drafted in the sixth round. To reset its offense, NC State hit the transfer portal hard. Carter Trice, the 2021 Conference USA Freshman of the Year and a USA Baseball Collegiate National Team veteran, arrived in Raleigh, along with Trevor Candelaria and Parker Nolan, a pair of graduate transfer outfielders from Davidson. That group, along with some exciting freshmen like slugger Eli Serrano and speedster Michael Gupton, should keep the Wolfpack offense dangerous, even after some tough losses.

Player to know: LuJames Groover III, 3B.

Groover last year transferred to NC State after spending his freshman season at Charlotte. He made an instant impact in Raleigh, hitting .364/.440/.568 with 10 home runs and 16 doubles to lead the Wolfpack in batting and doubles. After mostly playing first base last season, Groover has moved across the diamond to third base, where he’s shown solid tools. If he’s able to handle the hot corner, it would lengthen the NC State lineup and make him an even more exciting prospect for pro scouts.

Path to Omaha: If Highfill and Willadsen are able to return to their top form, NC State could be one of the most complete teams in the ACC. The Wolfpack offense will have to adjust without the gravitational pull of White in the heart of the lineup, but they combine depth with experience and hitting has never been a problem for the Wolfpack under Avent. Consistency has been an issue for NC State over the last two seasons and finding it in 2023 will be important, but at its best, NC State should have the talent to compete at the top of the conference.