ACC Football: Every team’s most important newcomers for 2021

North Carolina State Wolfpack (8-4)

The Wolfpack rebounded after a poor 2019 season. The Wolfpack solidified their identity with the one-two punch of Ricky Pearson Jr. and Zonovan Knight combining for over 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns.

This season, the Wolfpack looks to add some explosive athletes on offense and defense. These three players are sure to play early next season.

• Jordan Poole, OLB: Poole is the second-highest rated high school prospect the Wolfpack brings on campus. Poole does come into a fairly deep linebacker room, but he brings dynamic athleticism no veteran has. Poole spent most of his career playing running back in high school and was a track and field star. That speed is lacking amongst the linebackers in Raleigh. Poole still has a learning curve because of a lack of reps but can play because of his dynamic athleticism.
• Chandler Zavala (transfer), OG: Zavala is one of the more interesting transfer players. A D-II All-American from Fairmont State, the Virginia native, is a mountain of a man at 6-foot-5 and 325 pounds. Although guard Joe Sculthorpe is possibly gone to the next level, Zavala could step right in and plug-and-play this fall.
• Micah Crowell, WR: First thing you like about Crowell is the pedigree. His father Germaine played for the Lions, his uncle Angelo played for Buffalo and Tampa Bay, and his cousin played wide receiver at East Carolina. Beyond the bloodlines, Crowell is the most explosive wide receiver in the room. The Wolfpack have solid possession receivers. Crowell brings explosive playmaking that the ‘Pack do not have. Crowell does need to refine his route running skills but can come in and be a deep threat early.