Guard Michael O’Connell announced today that he will be playing his final year of eligibility at NC State next season.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Michael O’Connell (@michaeloc_12) Today was the final day graduate players could enter the Portal. This past season, O’Connell averaged 5.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and […] The post Guard Mike O’Connell Announces He Will Play His Final Year of Eligibility at NC State appeared first on Pack Insider.

247’s Brad Crawford released his Post-Spring 2024 Preseason College Football Top-25 recently, and NC State moved up 1 spot to #20. ACC Teams in the Top-25 11. FSU 14. Miami 16. Clemson 20. NC State 24. Virginia Tech 25. Louisville The post NC State Sits in the Top-20 in 247’s Post-Spring 2024 Preseason Poll appeared first on Pack Insider.

Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports The former Tar Heel is an “again” Tar Heel! UNC’s quarterbacks room just welcomed a familiar face via the transfer portal. Jacolby Criswell is returning to Chapel Hill after a year at Arkansas. Transfer quarterback Jacolby Criswell, who last played at Arkansas for the 2023 season, has committed to transfer to North Carolina, per ESPN sources. Criswell started his career at UNC, playing from 2020-22, and will have two seasons of eligibility remaining. pic.twitter.com/SPhIhgIcB9— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) April 30, 2024 Criswell was a backup for three years at Chapel Hill during a period when UNC suited up its best two quarterbacks Sam Howell and Drake Maye. After Howell declared for the NFL Draft following his junior season, Mack Brown and former offensive coordinator Phil Longo were both adamant that Maye and Criswell were neck and neck for the starting quarterback job for the 2022 season. Maye ended up winning the starting nod and never looked back. With no realistic road to meaningful playing time in 2023, Criswell entered the transfer portal and went to Fayetteville, Arkansas, a mere two-hour drive from his hometown of Morrilton. Unfortunately, Criswell only managed to play in four games (17-27 passing for 143 yards, 3 passing touchdowns), as he was firmly behind starter KJ Jefferson in the Razorback pecking order. Former and “again” head coach Bobby Petrino returns to Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium next season, and he plucked Boise State quarterback Taylen Green out of the transfer portal. When a new coach brings “his guy” to campus, it’s not hard to read the writing on the wall. It was time for Criswell to make a move. UNC has a legitimate quarterback competition this summer between returning sophomore Conner Harrell and Texas A&M (and LSU) transfer Max Johnson. When redshirt freshman Tad Hudson left for the portal, it opened up a spot in the quarterback room for depth, so what better addition than somebody familiar with the program who showed plenty of arm talent and wheels during his time in Chapel Hill? Criswell is a great depth piece that can easily push both the starter and back-up. Welcome back to Chapel Hill and Kenan Stadium, Jacolby!

In our May/June 2024 issue, meet nine inspiring women, flip through our complete retirement guide, find Chapel Hill's top dentists more! The post May/June 2024 appeared first on Chapel Hill Magazine.