Elite FCS Linebacker Attracts NC State Football Attention
Idaho sophomore linebacker Jaxton Eck entered the transfer portal on Monday, two days after his father and head coach, Jason Eck, decided to leave the Vandals by accepting the New Mexico job. And on Tuesday, NC State football head coach Dave Doeren and his staff swiftly entered the fray with an offer to the 6-foot-1, 225-pound formidable run stopper.
ALSO READ: Wolfpack Earns Transfer Wins on Consecutive Days
Jaxton Eck appeared in 12 games as a promising unrated freshman out of Brookings High School (S.D.), tallying 37 tackles for the 9-4 Vandals. This season, he recorded 134, including 3.5 for a loss across his 14 outings on a 10-4 squad, adding one interception, one pass deflection, and even one kick return for 17 yards en route to earning All-Big Sky First Team recognition.
Thankful to receive an offer from NC State! pic.twitter.com/76JXjotE27
— Jaxton Eck (@jaxtonjay) December 17, 2024
His versatility while developing and starring under his dad's command, which ended in the FCS quarterfinals at the hands of Montana State on Friday night, has also led to offers from Western Michigan, Michigan State, Stanford, Coastal Carolina, and UMass since he entered the portal this week with two years of eligibility remaining.
Thus far, the NC State football coaches have landed two transfers. Meanwhile, they've lost 12 members of the 2024 roster to the portal.
The veteran additions in Raleigh for next season, joining at least 19 Wolfpack newcomers from the 2025 recruiting trail, are both offensive linemen in former North Carolina A&T guard/center Brock Stukes and Utah State tackle Teague Andersen.
ALSO READ: State Nabs Promising 300-Pounder Teague Andersen
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Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of NC State Wolfpack on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining NC State Wolfpack on SI in 2024, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.