Kurt Roper Sees Immediate Impact From NC State Transfers

RALEIGH — Kurt Roper is heading into his second season as the offensive coordinator for NC State under head coach Dave Doeren, but he's no stranger to the role. What is different for Roper is the changing landscape of college football, which contributed to the Wolfpack's 20 new additions out of the transfer portal.

A major part of the success NC State has in 2026 depends on the chemistry and integration of those transfers, especially on the offensive side of the ball. With star quarterback CJ Bailey back, it's Roper's job to get those transfers caught up with the signal caller. So far, things are going well in spring practices, at least from Roper's point of view.

Watch Roper talk NC State spring football

Bringing transfers up to speed

NC State offense — Dec 19, 2025; Tampa, FL, USA; NC State Wolfpack running back Jayden Scott (4) is brought down by Memphis Tigers linebacker Sam Brumfield (3) in the first quarter during the Gasparilla Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

12 of NC State's 20 adds from the transfer portal are offensive players, including five new pass catchers. For Roper, that's a lot of teaching, but many of the new members of the team are either experienced or played for Power Conference programs in a limited capacity over their first couple of seasons in the sport.

"The game is different now," Roper said. "At the end of the year, there's changes in a lot of rosters in college football. So, when you get out here and you get to go full-speed on the football field, you're seeing guys really play for the first time that you've got to integrate into your system, into your offense and figure out who you've got to make plays for you."

Dec 19, 2025; Tampa, FL, USA; NC State Wolfpack quarterback CJ Bailey (11) throws a pass against the Memphis Tigers in the second quarter during the Gasparilla Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

A major part of the portal strategy was to bring players in who had existing chemistry with Bailey, whether that was from playing with him in high school in the Miami metropolitan area or against him when they were growing up. Now, Roper and Doeren are seeing some of those connections come to fruition on the NC State practice fields.

"They know each other. They communicate," Roper said. "They already have a bond and a relationship and all that. The whole key is -- Yes, they've been throwing routes with each other for a long time -- Now, it has to integrate into our system. They've got to understand our terminology and how we do it."

Nov 15, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; NC State Wolfpack head coach Dave Doeren looks on against Miami Hurricanes during the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Because of the veteran nature of the offense with returners in key positions, it has expedited the process of getting the new players up to speed. There's more comfort in the system in year two for Bailey and some of the offensive linemen. Roper's job is to put all of the pieces together and make sure they fit.

"That's what we're spending our time, trying to work out the finer details of it," Roper said. "Have they thrown a bunch of curls, hitches and gos? Yes, and now we're just trying to marry it to the language that they have to understand."