NC State Freshman Earns a Pair of National Honors

RALEIGH — NC State head coach Elliott Avent has never been shy about giving opportunities to his younger players during his 29 previous seasons at the helm of the program. The latest youngster to take advantage of his coach's tendency to trust the youth movement is freshman outfielder Rett Johnson. The scrappy freshman is on a tear worthy of national recognition.

Johnson earned Midseason Freshman All-American Honors from Perfect Game, as well as a spot on the 2026 Midseason College Freshman of the Year Watchlist by Baseball America. While the Wolfpack as a whole finds itself slumping incredibly hard, Johnson is doing his best in every opportunity to keep the team afloat and give it a chance to win.

Scrappy, win

NC State left fielder Rett Johnson runs the bases during the Wolfpack's 9-2 victory over Queens University (NC) on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. | Courtesy of NC State Athletics

Despite standing just 5-foot-9, Johnson brings a powerful presence to the diamond every time he takes the field. He leads the regular contributors with a .518 on-base percentage and a .400 batting average, in large part because of his patience. However, his true value comes after he gets on base or when he puts the ball in play.

Johnson is a true speester with a willingness to get his jersey dirty if it gives his team a better chance to win. After all, he is playing for his dream school after growing up in Youngsville, N.C., just down the road from the Doak. He immediately brought a mindset built around being scrappy and helping his team win, something Avent and the other players respected from a freshman.

Rett Johnson using his speed again!

B6 | Wolfpack 3, Liberty 3 pic.twitter.com/wgvJWvs9gb
— NC State Baseball (@NCStateBaseball) April 1, 2026

"His energy is more important," NC State coach Elliott Avent said after his team's 4-2 win over Boston College. "Players love him, the energy he plays with, how he fights off two-strike pitches, the intensity with which he plays the game, the love for the game. That's probably as big as his speed."

Since the start of ACC play, Johnson has spent more time in the leadoff spot regularly, while the rest of the Wolfpack lineup shuffles all around him. He's been the lone constant in a season full of ups and downs for everyone else. The Wolfpack desperately needs more consistency in all areas, but at the plate more than the rest. He offers that and then some, leading the team in batting average and OBP since the start of the conference season.

Rett Johnson, Preston Bonn — NC State left fielder Rett Johnson greets catcher Preston Bonn at the plate after Bonn's solo home run in the 14-4 win over Lafayette on March 8, 2026. | Courtesy of NC State Athletics

The Wolfpack is at a bit of a crossroads in Johnson's first season with the program. The freshman might be the catalyst this group needs to have a turnaround in conference play after losing seven-straight games. Johnson and NC State are set to be back in action in a three-game set against Notre Dame starting on Thursday.