Who does this NC State football team think it is, Clemson?
Citing an unnamed source, 247Sports.com has reported that defensive lineman Joseph Boletepeli (pictured, No. 99) has entered the NCAA transfer database. The website did note that “Boletepeli is still on the active roster for the Wolfpack and can still return to the program despite entering the portal.”
No specific reason for the decision was given, although playing time certainly played a role.
A three-star member of the Class of 2018 for NC State football, Boletepeli was rated as the No. 27 player regardless of position in the state of North Carolina. During his two seasons with the Wolfpack, Boletepeli played in seven games. Four of those appearances came this past season.
Boletepeli started the first two games of his true freshman campaign. This season, Boletepeli was a No. 2 defensive end who ultimately dropped further down on the depth chart.
Barring something unexpected, Boletepeli will have to sit out the 2020 season if he moves on to another FBS school. That would then leave him with two years of eligibility he could begin using in 2021.
Boletepeli is the third NC State football player to enter the portal this month. Jan. 7, linebacker Brock Miller announced on Twitter that he was leaving as a graduate transfer. A week later, defensive end Jeffrey Gunter was reported to be making the same move.
Over the weekend, Miller announced that he would be transferring to Boise State.
