#2

Ronnie Royal III

S · NC State · Fr. · #2

Returning to NC State for 2026
This season's coverage starts August 26 — check back once kickoff hits.

Ronnie Royal III

S · NC State · Fr · #2

Limited signal — not enough coverage for a story yet.

Career Arc

HS
Recruit
★★★★
#445 national
CFB
College
NC State
2025
NFL
NFL Draft
Not drafted (yet)

2025 snapshot

Season context · Team result + system

2025NC State8-5HC: Dave Doeren · Balanced

Career stats

SeasonTeam
2025NC State49281.50.011--
Career49281.50.011--

Signature game

SIGNATURE GAME · Week 2 · 2025

W 35–31

vs Virginia

2 SOLO  ·  5 TOT

Edged out Virginia at home in a shootout.

How he plays

Play style

Plays like an extra linebacker near the line.

CFB Index positional classification

2026 Outlook

NC State

2026 Depth chart

Projected starter

Safety · NC State

Returning around him

  • 95% of 2024 offensive production back (Strong continuity)
  • 2 NC State players drafted to NFL
  • Transfer portal: -2 net (20 in / 22 out)

2026 Award watch

No preseason watch lists yet (most drop June 15 – July 15)

NC State · Last season: 8-5 · Talent rank #45 · 2026 recruiting class #49

DNA match

Player DNA

Box Safety

Lives near the line of scrimmage as a de facto extra linebacker.

S

His 2025 production profile sits closest to Jack Tchienchou’s 2024 season.

Tulane · 2024

#2

Jiquan Sanks

Cincinnati · 2024

74%
#3

Patrick Smith-Young

Old Dominion · 2024

74%
#4

Ryan Nolan

Texas State · 2024

71%
#5

Derrick Jackson

Kent State · 2025

70%

Matches Jack on

Class year
TFL rate
PD rate

Differs from Jack on

Height (lower)

Not enough data yet for this comparison.

As a freshman, his production profile tracks closest to Derrick Jackson's freshman season at Kent State (2025).

Kent State · 2025

#2

Jiquan Sanks

Cincinnati · 2024

76%
#3

Aiden Manutai

California · 2025

73%
#4

Ryan Nolan

Texas State · 2024

68%
#5

Patrick Smith-Young

Old Dominion · 2024

68%

Matches Derrick on

Tackle volume
Weight
TFL rate

Differs from Derrick on

Height (lower)

Heisman trajectory

Heisman Trajectory · 2025

Peak #10770

Final rank
#10770
Avg #10888.3
Finalist prob 0%

Peaked at #10770 this season.