N.C. State’s Cody Hardy and Justin Joly celebrate following a Wolfpack touchdown during the first half against Campbell on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
The NFL Draft is one month out, and scouts from all 32 teams had a chance to get a look at eligible players in one of the final opportunities before franchises begin making decisions.
N.C. State hosted its annual Pro Day on Tuesday for about 20 players to show their skills and, hopefully, catch the attention of professional teams.
In addition to pro scouts, friends, family members, agents, coaches and program alumni attended in support. The Wolfpack also hosted a second pro day for players from smaller schools, including N.C. Central, Lenoir Rhyne and Winston-Salem State.
N.C. State tight end Justin Joly and cornerback Devon Marshall are two favorites on NFL draft boards, but several players, including outside linebacker Cian Slone, had solid performances.
“It’s the last time I get to see them do something athletic on my campus. It’s kind of a finality of sorts, and a stepping stone for them; an accumulation of a ton of hard work and a dream,” N.C. State head coach Dave Doeren said between drills. “I know there’s a lot of anxious guys trying to figure out which 32 teams might give them a chance, and hopefully all of them do well today.”
Joly thought it went well for himself and his teammates, all of whom hope to get a phone call from the pros.
The senior tight end received an invitation to the NFL Combine last month but did not perform any testing or athletic drills due to a minor injury. He performed in every event, except the 40-yard dash, at Pro Day, citing another minor injury. Joly said he wouldn’t be able to give his best effort in the event but felt confident competing in the others.
Despite skipping that drill, Joly said he’s received positive feedback from scouts and feels like he showed his versatility and hopes teams see that. Making the NFL is something he and his teammates have dreamed about their whole lives.
“This is something that you tell yourself as little kids,” Joly said. “Some people believe in you, some people don’t, but as long as you’ve got faith in yourself, you’re capable of doing it. I feel like I’m living through that.”
Joly transferred to N.C. State from Connecticut in 2024 and played two full seasons in Raleigh. He was considered one of the top tight ends in the nation through his two years.
He finished with 1,129 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns in his Wolfpack career. In 2025, Joly’s overall yardage dropped to 468 yards — roughly 200 yards fewer than last season — but he scored seven times, which was the most touchdowns in a single season during Joly’s career.
The senior recorded a receiving grade above 72 in every season, according to Pro Football Focus. This year, he ranked No. 8 in overall offense (76.4) and No. 2 in the ACC, behind his teammate Cody Hardy, who also participated in Pro Day.
“I think it helped me a lot,” Joly said of his decision to transfer. “I think I leveled up. I was more mature. I became a better person, better player. I’ve met so many people, and, because of them, I am who I am today.”
N.C. State defensive back Devon Marshall (6) breaks up the pass intended for Florida State wide receiver Duce Robinson (0) during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Florida State at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
‘As confident as ever’
Marshall, a cornerback, is also a player receiving interest from teams for his efficiency in the secondary. He said his day went well, though there are things he’d like to improve, and was satisfied.
The senior had a relatively quiet career until his explosive performance in the Wolfpack’s 21-11 win over Florida State on Nov. 21.
He recorded two interceptions and six pass breakups in the win, including four defended passes in the first 15 minutes and 43 seconds. Marshall’s first interception led to N.C. State’s first touchdown of the night.
While Marshall did not receive All-ACC honors, he felt like it was a potentially life-changing performance.
“I was able to put my name out there,” Marshall said. “(The game) was on national TV that day. … That was the best game of my career. I would say ever since then, I feel as confident as ever.”
Marshall attended N.C. State for two seasons after spending his freshman and sophomore years at Villanova. He finished his Wolfpack career with 83 tackles, 23 pass breakups and four interceptions.
The senior said he is approaching the draft with the same underdog mindset he had in college. He’d like to hear his name called, but wants a chance to earn a spot more — even if it’s as an undrafted free agent.
“I’m always gonna have to prove people wrong,” Marshall said. “I’ve always been an underdog. It’s not just not gonna change for the NFL. It doesn’t matter what I did in the season. Still gonna have to work my way to get it to where I want to be.”
N.C. State’s Cian Slone (8) celebrates stopping Georgia Tech running back Jamal Haynes for a loss during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Georgia Tech at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Linebacker shows versatility, explosiveness
Slone, while he was only with the program for one season, used his time to improve his game. It showed on Tuesday.
The linebacker had two of the best vertical jumps and broad jumps of his teammates. Slone finished with a 35 ½-inch vertical and a 10-foot-1 broad jump, numbers he was hoping to reach.
“I was very happy with that, and hopefully I showed the scouts that I’m an explosive football player,” Slone said.
Slone overcame injuries in high school before playing at the junior college level and Utah State. He transferred to N.C. State for his final year. The linebacker said he still loves Utah State but believed transferring would give him the best chance to reach the next level, citing the opportunity to play against Power Four opponents and gain additional position-specific film.
In one season with the Wolfpack, Slone finished with 61 tackles, 1.5 sacks, a pair of defended passes and one fumble recovery.
He has also received positive feedback from scouts, Slone said, citing his positional flexibility and experience playing various schemes.
“He’s a great young man. There’s a bunch of them in the last three or four years we’ve had just for one year,” Doeren said. “His ability to impact the program and be a great teammate, become a captain, says a lot about what he meant to the program.”
The NFL Draft is scheduled for April 23-25 in Pittsburgh. Players expect to continue pre-draft workouts and meet with interested teams before the three-day event.