Jamel Johnson Embraces New Opportunity in NC State’s Secondary

When Jamel Johnson arrived in Raleigh this offseason, he brought with him more than just game film and experience from Temple — he carried a hunger for competition and the confidence that comes from playing high-level football. Now, as NC State pushes through fall camp, the veteran cornerback is settling into a new home, a new locker room, and a defensive unit that he believes can be special.

“Transition’s been good,” Johnson said after a recent practice. “I feel like I came in with a lot of experience, so I’ll be able to help this cornerback room out. It’s been good — transition’s been good.”

Johnson isn’t the only newcomer in NC State’s secondary. Multiple transfers joined the Wolfpack over the offseason, which he says has helped make the adjustment smoother.

“I think it’s good because we’re all learning a new system, and we’ve had a lot of experience with it, too,” he explained. “So bringing new corners in, we can all just mesh well, learn the playbook, learn how we can play the system.”

One of those familiar faces on the defensive side is former Temple linebacker Tra Thomas, a long-time friend Johnson shares a daily commute with.

“I take him to practice every day, so I talk to him every day — that’s my guy,” Johnson said with a grin. “Coming from Temple, we’ve been talking about this for many years.”

NC State’s cornerback group enters 2025 with questions after losing key contributors from last year’s roster, but Johnson has been impressed with the competition and talent in the room.

“We’ve competed very well,” he said. “We’re still fighting right now for the starting job.”

Among those catching Johnson’s eye so far are Brian Nelson III and Devon Marshall, two players he says have stepped up during camp.

Adjusting to a third school — after stops at Charleston Southern and Temple — hasn’t been as overwhelming as it could be for some players. Johnson says the toughest part has been the training.

“The area’s nice — I like Raleigh. Gives you that home feeling,” Johnson said. “The scheme, I’m kind of used to because we played it at Temple last year, so probably the weight room, for real. I’ve done the workouts, but here it’s way more intense. Way more… you know what you want to do and how it’s done. It’s just way more organized.”

While he’s still learning his new teammates’ tendencies, Johnson’s eyes are already on the season opener against East Carolina, who he faced last year while at Temple with the Pirates winning 56-34.

“Last year at Temple, it wasn’t so good,” Johnson said. “We already got to get back, so… I’m going to get my get back.”

The Wolfpack secondary is still coming together, but Johnson sees the potential for the group to be among the ACC’s best.

“Yes, sir,” he said when asked if the unit can be elite. “We just have to keep competing every day and keep bringing our energy to practice.”

For Johnson, the key is simple: communication.

“We have to communicate — get the play calls, get the checks. Y’all got to be on the same page.”

As NC State closes in on the season opener, Johnson’s presence adds both depth and leadership to a position group eager to prove itself. And if the Wolfpack’s new-look secondary lives up to his expectations, Johnson might find his “get back” against more than just one opponent this fall.