North Carolina State University Athletics
Hubbard Announces Addition of 14 Student-Athletes Ahead of the 2026 Season
8/12/2026 4:22:00 PM | Men's Soccer
RALEIGH, N.C. – NC State men's soccer head coach Marc Hubbard has announced the addition of 14 student-athletes to the program ahead of the 2026 season.
"We're excited to welcome a very talented Fall '26 class into a group that's coming off a national final run, while also replacing a significant core," said head coach Marc Hubbard. "Our returners have worked hard all offseason, giving us strong depth on paper. With strong returning leadership, there is a quick opportunity to blend this new group (along with five new players from January) into our family culture. We'll lean into a performance over pressure mindset as we build momentum through preseason."
Read below to learn about each new player and hear from Hubbard about what each student-athlete will bring to the Wolfpack.
Emanuel Adou | Graduate, Defender | Hamburg, Germany | Emden Kickers
Transferring in as a graduate defender after spending time playing with the Emden Kickers, who compete in the Regionalliga in Germany…Developed at Hamburg SV in the German Youth Bundesliga…
"Emanuel brings a dynamic, high-level skill set to Raleigh. Having most recently played for Emden Kickers in Germany, Emanuel will bring a great deal of quality and will be an exciting player that fits our style of play."
Brandon Bent | Freshman, Defender | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Miami FC
Freshman defender from Fort Lauderdale, Florida…Current Youth National Team Player for Jamaica U20, participating in the World Cup qualifiers…Has played 28 games for USL Championship club Miami FC…
"Brandon brings an elite background to our backline, having played with Miami FC in the USL Championship as well as representing the Jamaican U-20 NT. He's a versatile defender who brings composure and tactical awareness. We are thrilled to welcome Brandon to the Pack."
Russell Berko | Sophomore, Forward | Aylesburg, England | Mississippi College
Transferring in as a junior forward from Mississippi College…Named the Gulf South Conference Freshman of the Year…earned second team All-American honors from D2CC…appeared in 24 games and started 21 for the Choctaws…led the squad with 14 goals and 36 points on the season…
"Russell is a dynamic striker who joins us after firing Mississippi College to an NCAA D2 Elite Eight run. He's got everything we look for in the attack, and he's proven he can find the back of the net. He was named Conference Freshman of the Year with 14 goals and 8 assists, then went out and backed that up with 11 more goals this summer for Appalachian FC in USL League Two. We can't wait to have him leading our attack."
Ajani Burchall | Freshman, Midfielder | Warwick, Bermuda | Aston Villa
Freshman midfielder from Warwick, Bermuda…Former player at Bournemouth and Aston Villa…Has been selected for the Bermuda Senior National Team on numerous occasions…
"Ajani brings a ton of experience to our program. He's a Bermuda native who's already represented his country's Senior National Team in friendlies against DR Congo and Cape Verde. He's an explosive player who can carry the ball through traffic, and he's a real threat with his ability to score and create in the final third. After time at Bournemouth and Aston Villa, we believe he's going to make an impact at the ACC level right away."
Oriol Comas | Junior, Defender | Cassà de la Selva, Spain | Girona FC
Junior Defender from Cassà de la Selva, Spain…Came through the Girona FC academy system…
"We are thrilled to bring a player of Oriol's quality to the Pack. He spent the majority of his youth career with Girona FC and has gained valuable experience to make him the player that he is today. He's a tactically sharp, technically gifted center back with real leadership qualities, and he's going to bring a mature mindset and elite standards to our group."
Jake Cooley | Freshman, Midfielder | New York, New York | Cedar Stars Bergen
Freshman midfielder from New York, New York…Cedar Stars MLS Next Player…Listed as an MLS Next player to watch for 2025…Three-star Top Drawer Recruit…
"We are excited to welcome Jake to the Wolfpack family. Coming out of New York and playing for Cedar Stars, he brings an incredible work ethic and grit to our group. Jake is a highly versatile midfield with an ability to be effective on both sides of the ball."
Ollie Gofford | Freshman, Midfielder | Bracknell, England | Fulham FC
Freshman midfielder from Bracknell, England…Fulham FC Academy player…Joined the club at U9 and has played for them every step at youth level…Helped them win the Premier League Cup in May 2024…
"Ollie's an experienced, technical box-to-box midfielder who came up through the academy at Fulham, playing at every youth level and winning the Premier League Cup with them. Ollie is composed on the ball and can cover the ground in and out of possession. His style fits exactly how we want to play. He will be a strong addition to our midfield group."
Gabe Lamphere | Freshman, Goalkeeper | North Andover, MA | NEFC
Freshman goalkeeper from North Andover, Massachusetts…NEFC MLS Next Player…A Former ENCL All-American… Listed as an MLS Next player to watch for 2025…Three-star TopDrawer Recruit…Regarded as one of the premier young goalkeeping prospects in the Northeast Region…
"We are thrilled to welcome Gabe to the Wolfpack soccer family. While he is a bigger, more robust athlete with great physical presence, he is an efficient mover in goal. Gabe is a well-rounded keeper—he stops shots at a high level, contributes confidently in possession, and protects the space behind his backline. He has a high ceiling, and our staff is eager to help him fulfill his full potential in our system."
Cameron Letterlough | Sophomore, Forward | Asheboro, N.C. | Chowan University
Transferring in as a sophomore forward from Chowan University…Named the Conference Carolinas Freshman of the Year…appeared in 17 matches with 16 starts…recorded a team-best six game-winning goals…scored 15 goals for the Hawks to lead the league…
"Adding Cam gives our front line a dynamic, relentless presence. What makes him so effective is his ability to operate and threaten on both sides of an opponent's backline: he can pin defenders with his back to goal or make runs to attack space in behind. He showed exceptional quality and goal-scoring ability at the D2 level, and our staff is excited to help him bring that same instinctive tenacity to the ACC."
Adrià Muñoz | Freshman, Defender | Barcelona, Spain | Barcelona FC
Freshman defender from Barcelona, Spain…A product of Barcelona's world-famous La Masia Academy…Represented Barcelona through the youth levels…Called into first team training on numerous occasions…Has three caps for the Spanish Youth National level…
"Adria's a former Spanish youth national team player and a product of the world-famous La Masia academy at Barcelona. He's a physically gifted, powerful right back whose skill set fits exactly what we look for in that position. He's got a really high ceiling, and we're excited to help him fulfill his potential on the field for the Wolfpack!"
Erik Peña | Sophomore, Midfielder | Saltillo, Mexico | Crown Legacy FC
Sophomore midfielder from Saltillo, Mexico…
"Erik brings unique experience and maturity as he enters his first year of college soccer. Spending two and a half seasons with Crown Legacy instilled in him elite habits and a professional mindset. On the pitch, he's composed in tight spaces, and when he gets facing forward, he has the ability to progress the ball and unlock an opponent's system. We're thrilled to add him to the Wolfpack."
Malcolm Rangon | Sophomore, Defender | Lyon, France | FC Sochaux-Montbéliard
Sophomore defender from Lyon, France…Has experience playing in National 2 and National 3…
"Malcom is a French center back having played for FC Sochaux. His athleticism and defensive presence will help to bolster our backline. He reads the game well and will provide a mature presence on the pitch."
Abdou-Magib So | Sophomore, Midfielder | Paris, France | Georgia State University
Spent the spring 2026 semester at Georgia State before transferring…Played his freshman year at Old Dominion, where he appeared in 18 matches with 11 starts…Played for Bourges Foot 18 B in France and appeared in the Champions National 3 – Groupe C...
"Adding Abdou as a transfer from Georgia State provides proven experience at the collegiate level. He understands the demands of the college game, which will make his transition into our program seamless. He's a powerful player with an incredible engine to cover ground and we're excited to see his impact on the field."
Tom Wingate | Freshman, Forward | Weybridge, England | Fulham FC
Freshman forward from Weybridge, England…Had a breakout season as a second-year scholar, netting 17 goals in 25 appearances for the Fulham U18 side…
"Tom's time at Fulham is evident in how intelligent he is both in and out of possession. He brings a strong work ethic off the ball and is extremely difficult to manage inside the penalty area. He reads the game, times his movement into the box effectively, and has a real hunger to attack service. He's going to be a great fit for our program."
"This is a really talented and balanced incoming group, and I want to credit our entire staff for the work they put in to build this class. With high competition for places and a lot of versatile players, it may take some time to figure out our best fits and rotations, but that's a positive for us. If we stay focused on daily habits and our standards, this group has everything it needs to grow together and become a strong team for multiple seasons."
@PackMensSoccer // #PerformanceOverPressure
