A new year has arrived, and it’s time to look at some athletes who could thrive for the NC State Wolfpack in 2024.

NC State’s wrestling, cross country and tennis teams were among the teams to provide championship-winning memories in 2023. Several more are in position to earn a trophy this year, including a top-10 women’s basketball squad.

Representing five sports, here’s a look at 10 NC State standouts who are primed to make headlines in 2024 as the leaders of the Wolfpack on campus.

DJ Burns, NC State basketball 

From the minute Burns arrived on campus, he’s been a fan favorite in Raleigh. Kevin Keatts joked that the Wolfpack big man could end up being the mayor. After averaging 12.5 points and 4.8 rebounds last season to help NC State return to the NCAA Tournament, Burns has similar numbers this year. In his final run with the Pack, he’ll try to help the program do even more damage this season.

KC Concepcion, NC State football 

Concepcion was the primary playmaker for the Wolfpack in his first season. The wide receiver had 839 yards and 10 touchdowns as one of the top freshmen in the nation. After ending the year as the ACC Rookie of the Year, Concepcion will try to take the Wolfpack to the next level as a sophomore.

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Jacob Cozart, NC State baseball 

According to MLB.com, Cozart is 80th in the latest 2024 prospect rankings. An All-ACC catcher as a sophomore, Cozart had a .301 batting average with 42 RBIs and 26 extra-base hits, including 10 home runs. He also had a .992 fielding percentage behind the plate. NC State is a top-25 team entering the 2024 season.

Dominic Fritton, NC State baseball

An All-ACC pitcher as a freshman, Fritton is expected to be one of the top left-handed hurlers in the nation this season. He posted a team-best 3.59 ERA with three wins, three saves and 75 strikeouts in 62 ⅔ innings. He also limited opponents to a .211 batting average.

Trent Hidlay, NC State wrestling

A redshirt senior, Hidlay is a four-time All-American and three-time ACC champion. He’ll look to add to those totals in his final season with the Wolfpack. In addition to his impressive run on the mat, Hidlay is a four-time academic All-American.

Aziaha James, NC State basketball 

The junior guard is having her best season yet for a top-10 team. James is averaging 14.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. After averaging 5.5 points in her first two seasons, James has reached double-digit points in 12 of 15 games.

Grayson McCall, NC State football 

After leaving Coastal Carolina as one of the program’s all-time greats, McCall arrives at NC State with a chance to make an instant impact as the Wolfpack’s starting quarterback. A three-time Sun Belt Conference player of the year, McCall completed 69.9% of his passes for 10,005 yards and 88 touchdowns in five seasons with the Chanticleers.

Dennis Parker, NC State basketball 

Kevin Keatts has made a living in the transfer portal the last few seasons, but Parker should give NC State fans some familiarity in the next few years. The 6-foot-6 freshman wing is averaging 7.3 points and 4.4 rebounds, but he’s reached double-digit points in two of the last three games.

Saniya Rivers, NC State basketball 

After playing sparingly at South Carolina, Rivers has become a standout for the Wolfpack. She’s averaging a career-high 13.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 2.0 steals per game as a junior. Earlier this season, Rivers dropped a career-best 33 points in a win against UConn.

Emily Shepard, NC State gymnastics 

A graduate student, Shepard has racked up honors in the East Atlantic Gymnastics League. The Wolfpack’s first two-time gymnast of the year, Shepard recorded a team-high 34 podium finishes last season, including 15 with medalist honors.

Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on X/Twitter.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: KC Concepcion, other NC State athletes to watch in 2024