Game log · Week-by-week
2026 season · 1 game
| Wk | Opp | CAR | YDS | AVG | TD | LONG | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wk 2 | W 73-0vs Richmond | 2 | 52 | 26.0 | 0 | 51 | Season-high 52 yds |
| Total | 2 | 52 | 26.0 | 0 | 51 |
#14
Jonathan Paylor
Junior running back for NC State. 2026: 1 game with a box-score line.
5′9″ · 182 lb · Burlington, NC · Cummings
Returning to NC State for 2026
The numbers
52
rushing yards · 2026
26 per carry
1 game into 2026 so far -- Best game: 52 rush yds, vs Richmond
His career numbers, season by seasonThe story
3 running back for NC State. 2026: 1 game with a box-score line.
- Signed as a 4-star recruit to NC State in 2024.
Buzz vs Tape
Fans hotter than the country
His own fans read him warmer than the wider college football conversation does — a gap of 24.5 points in belief.
24.5own fans
0national conversation
NC State Football fans finally get the update they've been waiting for: Jonathan Paylor is cleared. Will Paylor’s elite speed and versatility make him a game-changer for NC State’s offense? Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode…
In Their Words
366 windows · 2026 fan posts
jonathan×81.0paylor×133.6doeren×35.8ended×41.0highest×21.9coming×11.0
Jonathan Paylor
He has spent two seasons in the NC State backfield. The receipt: 52 rush yds against Richmond — Week 2, 2026.
52 RUSH YDS · 0 RUSH TD · 2 CARRIES
Low coverage — composed from the verified record.
- season totals
- seasons on the roster
- game log
His career
2024
- Signed with NC State4-star out of Hugh M Cummings
Career arc
HS
Recruit
★★★★
CFB
College
NC State
NFL
NFL Draft
—
2026 snapshot
Season context · Team result + system
2 seasons under Dave Doeren — 7-8 over that span.
2024NC State6-7HC: Dave Doeren · Balanced, slow tempo
2026NC State1-1HC: Dave Doeren · Run-leaning, slow tempo
Where this profile ranks vs the RB cohort
Box-score percentiles
Elite: yards / carry (100th percentile). Strength: long run (80th percentile). Concern: rush yards (0th percentile).
Box-score rates (5)
Percentiles versus same-position peers with enough snaps this season, based on box-score rates.
Splits & context
Splits
Per-game splits
Through 1 game: 52.0 YDS/g, 26.0 YPC, 0.0 TD/g — splits start at 3 games.
Supporting cast · Scheme
Staff and system around the player
Head Coach
Dave Doeren
Scheme reads (pass share, tempo, sack rate) need at least 3 team games — 2 games in so far.
Awards
Player standing · 2026
Backup
On the two-deep and pushing for snaps.
Roster2-deepStarterRecognizedEliteApex
Career stats
Signature game
SIGNATURE GAME · Week 2 · 2026
W 73–0
vs Richmond
Game log
How he plays
2026 Outlook
NC State
2026 Depth chart
Projected starter
Running back · NC State
Returning around him
- 60% of 2024 offensive production back (Solid 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 #32 · 2026 recruiting class #49
Background
AS A FRESHMAN (2024): • Saw action in three games: Western Carolina, Tennessee and in the bowl game vs. ECU. • Speedy young player who joined the Pack in June of 2024. HIGH SCHOOL: • Career Stats: Totaled 3,000 all-purpose yards at Hugh Cummings High School. As a Junior: Was prolific during his 1...
The backfield · NC State
- #1Jayden Scott595 rushing yards · 2025
- #7Davion Gause258 rushing yards · 2025
- #25Darius Johnson10 rushing yards · 2025
- #26Isiah Jones1 game · 2026
- #14Jonathan Paylor1 game · 2026
4 more on the roster · NC State team page
Stats from CFBD · ESPN · fan discourse. Every figure computed from source tables — not invented. Methodology