NC State may have found it’s Donavan Phillip replacement with transfer Russell Berko. The young forward had a productive freshman campaign at Mississippi College with 27 goal contributions (18g/9a) in 21 starts.
This summer, he has continued his high goal production as he is leading USL 2 with 10 goals in just seven games played* for Appalachian FC.
The Wolfpack’s 2025 MAC Hermann Trophy winner, Phillip, finished last season with 21 goal contributions (19g/2a), so there are big shoes to fill in Raleigh, NC.
NC State had a strong campaign in 2025 as they made a run to the NCAA College Cup, eventually losing in the final to Washington, so expectations among the Wolfpack faithful will be high for a strong 2026. This will include transfers like Berko fitting into the group right away.
For Berko, it will help that NC State has one of the best distributors in Division I in Riley Moloney, as the fullback was second in the ACC with nine assists as a freshman in 2025.
* Stats as of 6/8/2026 according to USL 2
