North Carolina State University Athletics
2026 Football Roster
Vander Ploog
- Position:
- TE
- Class:
- Redshirt Freshman
- Hometown:
- Fullerton, Cal.
- High School:
- Troy
- Prev School:
- Oregon
Fullerton, Cal. | Troy HS | Oregon
AS A FRESHMAN (2025 AT OREGON):
• Redshirted the season, he did not see action.
HIGH SCHOOL:
• Helped lead Troy to a CIF Southern Section Division 9 quarterfinal berth
• Honors: Preseason Cal-Hi Sports third-team all-state selection
• Career Stats: Tallied over 2,200 total yards and 37 touchdowns in a three-year career.
• Senior Stats: Posted 1,148 yards and 17 touchdowns on 75 receptions while leading Troy to a 9-2 record. Tallied more than 100 receiving yards in five of the first six games of the season, totaling 10 touchdowns in that span. Caught 12 passes for 194 yards and four touchdowns (all career highs) in the win over Segerstrom.• Junior Stats: Posted first 1,000 yard season as a junior, racking up 1,047 yards and 12 scores on 61 catches. Had a season-high 161 yards and three touchdowns against Irvine.
• Sophomore Stats: Cracked the varsity lineup as a sophomore, being utilized mainly as a red-area target. Five of seven receptions as a sophomore went for touchdowns.
• Rankings: Four-star prospect according 247Sports, ESPN, Rivals and the 247Sports Composite. Viewed as the top tight end prospect out of California and No. 4 nationally at the position by Rivals, coming in as the No. 161 overall recruit in the 2025 class. Rated as the No. 10 H-back nationally and the No. 25 recruit from California by ESPN, clocking in as the No. 273 overall recruit.
• Three-sport athlete, he also played baseball and basketball. He averaged 12.5 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.4 blocks a game as a junior on the hardwood.
PERSONAL:
• Major: Communication