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Why running back Jordan Waters went from Duke to NC State football

rodd baxley, fayetteville observer
·4 min read

RALEIGH — Jordan Waters got his first college football experience because of a librarian.

Waters grew up watching a lot of Duke basketball and Clemson football on TV, but Libby Berteotti took Waters to his first college football game.

Berteotti was the librarian during Waters’ time as a student at Orrum Middle School in the early 2010s.

“It’s crazy,” Waters said Wednesday inside NC State football’s Wendell H. Murphy Center, which overlooks Carter-Finley Stadium.

“. … I worked in the library when I was in middle school and (Berteotti’s) daughter was at Littlefield (Middle School). They were cheering at the Duke-NC State game, and she asked me if I wanted to go. That was my first-ever college game: Duke vs. NC State. Now, it’s crazy that I’ll play for both.”

All these years later, Waters is set to play his fifth full season of college football. Following five years at Duke, the Fairmont native is spending his final season at NC State.

After running away from – and running over – Wolfpack players last season, Waters is ready to run with the Wolfpack in 2024.

WOLFPACK PLAYERS TO WATCH: Which NC State athletes will be the Wolfpack’s best in 2024?

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Waters had 123 rushing yards, including an 83-yard touchdown run, in Duke’s 24-3 win against NC State in 2023 at Wallace Wade Stadium. Over the course of his career with the Blue Devils, Waters became one of the top running backs in the ACC.

But during a journey that started in Robeson County and has arrived in Raleigh, what will Waters remember most about his time at Duke?

“Definitely my degree. When I was brought up, my mom always told me that football can be taken away, but no one can take your education,” Waters said.

“Especially where I’m from – you know down there not too many people get to make it – knowing that I had the opportunity to go to Duke and get an education, hopefully that education will help me take care of my family and my community back home.”

NC State an easy transfer-portal choice for Jordan Waters

Fairmont native Jordan Waters spent five years at Duke before hitting the transfer portal to join the NC State football program. The Duke graduate is excited for an opportunity to compete for a Wolfpack squad that will have high expectations in 2024.
Fairmont native Jordan Waters spent five years at Duke before hitting the transfer portal to join the NC State football program. The Duke graduate is excited for an opportunity to compete for a Wolfpack squad that will have high expectations in 2024.

Even when Waters was running wild on the Wolfpack last season, he took notice of how NC State responded from that setback in Durham.

After that loss, the Wolfpack closed the regular season with five wins in a row.

“After we played ‘em (at Duke), they went on to win nine games,” Waters said of NC State.

“They’re always up there in the 8-9 (wins). Now that the (College Football Playoff) is 12 teams, now they’ve got an opportunity to go further. So, I wanted to be a part of that.”

NC State is set to return several starters and currently has the 11th-best transfer class, according to 247Sports. Florida State (3) and Louisville (4) are the only ACC teams ahead of the Wolfpack in those rankings.

Waters was one of nine incoming transfers to chat with media members this week ahead of the 2024 season, which starts Aug. 29 against Western Carolina in Raleigh.

“The whole time I was in the portal, I knew that I wanted to stay home, so I knew (at NC State) I could play good football and stay close to my family for another year,” Waters said.

Waters listened to other teams once he entered the portal, but NC State always made the most sense.

“I don’t like that portal life – the attention or my phone blowing up,” he said with a smile. “I’m not into all that. I honestly knew I wanted to stay home, so I really wasn’t entertaining too much.”

What Jordan Waters brings as a running back for the Wolfpack

Oct 14, 2023; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils running back Jordan Waters (7) runs with the football during the first half of the game against North Carolina State Wolfpack at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 14, 2023; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils running back Jordan Waters (7) runs with the football during the first half of the game against North Carolina State Wolfpack at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-USA TODAY Sports

One of the top running backs in the transfer portal, Waters enjoyed an All-ACC season in his final run at Duke.

He had a career year, leading the Blue Devils in carries (153), rushing yards (819) and touchdowns (12). He averaged 5.4 yards per carry and added nine catches for 139 yards.

He’s ready to bring his experience and versatility to an NC State offense that had 2,034 rushing yards, 19 rushing TDs and averaged 4.3 yards per carry last season. The Wolfpack’s top two rushers were quarterback Brennan Armstrong and wide receiver KC Concepcion.

“I’ve been here for a minute, so I’ve got a lot of experience,” Waters said. “I’m trying to help them and myself at the same time.”

As for his self-scouting report, Waters is confident his physical style will be welcomed by the Wolfpack and its fans.

“Downhill running,” he said. “I had to build myself into this, making myself more physical. I’m physical, I can catch the ball, I feel like I can play all three downs. I came here to get to the next level and to show the NFL I can do it all, too.”

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

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: NC State football’s Jordan Waters goes from Duke to joining Wolfpack