NC State has secured a commitment from ex-Auburn safety Donovan Kaufman, who stands at 5-foot-10 and weighs 204 pounds. Kaufman announced his decision shortly after visiting the Wolfpack officially.
The addition of Kaufman addresses a significant need for State in the transfer portal, as he brings experience and a proven track record to the safety position. With one year of eligibility remaining, Kaufman bolsters the team’s defensive capabilities.
Originally starting his collegiate journey at Vanderbilt before transferring to Auburn, Kaufman spent three seasons with the Tigers. In the 2023 season, he played 12 games for Auburn, starting four, and recorded 37 tackles, including 4.5 for loss, along with one sack, an interception, a pass breakup, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. His contributions in 2022 included 39 tackles, 1.5 for loss, two pass breakups, and a forced fumble in seven games. In the 2021 season, he played 12 games, accumulating 33 tackles, two for loss, one sack, one interception, three pass breakups, and three forced fumbles.
A three-star prospect from Metalrle (Louis.) Archbishop Rummel in the 2020 recruiting class, Kaufman was ranked as the nation’s No. 50 safety and the 26th-ranked player in Louisiana by 247Sports. Despite receiving over 20 scholarship offers, including from Baylor, Boston College, Colorado, FSU, and Memphis, he chose to sign with Vanderbilt.
NC State’s top three safeties from the previous season, Devan Boykin, Bishop Fitzgerald, and Sean Brown, are returning. However, Boykin’s ACL injury during bowl practice and the potential shift of Brown to linebacker leave the depth chart somewhat uncertain, offering Kaufman an opportunity to compete for significant playing time.
Kaufman becomes the 12th transfer addition for the Wolfpack in this cycle and the fourth on the defensive side, joining former Maryland players Tamarcus Cooley and Corey Coley Jr., as well as former Villanova player Devon Marshall.
The recruitment efforts for Kaufman were led by Wolfpack safeties coach Joe DeForest.
NC State, which achieved nine wins in 2023 and has maintained at least eight wins for four consecutive years, will kick off its 2024 season on Aug. 29 with a home game against Western Carolina, followed by a matchup against SEC opponent Tennessee in Charlotte at Bank of America Stadium.
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