According to a source at NC State, former Syracuse linebacker E.J. Carter is transferring to NC State. The Wolfpacker reported the news on the Wolves' Den message board earlier Tuesday morning.

Carter will have three years of eligibility remaining after he sits out the 2010 season.

Carter, listed at 6-foot, 222 pounds on the Syracuse roster last season, started eight games as a true freshman last year at Syracuse and was named to the All-Big East Freshman team. Playing primarily weakside linebacker, he finished the season with 24 tackles, including four for losses and two sacks, and he was particularly strong late in the season.

In his final three games, Carter had 14 tackles. He recorded a tackle for a loss at Louisville among his three tackles Nov. 14, and a week later had three more tackles, including two for losses, against Rutgers. He finished his brief career at Syracuse with a season-high eight tackles at Connecticut Nov. 28.

Carter was rated as a two-star recruiting coming out of high school by Rivals.com. The product of Dr. Phillips High in Orlando, Fla., took official visits to Appalachian State, Middle Tennessee State and Syracuse before settling on the Orange. He recorded 125 tackles, four sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles as a senior in high school.

NC State starts preseason camp Tuesday afternoon.