Plagued by countless injuries throughout the duration of the season, State currently sits on a precarious but nevertheless a respectable 4-3 record. This unit has been playing exceptionally well as of late; but like any other team, State has experienced its share of ups and downs during the course of the year. Just three short weeks ago, disillusionment permeated all over campus as State fans witnessed the Wolfpack suffer their third loss of the season to Georgia Tech.
Following the game, many fair-weather fans even became apathetic with the remainder of the year, implying that the season was a lost cause. However, this resilient N.C . State football team has been able to head back in the right direction ever since. Much of the team’s credit is due to a young man by the name of David Amerson .
Amerson , a sophomore from Greensboro, has quickly emerged as a shutdown cornerback for State and is making a name for himself nationwide as one of the most prolific playmakers in college football. Already racking up eight interceptions, he leads not only the ACC but the NCAA in takeaways, as well.
”So far, I think I’m doing a pretty good job,” said Amerson . “I have a lot of things that I need to work on to get better at. But right now, I think I’m doing pretty good.”
Mike Reed, the defensive backs coach for State, remained very straightforward when expressing his satisfaction with Amerson’s production.
“He has worked hard,” said Reed. “That’s what happens when you work hard. You get interceptions and you get plays. And I’m glad he’s making plays.”
Originally recruited as a safety while attending Dudley Senior High School, Amerson was able to successfully transition to corner during his freshman year at State. Having acquired immense experience playing both positions in the secondary, Amerson has undoubtedly sharpened his defensive IQ.
“I try to mix it up a lot,” said Amerson . “Last year, coming from safety; it was a big adjustment playing corner and learning how to get used to it. This year, I feel a lot more fluent”.
In NCSU’s victory over Central Michigan just two weeks ago, Amerson recorded two interceptions thrown by the Chippewa quarterback, Ryan Radcliff. His second takeaway was perhaps the more significant of the two.
With 5:48 left in the fourth quarter and the Chippewas’ threatening to score while in the red zone, Amerson dropped back into zone and ultimately prevented Central Michigan from narrowing State’s lead down to only seven. When asked about his late game interception, Amerson said that he attempted to bait the quarterback in making an ill-advised pass by disguising his coverage.
“They tried to hit us with a star route that we went over all week in practice,” said Amerson . “I acted like I was jumping the flat route. Then, I ran back to the seven and it was right there.”
Not surprisingly, Amerson would later be recognized as the ACC’s defensive back of the week following the Central Michigan game.
On Saturday, Amerson proved to be “Johnny on the spot” yet again, tallying in his seventh and eighth interception of the year. He has now tied State’s single-season interception record, set by Art Rooney in 1937. With five games left on the 2011 schedule, the prospect of Amerson breaking the school record is beyond feasible.
In the past year and a half, Amerson has been able to mature into a well-polished, premier cornerback and will only continue to improve during his career at State.
