When the NFL Scouting Combine begins tomorrow, 333 college players from across the nation will assemble at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. to show off their skills and impress the teams that will potentially add them as part of their rosters. Four N.C. State standouts will look to make their marks in the exhibition so they have the best chance to do the same on the professional stage.
The lone non-graduate of the Wolfpack NFL-hopefuls is cornerback David Amerson. After picking off an ACC-record 13 passes in 2011, Amerson underachieved this past season, only intercepting five passes in what was to be an all-around disappointing campaign for State under former head coach Tom O’Brien. However, following the 2012 season, the 6-foot-3 Greensboro native opted to become a professional rather than stay for his senior season.
Quickly becoming a quarterback’s nightmare, Amerson was able to use his size to his advantage during his time with the Pack. His 18 career interceptions are the most in school history, tied with Duke’s John Talley for third in ACC history. Amerson also managed to return three interceptions for touchdowns and record 169 tackles in his three years.
Offensive guard Zach Allen provided quarterback and fellow combine invite Mike Glennon, and current Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, with protection in his four years as a member of the Pack’s offensive line. Allen played 2,399 snaps and only allowed six sacks in his tenure at right guard.
His 2012 season was cut short when he injured his foot in the 44-37 loss to Miami on Sept. 29. Allen will be one of 58 offensive linemen to take part in the scouting combine.
Safety Earl Wolff was known as the “Heart of the Defense” and with good reason. He and Amerson were the heart and soul of State’s secondary. Wolff finished his collegiate career with 400 tackles, the fifth player in school history to do so.
Wolff has already begun his post-collegiate career with a bang, intercepting former Texas Tech quarterback Seth Doege in the fourth quarter of the East-West Shrine Game on Jan. 19. He finished with six picks in his four years with the Pack. Amerson and Wolff are two of 60 defensive backs who were invited to the event.
After only playing 10 games in his first two years, Glennon stepped into the role of starting quarterback following Wilson’s transfer to the University of Wisconsin. Since then, Glennon has shown dominance under center, completing 1,017 passes for 7,085 yards and 62 touchdowns. The 6-foot-6 quarterback had his share of misfortune with his accuracy, throwing 31 interceptions in his tenure.
That has not stopped him in the face of adversity, exemplified in the 17-16 upset of then-No. 3 Florida State on Oct. 6. His tenacity and clutch performances are what have helped make him one of the most sought-after quarterbacks in the 2013 draft class alongside West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith and Southern California quarterback Matt Barkley.
Like Wolff, Glennon was also selected to play in a college all-star game, playing for the North in the Senior Bowl on Jan. 26 opposite Florida State quarterback E.J. Manuel. Glennon finished with eight completions for 82 yards as the North fell to the South, 21-16. Glennon and 15 others will be the quarterbacks examined in the events to come. The combine will start Wednesday and conclude on Feb 26.