The NFL season is around the corner and several former NC State standouts are set to shine at the professional level. From established stars to rookies, here’s the NFL Pack pros to know entering the season.
Russell Wilson — Pittsburgh Steelers, quarterback
Russell Wilson is one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in the NFL. His resume includes winning a Super Bowl, leading the league in passing touchdowns and making nine Pro Bowls.
However, the past couple of years haven’t been kind to Wilson. After a turbulent two years with the Denver Broncos, Wilson signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers in hopes of reviving his career.
The former Wolfpack signal-caller is joining one of the most stable franchises in the league as head coach Mike Tomlin is the longest-tenured coach in the NFL. Additionally, he’ll get to play with receiver George Pickens, tight end Pat Freiermuth and running back Najee Harris.
During the preseason, Wilson appeared in two of Pittsburgh’s three games. Against the Bills, Wilson completed eight of his 10 passes but only managed 47 yards. Additionally, he took three sacks in his brief appearance. Wilson saw even less action in his start against the Lions, completing two passes for 26 yards.
While Wilson didn’t show much in the preseason, expect him to play a major role in the Steelers’ success this season, potentially bringing some life to Pittsburgh’s offense.
AJ Cole — Las Vegas Raiders, punter
Three-time pro bowler punter AJ Cole is set to punt for a struggling Raiders team. With uncertainty at quarterback and throughout the offense, having an excellent punter will be crucial for the Raiders.
Last season, Cole starred for Las Vegas. Against the Giants, he set an NFL record for the highest punt average in a single game, averaging 63.6 yards per punt. Cole also broke the Raiders’ franchise record for the longest punt, launching an 83-yard masterpiece against the Vikings. Over the course of the season, Cole proved to be the best punter in the league, leading the NFL with a net average of 45.1 yards per punt.This season, Cole is once again expected to be the NFL’s best punter.
Jakobi Meyers — Las Vegas Raiders, wide receiver
Last season, receiver Jakobi Meyers finished second in receiving yards for the Las Vegas Raiders, totaling 807 yards on 71 receptions. Meyers is paired up with receiver Davante Adams, creating one of the NFL’s better receiving duos. Meyers’ biggest challenge this season will be quarterback play, without a clear starter in place for the Raiders. Meyers will likely be catching passes from quarterbacks Gardner Minshew or Aidan O’Connell.
Meyers’ continued success in the NFL is especially impressive when noting how his career began. After going undrafted, Meyers signed with the Patriots and immediately found his way on the field as a rookie. In his second season in 2020, Meyers broke onto the scene with over 700 receiving yards — a mark he’s reached every season since. Meyers is once again set for a strong season and will be one of the Pack’s top representatives in the NFL this year.
Ikem Ekwonu — Carolina Panthers, left tackle
One of the most highly touted players under NC State head coach Dave Doeren is left tackle Ikem Ekwonu. After a strong rookie campaign, Ekwonu struggled in year two with the Carolina Panthers. Ekwonu now enters his third pro season under immense pressure to prove that he can be a franchise left tackle in Carolina.
One of the biggest reasons for optimism with Ekwonu is Panthers’ new head coach Dave Canales. Last year’s head coach, Frank Reich, turned seemingly the entire Panthers team into a chaotic mess, leading to major regression for Ekwonu. Canales will certainly have his work cut out but has the opportunity to help Ekwonu get back on track.
With free agent guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis signing with the Panthers this offseason, Ekwonu will have experienced veterans to play alongside, making his job easier. Additionally, Canales is known for his offensive prowess as the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator and should know how to put Ekwonu in the best position to succeed. With a more stable situation, this is Ekwonu’s season to prove the talent that he showcased for the Wolfpack.
Payton Wilson — Pittsburgh Steelers, linebacker
Payton Wilson fell to the third round of this year’s NFL draft where the Steelers got one of the nation’s best defensive players in college last season. Known for its tough defenses, Pittsburgh brought in a player that matches the franchise’s gritty identity. The standout linebacker is set to compete for a spot in Pittsburgh’s linebacking rotation immediately.
Wilson only appeared in two preseason games after suffering an injury but stood out immediately. In his debut with the Steelers, Wilson led Pittsburgh with seven tackles, including one for loss against the Texans. Against the Bills, Wilson recorded two tackles before exiting the game with an injury.
After being a mess at the position last year, the Steelers brought in multiple linebackers to rebuild the position. Wilson will likely be behind free agent addition Patrick Queen at linebacker. Watch for Wilson to play special teams early and earn his way onto the field.
