With the NC State football season opener against William & Mary just around the corner, it’s time to take a look at the Wolfpack’s depth chart. After losing quite a few starters from last year, the upperclassmen with experience will need to step up and show some leadership.
Additionally, a number of young players and some players that have been plagued by injuries will need to showcase their talents this season. They will need to so not only for their sake, but more importantly, they will need to do so in order for this team to be successful.
One position group that includes a couple of these key players is the wide receiving corps. It took a major hit when last year’s leading receiver, Jumichael Ramos, sustained a preseason injury that forced him to medically redshirt this season. Now senior Bra’lon Cherry, who has started a total of 16 games throughout his career, will need to have a big season help NC State’s passing offense. He’s not alone though; redshirt sophomore Stephen Louis and sophomore Nyheim Hines will also need to contribute in the other two starting receiver spots. As a matter of fact, fans should look for Hines and Cherry to make contributions in more ways than one, as they are responsible for returning kickoffs and punts, respectively.
Not only does Hines boast the 10th most career kickoff return yards after just one season, but he also earned All-America honors in the 4×100-meter relay for NC State’s track and field team this spring. To top that, he earned himself a spot on the watch list for the Paul Hornung Award — an award given annually to college football’s most versatile player. So, Hines should be fun to watch this season no matter where he is lining up, and hopefully his explosive plays will result in success for the team.
Another position group that includes players that will need to prove themselves this season is the offensive line. While right guard Tony Adams has an impressive 22 starts under his belt, not all of his fellow linemen have that much experience. At the all-important left tackle spot is redshirt sophomore Tyler Jones. Jones saw time at left guard and right tackle last season during his six starts, and he played every snap of the last three games of 2015, so that should prove to be helpful as he adjusts to his full-time starting role. Starting next to Jones at left guard is redshirt sophomore Garrett Bradbury, and in the center is redshirt graduate transfer from South Alabama, Joe Scelfo.
Scelfo is new to the Wolfpack but he certainly knows how to play, as he earned all-conference honors last year. Starting at right tackle is redshirt sophomore Will Richardson, and something interesting to note is that the second string right guard spot is Raleigh native and walk-on Peter Daniel. Whether or not these young men can play well as a unit will be a major key for the Wolfpack’s success this year.
On the opposite side of the football, and opposite in the sense that there is much less uncertainty, is the defensive line. Arguably the deepest group on the roster, there is talent and experience at every position on the Wolfpack’s defensive front. Junior Kentavius Street, who played inside last season, is back playing end this year, with fellow junior Bradley Chubb at the other end position.
Chubb will wear Wolfpack legend Mario Williams’ jersey No. 9 this season – only the most deserving players get this honor, so fans should be excited. Manning the two interior spots this year are juniors Justin Jones and B.J. Hill. However, sophomore Eurndraus Bryant reportedly did well in camp, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see him get his fair share of playing time this fall.
Linebacker could be another strong position for the Wolfpack this season, provided that the starters remain healthy. Starting at middle linebacker is Jerod Fernandez, who led the team in interceptions last season, and playing at weak side linebacker is Airius Moore, who led the team in tackles last season. Fernandez has a total of 18 starts and Moore has a total of 17 starts; look for them to provide key leadership on defense.
NC State’s secondary lost some valuable experience in Hakim Jones and Juston Burris, but thankfully, graduate player Jack Tocho, redshirt junior Josh Jones and junior Mike Stevens are proven starters with experience. Jones made the switch from strong safety to free safety this year, while junior Shawn Boone will start at strong safety this year. Tocho and Stevens will start at left and right corner respectively. Filling out the nickel spot again is Dravious Wright, who fans may remember for his electrifying hit on Troy’s quarterback last fall.
Last but not least, there is NC State’s offensive backfield. Expect another big year from the do-it-all junior, FB/TE Jaylen Samuels. Offensive coordinator Eli Drinkwitz is excited to maximize Samuels’ potential in this new up-tempo system the Wolfpack will run this year. Matt Dayes should also have another big year at tailback considering that he was on pace for a 1,000-yard season before his injury last fall.
Two starting positions on the roster have yet to be decided. The placekicker will either be sophomore Kyle Bambard or graduate transfer Connor Haskins from UNC-Pembroke.
The starting quarterback will either be redshirt sophomore Jalan McClendon or redshirt sophomore and Boise State transfer Ryan Finley. The battle for the starting job was initially between McClendon and redshirt freshman Jakobi Meyers. However, Meyers has been moved to WR, and Finley’s experience with Drinkwitz’s offense may have given him an advantage. The NCAA granted Finley another year of eligibility, which means he and McClendon both have three years left. Therefore, these first few games could play a major role in determining who the Pack’s signal caller will be for the next few years.
As a fan of the Wolfpack, no matter how you look at it, Thursday night’s game will help settle some of the debate this depth chart has created.
