Smith out for season
Just weeks before fall practice begins, cornerback Rashard Smith had surgery on his knee, eliminating any chances of the sophomore to play in the upcoming season. The secondary was a spot of worry already for the Pack heading into the season, as the team lacks experience and the Smith injury only further diminishes it, as the sophomore was penciled in as one of the starters on the defense. According to head coach Tom O’Brien, the injury is the same type of injury that former N.C. State running back Toney Baker sustained three years earlier. Sophomore Jordan Monk, who is listed as Smith’s backup, has only played in two career games.
Source: WRAL Sports
Drug charges dismissed against Wolfpack players
Senior offensive tackle Jake Vermiglio, redshirt junior defensive tackle Markus Kuhn and redshirt junior defensive tackle J.R. Sweezy, who were all charged with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, had their charges dismissed on Tuesday, as a judge ruled that the police searched the players’ apartment illegally. District Judge Keith Gregory described how the police needed to have a valid warrant to enter the apartment, deeming the arrests unlawful. “There was nothing to indicate tenants were aware of law enforcement,” Gregory said. The fourth player, redshirt junior tight end George Bryan, had his trial postponed but still faces the same charges. All four players remain on the team heading into the season.
Source: WRAL Sports
Pack picked to finish fourth in Atlantic division
The media has picked the Wolfpack to finish fourth in the six team Atlantic Division this season while down at the ACC Football Kickoff in Greensboro this week. The event, which brings together the media, all the ACC coaches and two players from each team, helps to kick off the 2010-2011 football season. State received 283 votes compared to the 565 votes given to Florida State, the team chosen to win the Atlantic. Virginia Tech once again led all teams with 50 votes to win the ACC Championship. However, coach Tom O’Brien quickly told the media at the Kickoff, that he does not put a lot into the preseason picks. “That doesn’t mean anything,” O’Brien told gopack.com. “When you guys [the media] start picking them right every season, I will start believing them. All we can do is play the games as they come along and try to win them.”
Source: N.C. State Athletics
Tight end named to Preseason All-ACC Team
Redshirt junior tight end George Bryan was named to the Preseason All-ACC team by the media Wednesday. Bryan was the only N.C. State player named to the team that had five UNC-Chapel Hill players named to it. The pick was not unexpected, as the tight end was named to the first-team All-ACC team after last season. In his first year as a full time starter, Bryan caught 40 passes, averaging 10.6 yards per catch. Also the tight end caught six touchdown passes, which tied for second on the team.
Source: WRAL Sports
