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NC State Football

Previewing NC State’s Opponent: South Carolina

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7 years ago

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There is no doubt South Carolina is going to be an improved football team in 2017. In 2016, they finished the season with a 6-7 overall record, finishing 5th in the Eastern Division of the SEC with a 3-5 conference record. Last season was the first year for head coach Will Muschamp, the team was extremely young, and also injury plagued. This year is Muschamp’s second year in Columbia, the team is one year older, they are relatively healthy, and the Gamecocks have brought in 2 Top-25 classes in the past 2 years.

Offense

During the first 6 games of the 2016 season, the gamecocks rotated between starting Perry Orth and Brandon McIlwain with inefficient results, and decided to make a bold move going into game 7 against UMASS. The decision was to not redshirt then true Freshman Jake Bentley, who was supposed to be a high school senior (even though he was 19 years old), and throw him to the wolves. He’d been impressive in practice, and they hoped he would be in game situations as well, and their daring move paid off. Bentley completed 65.6 of his passses in 7 games, threw 9 touchdowns (4 interceptions), and his passing efficiency was 139.99.  South Carolina might have lost to South Florida in the Birmingham Bowl 39-46, but Bentley put on a showcase, completing 32 of his 43 passes for 390 yards and 3 touchdowns (2 interceptions). Quarterbacks tend to make their biggest jumps from their freshman to sophomore year, and I don’t see any reason why that won’t be the case for Bentley.

The most dangerous target that Bentley will be connecting with on Saturday will be Junior Deebo Samuels. Like NC State’s Jaylen Samuels, Deebo is an all-purpose back that leads his team in receptions. In 2016, Samuels had 59 receptions for 783 yards. He becomes a running back once he catches the ball, and is extremely difficult to bring down. Samuels enters the season as a preseason All-SEC selection.

Last season the Gamecock’s entered the season not confident in any of their running backs, but they enter 2017 confident in all three of the names listed on the depth chart. Very similar to NC State’s depth chart heading into game 1, Rico Dowdle, A.J. Turner and Ty’Son Williams all have an “OR” in between their names. I think like NC State, you will not see one primary running back on Saturday, but a committee. In my opinion Dowdle is the most impressive of the three, rushing for 787 yards and 6 touchdowns last season, while averaging 5.7 yards per carry. Ty’Son Williams is a player the coaching staff is high on. He sat out last season after transferring from UNC, and they feel like they have something special in him.

Wide Receiver Bryan Edwards also was thrown into the fire last season as a true freshman, but he took full advantage of the opportunity, snagging 44 receptions for 590 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Junior Tight End Hayden Hurst put up silly numbers for a Tight End, catching 48 passes for 616 yards in 2016.

P.S. Don’t sleep on True Freshman Shi Smith. He’s earned the starting job at slot receiver, and might be the fastest player on the team.

In sum, the Gamecock’s skill position players are really impressive. What was not impressive in 2016 on the other hand was South Carolina’s offensive line. The men in the trenches gave up an audacious 41 sacks last season. The O-Line suffered a lot of injuries in 2016, and they should be stronger, bigger, and more experienced…but 41 sacks though…

Defense

While the Gamecock offense should take a big step forward in 2016, the Defense should improve marginally. This wasn’t an extremely impressive unit in 2016, giving up 411 yards per game. (Attention Nyheim Hines, Reggie Gallaspy, and Dakwa Nichols…South Carolina gave up 209 yards on the ground per game last year.)

With that being said, the Gamecocks were 3rd in the SEC in creating turnovers, stealing the ball from the other team 27 times in 2016 (15 interceptions & 12 fumbles).

One guaranteed improvement to the South Carolina defense will be the return of Skai Moore, who redshirted last season due to injury. As a true freshman, sophomore, and junior, Moore led the Gamecock’s in tackles. He was 2nd Team All-SEC in 2015. In fact, Moore is two interceptions away from owning the record for the most interceptions in South Carolina history…and he’s a linebacker.

They return Safety D.J. Smith who led the team with 80 tackles last season. They also return Senior Bryson Allen-Williams at linebacker who had 75 tackles, with 8.5 of those going for a loss.

Specialist
The Gamecock’s return none of their specialists from last season. New place kicker. New fella booting the kickoffs. New punter. New long snapper. The could be great, but not the way I would want to be entering the season.

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Matthew is Co-Owner of Pack Insider. He writes for all sports, with a focus on football and recruiting, and is in charge of business strategy. He is an NC State alum who majored in business. Matthew is also the lead pastor of The Point Church in Cary, NC.

NC State Football

Details of Dave Doeren’s New Contract at NC State

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2 hours ago

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April 26, 2024

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NC State has signed Dave Doeren to a 2-year extension, but the extension comes with a raise. Doeren’s base salary in 2023 was $5.02 million.

According to Brian Murphy of WRALSports Fan, Doeren’s salary in 2024 will be $5.5 million, and it will increase by $125,000 each year of the contract. He can earn $1.325 million in academic and athletic performance bonuses on an annual basis.

Below is a breakdown of the bonus structure.

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The bonus structure is the same as it was in his previous contract (see above), but the section entitled “Playoff” has been updated as follows:

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NC State Football

Former NC State Wide Receiver Julian Gray Commits to Liberty

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2 hours ago

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April 26, 2024

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Former NC State Wide Receiver Julian Gray has committed to play for Liberty next year.

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This past season, Gray had career highs in receptions (16) and receiving yards (170). He ranked 4th on the team in receptions, and 7th on the team in receiving yards.

Gray has served as NC State’s primary Kickoff Returner the past two seasons, averaging 24.9 yards per return. This past year, he averaged 26.0 yards per carry, which ranked 3rd in the ACC, and 11th nationally. It stands as the 5th best single-season average in school history.

Back in 2021, ON3 ranked Gray as a 4-star prospect, the #197 overall player nationally, and the #13 player in the state of North Carolina.

Gray has 2 more years of eligibility remaining.

NC State has had 23 players enter the Transfer Portal

DT Nick Campbell
WR Julian Gray – Liberty
RB Delbert Mimms III – Eastern Michigan
TE Fred Seabrough
Nickel Cecil Powell – Troy
WR Christopher Scott – Austin Peay
OL Jaleel Davis – Florida International
WR Josh Crabtree – Murray St. 
OL Lyndon Cooper – Pitt
WR Terrell Timmons – Colorado
LB Torren Wright – Temple
NT C.J. Clark – Miami
QB MJ Morris – Maryland
S Jakeen Harris – UNC
TE Cedd Seabrough – West Georgia
WR Porter Rooks – Eastern Michigan
DB Nate Evans – Delaware
LB Daejuan Thompson
RB Jordan Houston – Marshall
RB Michael Allen – UNLV
DB Darius Edmundson – UNC-Pembroke
WR Anthony Smith – East Carolina
TE Christopher Toudle – Western Michigan 

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NC State Football

NC State Gives Dave Doeren a 2-Year Extension

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2 hours ago

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April 26, 2024

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NC State and Head Football Coach Dave Doeren have agreed to a 2-year extension, keeping him under contract through the 2029 season.

There is something to be said with consistency and stability. Dave Doeren is entering his 12th season at NC State, which ties him for the 6th longest tenure in College Football.

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The details of the contract have not been released, and I will break them down when they are revealed, but his annual salary before was $5.02 million.

Here’s what the bonus structure was for Doeren and his assistants prior to today’s extension.

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NC State Football

NC State’s Current 2024 Football Scholarship Breakdown

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5 hours ago

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April 26, 2024

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Here’s a look at NC State’s current Football scholarship breakdown.

Offense

Quarterback 
Redshirt Senior Grayson McCall
Redshirt Freshman Lex Thomas
4-Star Freshman Cedrick Bailey

Transferred Out: MJ Morris
Transferred In: Grayson McCall

Running Back
Redshirt Senior Jordan Waters
Redshirt Senior Running Back Demarcus Jones
Redshirt Junior Jordan Poole
Sophomore Kendrick Raphael
Redshirt Freshman Daylan Smothers
3-Star Freshman Jayden Scott
3-Star Freshman Isiah Jones

Transferred Out: Jordan Houston, Michael Allen, & Delbert Mimms III
Transferred In: Jordan Waters & Daylan Smothers

Wide Receiver
Redshirt Junior Jalen Coit
Redshirt Junior Jakolbe Baldwin
Redshirt Junior Dacari Collins
Junior Wesley Grimes
Sophomore Kevin Concepcion
Redshirt Freshman Noah Rogers
4-Star Freshman Jonathan Paylor
4-Star Freshman Terrell Anderson
4-Star Freshman Keenan Jackson
4-Star Wide Receiver Jimmar Boston
3-Star Freshman Christian Zachary

Transferred Out – Porter Rooks, Anthony Smith, Terrell Timmons, Josh Crabtree, Christopher Scott & Julian Gray
Transferred In – Wesley Grimes

Tight End
Junior Justin Joly
Junior Dante Daniels (JUCO Addition)
Sophomore Juice Vereen

Transferred Out – Christopher Toudle, Cedd Seabrough & Fred Seabrough
Transferred In – Justin Joly

Offensive Line
Redshirt Senior Dawson Jaramillo
Redshirt Senior Timothy McKay
Redshirt Senior Anthony Belton
Redshirt Senior Zeke Correll
Redshirt Junior Sean Hill
Redshirt Junior Anthony Carter Jr.
Redshirt Junior Matt McCabe
Redshirt Junior Patrick Matan
Redshirt Sophomore Rylan Vann
Redshirt Sophomore Jacarrius Peak
Redshirt Sophomore Valen Erickson
Redshirt Freshman Obadiah Obasayui
Redshirt Freshman Kamen Smith
Redshirt Freshman Darion Rivers
Redshirt Freshman Rico Jackson
4-Star Freshman Tyler West
3-Star Freshman Robby Martin
3-Star Freshman Trent Mitchell

Transferred out: Lyndon Cooper & Jaleel Davis
Transferred In: Zeke Correll & Valen Erickson

Defense

Defensive Line
Senior Defensive End Davin Vann
Redshirt Senior Defensive End Noah Potter
Redshirt Senior Defensive End Red Hibbler
Redshirt Junior Defensive End Travali Price
Junior Nose Tackle Brandon Cleveland
Redshirt Sophomore Nose Tackle DJ Jackson
Redshirt Freshman Defensive End Isaiah Shirley
3-Star Freshman Defensive Lineman Chase Bond
3-Star Freshman Defensive Lineman Justin Terrell
3-Star Freshman Defensive Lineman Joshua Alexander-Felton

Transferred Out: Nose Tackles C.J. Clark & Nick Campbell

Linebackers

Redshirt Senior Devon Betty
Redshirt Junior Sean Brown
Redshirt Junior Caden Fordham
Redshirt Junior Jayland Parker
Junior Wyatt Wright (JUCO Addition)
Redshirt Freshman Kelvon McBride
Redshirt Freshman Kamal Bonner
4-Star Freshman Elijah Davis
3-Star Freshman Cannon Lewis
3-Star Freshman Zane Williams
3-Star Freshman Joshua Ofor

Transferred Out: LB’s Daejuan Thompson & Torren Wright

Defensive Backs

Senior Cornerback Aydan White
Senior Defensive Back Corey Coley Jr.
Senior Safety Devan Boykin
Senior Safety Bishop Fitzgerald
Senior Safety Donovan Kaufman
Junior Cornerback Devon Marshall
Junior Cornerback Rente Hinton
Redshirt Sophomore Cornerback Jackson Vick
Redshirt Sophomore Defensive Back Isaiah Crowell
Sophomore Cornerback Brandon Cisse
Redshirt Freshman Defensive Back Tamarcus Cooley
Redshirt Freshman Safety Zack Myers
Redshirt Freshman Safety Daemon Fagan
4-Star Freshman Safety Ronnie Royal III
4-Star Freshman Cornerback Asaad Brown
3-Star Freshman Cornerback Jivan Baly
3-Star Freshman Safety Brody Barnhardt

Transferred Out: Safety Jakeen Harris, Defensive Back Nate Evans, Defensive Back Darius Edmundson, Nickel Cecil Powell
Transferred In: Tamarcus Cooley, Corey Coley Jr., Devon Marshall & Donovan Kaufman

Specialist

Redshirt Junior Caden Noonkester

That’s 81 players on scholarship, with 4 available.

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