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This coming week all of the coaches of the ACC will convene in Pinehurst, NC to talk about their schools and what they hope to accomplish. Each school will be represented by their head coach and two players. The two players who will be there to represent the Red & White will be a pair of redshirt seniors, QB Jacoby Brissett and DE Mike Rose. Both Brissett and Rose will be important leaders on their respective sides of the ball and key if State wants to contend for the Atlantic Division.

In the Atlantic Division there are plenty of questions swirling for perennial powers Clemson and FSU. Both of these schools have been hampered with off the field issues, with FSU’s image taking a much bigger hit. Recently the president of the university met with coaches and the team to address the seemingly endless amount of arrests and embarrassment caused by a lack of discipline. Clemson not only lost a few players to the NFL, but dismissed DE Ebenezer Ogundeko, after he was guilty of credit card fraud. Not only is Clemson dealing with these issues, but they are also concerned with getting star QB Deshaun Watson back from a torn ACL.

Conversely, NC State has had a positive offseason and are returning 14 starters and have a proven signal caller in Brissett. There is no reason not to be optimistic as the offense should be able to ride last seasons momentum into this season, especially with the talent at the running back position. The offensive line is a question on the outside, but the coaching staff has done an excellent job of building depth on the line.  Hopefully the defense can take an even greater step forward as the Pack returns 8 guys who saw lots of action a season ago.  When you mix in a couple of talented recruits NC State could be looking at one of the best defensive units they have seen in recent years.

Usually year 3 is when things start to come together for a new coaching staff as they have had the needed time to install their strategy and expectations for the program. Dave Doeren and his staff had a huge jump from year 1 to year 2, as the team went from 3-9 in 2013 to 8-5 in 2014.

Will 2015 be the year NC State Football takes front and center? We will have to wait until they reach ACC play as they have a very weak non-conference schedule. The first real test for the Pack will be October 3rd versus Louisville.

 

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NC State Football

The Pittsburgh Steelers Select NC State’s Payton Wilson with the 98th Pick in the 2024 NFL Draft

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7 hours ago

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April 26, 2024

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The Pittsburgh Steelers have selected NC State Linebacker Payton Wilson in the 3rd Round of the 2024 NFL Draft, with the 98th overall pick.

How on earth Wilson was the 98th player drafted is beyond me. Winner of the ACC Defensive Player of the Year. Winner of the Butkus Award, given to the best Linebacker in College Football. Winner of the Bednarik Award, given to the best Defensive player in College football. Unanimous All-American. 3rd best PFF Grade by a Linebacker in 2023. Fastest 40-time by a LB at the NFL Combine.

Yet, he was the 7th Linebacker taken in the 2024 NFL Draft. Absurd.

With that being said, I can’t think of a more fitting place for Wilson to play. He was born to play in the Black and Gold. The Steelers are a blue collar club, who carry a long history of defensive greatness. Wilson plays with reckless abandon, and with his hair on fire, and that’s exactly what you expect out of a Pittsburgh Linebacker.

Maybe I’m showing my cards here…I’m a Pittsburgh Steelers fan…and I can’t believe Payton Wilson will be wearing the Black and Gold this Fall.

Congrats Payton!

 

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NC State Football

Details of Dave Doeren’s New Contract at NC State

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16 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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17 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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17 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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