NC State Sophomore linebacker Jerod Fernandez is all business.  He led the team in tackles during the regular season with 76, and earned Freshman All-American honors (1st Team Phil Steele, 2nd Team Athlon, and CFN Honorable Mention).  But he doesn’t care about that stuff.

“I just got to go out there and keep playing man,” said Fernandez. “I don’t feed off of that.”

When I asked him what his personal goals were for this year.

“Do better than I did last year.” said Fernandez

Fernandez started at Middle Linebacker in 9 of the 12 games that he saw action in last season.  Airius Moore started in the middle the other 4 games as a true freshman.  The NC State coaching staff thought that both of them were too good to compete for the same position, so they have moved Moore to the Will linebacker position.  The Wolfpack have a unique situation where they have two players on the field starting this season that have played middle linebacker and called the defense.

“We both have that experience from last year.  Airius is a great learner.  He’s really smart,” said Fernandez.  “If he doesn’t know anything, I help him out.  If I don’t know anything, he helps me out.  We both kind of feed off of each other.”

Fernandez is in the middle of a defense that didn’t post amazing numbers last year, but finished the season with a statement.  In the last 5 games of 2014, the Pack defense allowed just 201.4 passing yards per game, and held quarterbacks to a measly 49.4% completion percentage.

“I think we look pretty good,” said Fernandez. “I think we have the potential to be a top tier defense in the ACC.”