Dave Doeren believes in bringing in talent, and he believes in playing it early.  On Saturday night, NC State ranked 2nd out of all the FBS schools in playing freshman, playing 24 of them (10 true and 13 redshirt) against Troy.  In Doeren’s first year, 11 true freshman combined to start 18 games, and last year 13 combined for 32.

Redshirt Freshman

Notables: OT Will Richardson tied Tony Adams with 79 snaps, which was the most on the team.

OT Will Richardson (RS) – 79
QB Jalan McClendon (RS) – 15
OT Tyler Jones (RS) – 15
TE Micah Till (RS) – 13
OG Garrett Bradbury (RS ) – 7
DT Coult Culler (RS) – 6
OG Terronne Prescod (RS) – 5
WR Stephen Morrison (RS) – 3
NIK Trace Batten (RS) – Special Teams
RB Brady Bodine (RS) – Special Teams
K  Jackson Maples (RS) – Special Teams
S Kalen McCain (RS) – Special Teams
S  Dexter Wright (RS) – Special Teams

True Freshmen

Notables: Reggie Gallaspy rushed the ball 13 times for 50 yards, and missed a touchdown by a matter of inches.  James Smith-Williams stepped  in as the back up defensive end for the injured Pharoah McKever and recorded 3 tackles.  Obviously Dravious Wright’s sack was the biggest hit of the night, but Eurndraus Bryant’s tackle for loss was definitely next in line.  Nyheim Hines caught his first collegiate pass for 5 yards, and averaged 26 yards on 2 kickoff returns.

DE – James Smith-Williams – 22
WR – Nyheim Hines – 19
RB – Reggie Gallaspy – 18
DE – Darian Roseboro – 15
DT Eurndraus Bryant – 12
LB  Riley Nicholson – 7
NIK Freddie Phillips – 4
K Kyle Bambard – Special Teams
P A.J. Cole – Special Teams
LS  Tyler Griffiths – Special Teams
DE Emmanuel Olenga – Special Teams