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We continue to examine this week’s matchup with Louisville with an in depth examination of the Cardinals impact defensive players.  In case you missed it, be sure to check our Louisville skill position preview.

Defensive Line

  • Defensive End Sheldon Rankins 6’2″/303 lbs (28 tackles, 3 TFL, 3 Sacks)
  • Nose Tackle DeAngelo Brown 6’1″/308 lbs (17 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1 Sack)
  • Defensive End Pio Vatuvei 6’2″/296 lbs (11 tackles)

To run a 3-4 defense effectively, the defensive line has to be able to occupy a lot of space, and create a significant push.  This unit does just that.  Rankins is the unquestioned headliner of the group.  Pro Football Focus listed him as the 8th best returning prospect in all of college football.  Rankins will start the game lined up at end, but will routinely shift to the interior throughout the game.  Vatuvei and Brown are talented players in their own right, but do not present the type of challenge that Rankins does.

Keys to Containment

Every snap, Sheldon Rankins is going to have to be accounted for.  The line will need to adjust to him on a play-by-play basis.  Rankins has more of an interior lineman skill set, which is a good match up for NCState Left Tackle Joe Thuney.  The Pack’s offensive line will need to generate an early push for the run game and set the tone early.  Also due to the nature of Louisville’s defense I would not be surprised to see Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada run some interesting plays with unbalanced lines.

Linebackers

  • Outside Linebacker Keith Brown 6’1″/237 lbs (20 tackles, 1 TFL)
  • Inside Linebacker Keith Kelsey 6’1″/236 lbs (40 tackles, 4 TFL, 2 Sacks)
  • Inside Linebacker James Burgess 6’0″/229 lbs (34 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1 INT)
  • Outside Linebacker DeVonte Fields 6’4″/245 lbs (20 tackles, 4 TFL)

This is a versatile set of linebackers.  They all do a lot of things well.  It’s an athletic group, with pretty much all of them having the speed to get sideline-to-sideline.  This a bit of concern, as NC State likes to run sweeps and counters outside.  Kelsey is a future NFL player who flies to the ball and always makes plays.  You will hear his name called a lot on Saturday.  Burgess is a Senior who is dependable.  Fields may actually be the cream of the crop.  He is a tenacious pass rusher, and has elite size for the position.  Fields was the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year as a Freshman at TCU in 2012.

Keys to containment

Expect the unexpected.  All four linebackers are interchangeable, and they will all be blitzing at some point.  Tight Ends and Fullbacks are going to have to block well.  Whether it is Running Back Matt Dayes picking up a free rusher in pass pro, or Tight End Cole Cook sealing the edge, they are going to have to be on point.  I would expect them to continue to utilize misdirection plays in this match-up.  The Linebackers are aggressive, so if NC State can get them to commit one way and run the other, BIG lanes will open up.

The Secondary

  • Cornerback Trumaine Washington 5’10″/183 lbs (18 tackles, 2 INT, 1 FF)
  • Cornerback Shaq Wiggins  5’10″/171 lbs (11 tackles, 1 INT)
  • Safety Josh Harvey-Clemons 6’5/ 230 lbs (38 tackles, 2 INT)
  • Safety Chucky Williams 6’2″/204 lbs (16 tackles, 1 TFL, 2 INT)

This secondary has some of the best ball skills in the nation.  They are also aggressive, and can sometimes sell out for the big play.  Washington and Wiggins lack ideal size, but are good athletes.  The safeties are what stick out to me about this group.  Both have good size, and are extremely versatile.  Chucky Williams is no slouch, but Harvey-Williams is a stud.  He is huge for a Safety, but still moves well.  He was a five-star kid coming out of high school, and has lived up to the hype.

Keys to containment

Aggressive is the key word for this defense, and it continues in the secondary.  The Pack’s wideouts will have to make some plays.  Wide Receiver Jumichael Ramos could have a big game if he gets man coverage against one of their CBs.  If NC State’s Wide Receivers get separation it is imperative that they are sure handed.  Easy plays will not happen to often against this unit.

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NC State Football

Details of Dave Doeren’s New Contract at NC State

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3 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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4 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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4 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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7 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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