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NC State Football

NC State LB Riley Nicholson Retires From Football

Published

7 years ago

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NC State Linebacker Riley Nicholson has decided it’s not in his best interest to continue playing college football.

Nicholson was injured on the opening kickoff of the opening game of 2017 against South Carolina. The specifics of his injury weren’t revealed at the time. He was said to have an “upper body injury.”

This week it was revealed that Nicholson had suffered his second concussion within the past twelve months, and he had also suffered a couple of concussions in high school as well.

Nicholson took to Twitter to announce his retirement and share his gratitude to his coaches and to the Wolfpack fans.

The loss of Nicholson is no small loss. Entering the season, it was obvious that 3-year starters Jerod Fernandez and Airius Moore would sit at the top of the depth chart. With that being said, NC State head coach Dave Doeren made it clear that there was more competition at the linebacker position than any time before in his tenure. Heading into game one, Doeren said they looked at Fernandez, Moore, Germaine Pratt and Riley Nicholson all as starters. Nicholson is now replaced on the depth chart by true freshman Louis Acceus.

Like Acceus, Nicholson played as a true freshman, and he actually started in four games (#3 Clemson, #16 Florida State, Syracuse and  #11 UNC). He led the Wolfpack in tackles against Syracuse as a frosh. Nicholson was the top reserve linebacker as a Sophomore last year.

In two years, Nicholson will finish his college football career with 43 tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss.

In my opinion, Nicholson had a quality that many football players lack. Nicholson was instinctual. His game-speed was faster than his 40-speed. He wasn’t busy thinking on the field. He was busy reacting. Nicholson had a nose for the football. He was fearless and physical.

He will continue on as a student-coach for the NC State football team.

Nicholson will be greatly missed, and Wolfpack fans should be extremely grateful for his contribution over the past two years.

 

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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

WATCH: Hollywood Smothers Leads NC State in Rushing at the Spring Game

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1 day ago

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April 18, 2024

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Redshirt Freshman Hollywood Smothers seemingly was the 3rd string Running Back in NC State’s 2024 Spring Game a few weeks back, but at the end of the game, he had more rushing yards than any other back.

Smothers rushed the ball 8 times for 75 yards. He possesses explosive speed, as well as excellent vision.

Check out Pack Insider’s Tape of Smothers from the Spring Game.





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NC State Football

NC State Offers FCS Interior Offensive Lineman D’Angalo Titialii

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2 days ago

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April 17, 2024

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NC State offered Interior Offensive Lineman D’Angalo Titialii (6’2″/320) today. After entering the Portal, the Wolfpack were the first to offer him.

Titialii spent his first three seasons at Portland State, which competes in the FCS. This year, he was the starting Center for the Vikings, and the year before he was their starting Left Guard. Over three seasons, Titialii started in 28 of the 32 games he played in.

Titialii is an intriguing prospect, considering he can play numerous positions on the Offensive Line.

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NC State Football

NC State Offers FCS DT Elinus Noel III

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2 days ago

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April 17, 2024

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After Elinus Noel III (6’2″/230) entered the Transfer Portal yesterday, it didn’t take long for NC State to extend an offer.

He also has picked up offers from Baylor and Temple.

Noel III played last year at Texas Southern, which is in the FCS. As a Junior, he had 52 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks in 10 games.

Prior to Texas Southern, Noel III spent his first two seasons at Nicholls State, where he recorded a total of 53 tackles.

247Sports ranked him as a 3-Star prospect in the 2021 recruiting class out of New Orleans (LA).

Noel III has 1 year of eligibility remaining.

With Nick Campbell entering the Transfer Portal, NC State is in the hunt for some depth at Nose Tackle. Even if the staff were to feel confident with what they have in JR Brandon Cleveland and RS-SODJ Jackson, the Wolfpack is in need of depth at the position.

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NC State Football

WATCH: In NC State’s Spring Game, Tight End Justin Joly Showed He is Going to Be Trouble for Opposing Defenses in ’24

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2 days ago

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April 17, 2024

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It was evident NC State Tight End Justin Joly (6’3″/235) is going to be a problem for opposing defenses after his performance in the 2024 Spring Game a few weeks back. He is an extremely athletic Tight End, but he’s also bigger and more physical than I expected.

According to my calculations, Joly had 3 receptions for 56 yards and a touchdown. He started things off with a 3-yard touchdown in the corner of the end zone. He followed that up with a 16 yard catch across the middle through contact. Finally, Joly was the recipient of a double-reverse flea flicker, from RB Demarcus Jones II to WR Kevin Concepcion to QB Grayson McCall to him, for a 37-yard gain.

Joly transferred to NC State this offseason from UCONN, and he was the #2 Tight End in the Transfer Portal according to ON3. He had an incredible Sophomore campaign this past year, catching 56 passes for 578 yards and 2 touchdowns. Joly had 4 receptions for 38 yards in the season opener against the Wolfpack.

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