Dave Doeren Talks After Practice: NC State’s 2018 Fall Camp: 8/9/18

Head Coach Dave Doeren spoke with the media today after practice, as NC State continues in Fall Camp, now in full pads. Here’s what he had to say in BULLETED form.

• In full pads, you are able to coach fundamentals and technique differently. Without pads you don’t really get to see the flaws in a lot of the play. Get to see guys finish. Defensive knocking some of the balls out today. Whether ball security is where it needs to be. See who is tough. Having the heat helps.
• Players that you want look forward to the heat and full pads. If that’s not what you want, then why are you out here?
• Had a day off yesterday. Good for them physically and mentally.
• Good having Redshirt Junior Freddie Phillips back (tore his achilles in season opener last season). Worked hard. Everyone is pulling for him. Still has the yellow jersey on. Try hard guy. Tough guy. Cares a lot.
• Freshman Defensive Tackle Alim McNeil was pretty out of football shape I would say. He’s starting to come along. Starting to see him. He’s explosive. He’s got to learn what he’s doing and play with better technique. Excited about what he can do.
• Redshirt Freshman Ibrahim Kante (DE) as I mentioned the other day continues to show.
• Good having Redshirt Sophomore Shug Frazier (DT) back in practice.
• Those are the guys standing out on the D-Line (McNeil, Frazier, Kante).
• Seniors Darian Roseboro and James Smith-Williams have done a really good job leading at the end position. Senior Defensive Tackle Eurndraus Bryant is a quiet guy, and goes about his business everyday. Graduate Defensive End Deonte Holden is trying to give the guys spirit everyday as well.
• Biggest area to improve on defense is to get more interceptions. Want more. Done a nice job stopping the run and creating fumbles. Tackles for loss, sacks and plays in the backfield have been above par, just need to get more balls going in the other direction. DB’s need to make their layups when the ball hits them in the hands.
• Sophomore Chris Ingram is doing well. Going against guys like Kelvin Harmon, and being in position, yet still not stopping him can be frustrating. Made a great play today punching the ball out. Like his attitude and how he’s going about his business. Good competition at cornerback.
• Redshirt Sophomore Wide Receiver CJ Riley is more confident. He’s now two years away from a torn ACL, so that helps. He’s 6’5″, and the fastest guy on the team. Played really well the first four days, and kind of hit the wall on day 5. Was better today. Expect him to be productive this season.
• Good competition at nickelback. Still waiting for Redshirt Junior Stephen Griffin (transfer from Tennessee) to come back. Lingering ankle thing. When they have him, Freddie Phillips and Freshman Tanner Ingle feel good about those guys and that depth. Ingle has looked really good.
• Ingle has looked the best of the defensive freshman so far.