NC State DL Coach Kevin Patrick Breaks Down D-Line Depth Chart

We caught up with NC State defensive line coach Kevin Patrick last week, and he broke down how RS JR Larrell Murchison has claimed the #1 spot, the leaders on the line, and how they are “force feeding” FR Alim McNeil. Check out the VIDEO below, with a BULLETED breakdown underneath.

• Starting to develop some true 1’s. Redshirt Junior Defensive Tackle Larrell Murchison has really come on. Different player than he was last year. Taken a lot of pride in himself. The redshirt year really helped him a lot coming from Junior College. Really helping building some unity in the interior with him and Senior Defensive Tackle Eurndraus Bryant. He’s been going full force. He didn’t just get that #1 spot. He went and took it, which was the most impressive thing. His attack at the line of scrimmage is as good as we’ve got.
• Redshirt Freshman Defensive Tackle Ibrahim Kante weighs 250 pounds. Moved him inside. Feel like that’s the best fit for us. When he puts on some more weight, he’s going to be special player down there. He’s not scared of contact.
• Senior Defensive End Darian Roseboro is a more vocal leader. Senior Defensive End James Smith-Williams is a little bit more mild, behind the scenes, whispering stuff to the other guys.
• Freshman Defensive End Joseph Boletepeli has a very high ceiling.
• Been force feeding Freshman Defensive Tackle Alim McNeil. For a guy who has been playing linebacker and fullback his whole life, it’s taking some time. It’s a different world inside. We knew it would take some time, but I think the game is slowing down for him, and he’s able to react faster.
• Redshirt Sophomore Val Martin has some things he needs to overcome. Needs to work on his eyes. Right now the other guys are just playing better than him. He’s really a young guy. It’s really like he’s going into his Sophomore year. He’s had one year of junior college football under his belt. We have him for 3 years. He’s coming along.
• Redshirt Freshman Defensive Tackle Grant Gibson is coming along everyday. He’s pushing it in that #2 spot. Now we need to get those 2’s to push the 1’s a little bit more for the jobs in front of them.

Current Breakdown of the Depth Chart at D-Line according to Patrick:

DE – SR Darian Roseboro

DT – SR Eurndraus Bryant/RS FR Grant Gibson

DT – RS JR Larrell Murchison/FR Alim McNeil/RS FR Ibrahim Kante

DE – RS JR James Smith-Williams