NC State Football’s Defensive Depth Chart vs. JMU (with notes)

NC State released their depth chart for the James Madison game this Saturday. Here’s a breakdown of the Defensive Depth Chart.

Notes

• The starters on the Defensive Line had already been solidified in camp, but the name that is worthy of noting is Redshirt Junior Larrell Murchison claiming the starting role at Tackle. Also, Freshman Alim McNeil is backing him up.
• Redshirt Sophomore Nose Tackle Shug Frazier has battled injuries during camp, but has worked his way back up the depth chart, backing up Senior Eurndraus Bryant. It’s worth noting that Redshirt Freshman Grant Gibson is pushing him for that spot, with an “OR” between their names.
• Redshirt Freshman Ibrahim Kante had been moved from Defensive End to Defensive Tackle in the Spring, and was doing well there in Fall Camp, but has recently been moved back to End. He is backing up Redshirt Junior James Smith-Williams.
• Redshirt Graduate Senior Deonte Holden has battled injuries his whole career at NC State, so it’s encouraging to see him beat out Redshirt Junior Joe Babros for the #2 spot at Defensive End behind Senior Darian Roseboro.
• In the press conference today, Doeren said that things were close between Redshirt Freshman Isaiah Moore and Sophomore Louis Acceus for the starting spot at “Mike” Linebacker, but Moore was more consistent in camp.
• Redshirt Junior Stephen Griffin is back practicing, but isn’t in a position to start at Nickel on Saturday. His status for Saturday is still unknown. In an awesome comeback story, Redshirt Junior Freddie Phillips will get the start at Nickel after tearing his Achilles in the season opener against South Carolina last year. He will be backed up by Freshman Tanner Ingle, who the coaching staff has been drooling over in Fall Camp.
• Junior Nick McCloud was already locked into start at one of the cornerback positions, but Junior Kishawn Miller has snagged the other spot heading into Week 1. Doeren said things were neck-and-neck with him and Sophomore Chris Ingram, but he missed some time in Fall Camp, but Miller played every snap.
• Junior Tim Kid-Glass started 9 games at Free Safety last season, but once Redshirt Senior Dexter Wright was healthy, he started the final two games, and still remains the starter.
• It looked like Redshirt Freshman Wide Receiver Thayer Thomas would be the punt returner all Fall Camp, and he did in fact win the job.
• It was unknown who would claim the Kickoff Returner job throughout Fall Camp. A lot of players got a look, but Redshirt Senior Cornerback Maurice Trowell, the fastest player on the team (maybe tied with Wide Receiver CJ Riley), took the job heading into Week 1.