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NC State 2018 Football Position Preview: Tight Ends

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6 years ago

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Thus far we’ve previewed the Quarterbacks, Running Backs, and Wide Receivers. As we continue previewing each position group leading up to NC State’s season opener against James Madison on September 1st, next up is the Tight Ends.

The Starter

It was somewhat of a shock to see Redshirt Freshman Damien Darden (6’3″/255) claim the starting job heading into Week 1 vs. James Madison. Both Redshirt Sophomores Dylan Parham (6’5″/236) and Dylan Autenrieth (6’4″/242) saw playing time in 2017, but Darden jumped ahead of them with his first chance at seeing the field.

Darden is bigger than Parham and Autenrieth, but he didn’t just win the job due to his size. He is comfortable with his hand in the dirt, but he’s also comfortable being pushed out wide. Darden is a solid route runner, and can put it into another gear when the ball is in his hands. He also played defensive end in high school, and has a nasty side to him, and is tough as a run blocker and pass protecter.

The coaches love Darden and think he has a high upside.

The Starter in Week 4

Don’t get it confused. Darden is the starter in Week 1, but when Week 4 rolls around, and Redshirt Sophomore Cary Angeline (6’7″/254) is available, the job is his.

Whether it has been Coach Doeren, Quarterback Ryan Finley, or Tight Ends Coach Faulkner, they haven’t been able to stop singing Angeline’s praises this Fall. Doeren said he’s probably the most versatile guy they’ve had. Faulkner said he can be as good as anybody.

Did I mention that he’s 6’7″?!?

A guy with his height, his hands, speed, athleticism and nimbleness is any quarterbacks best friend.

Angeline was the Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year at Southern Cal his Redshirt Freshman season. It’s not everyday you see a Tight End earn that honor.

I think you are looking at a future All-ACC Tight End in Angeline, and he will be a major part of the Wolfpack’s offense by seasons end.

The 2’s

You have to love the depth at the Tight End position. Both Parham and Autenrieth saw solid playing time last season as Redshirt Freshmen. Autenrieth saw 167 snaps, while Parham saw 36.

While Darden won the job in Week 1, until Angeline is eligible in Week 4, except these guys to get some burn in a rotation.

Both showed they could be proficient blockers last season, but even though they didn’t get the chance to show it last year, they were talented receivers in high school (Autenrieth didn’t record a catch, and Parham had 1).

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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.

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NC State Football

Transfer Portal Rundown: Who Transferred Out and Who Transferred In?

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18 hours ago

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April 15, 2024

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NC State Football

NC State Wide Receiver Julian Gray is Entering the Transfer Portal

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1 day ago

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April 14, 2024

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NC State Wide Receiver Julian Gray announced today that he will be entering the Transfer Portal.

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.

For the past two seasons, Gray has carried a lot of preseason hype that hasn’t ultimately materialized in the season. I’m not saying that’s Gray’s fault, or his role in the offensive scheme. It is what it is, but with the influx of talented Wide Receivers that the Wolfpack brought in through the Portal and the High School ranks, it seems like Gray if he was looking for an increased role in 2024, it probably wasn’t going to be in Raleigh.

Gray has 2 more years of eligibility remaining.

 

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NC State Football

WATCH: Wesley Grimes Steals the Show at NC State’s Spring Game with 2 TD’s

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2 days ago

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April 14, 2024

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Junior Wesley Grimes, who transferred to NC State after playing his first to seasons at Wake Forest this offseason, stole the show at the Wolfpack’s 2024 Spring Game, reeling in touchdowns of 30 yards and 90 yards.

Grimes led NC State in receiving yards and touchdown receptions in the contest.

Check out his tape from the Spring Game.

As a Sophomore this past season, Grimes caught 20 passes for 339 yards and 4 touchdowns in 12 games. As a True Freshman the year  before, he played in 6 games, collecting 4 receptions for 33 yards and a touchdown.

In all reality, Grimes is coming home. He was a 4-Star prospect out of Millbrook High School here in Raleigh. ON3, 247Sports and Rivals all ranked Grimes as a Top-250 prospect in the 2022 recruiting class, with Rivals ranking him as the #36 overall player nationally, the #4 Wide Receiver, and the #2 player in the state of North Carolina.

Back in 2021, Grimes chose the Demon Deacons over NC State, Tennessee, Duke and Louisville. On December 8th, 2023, Grimes decided to come back home and run with the Pack.

 

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WATCH: Noah Rogers Shows Off Well Rounded Game in NC State’s 2024 Spring Game

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3 days ago

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April 13, 2024

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Last Saturday was the 2024 Spring Game, and Wolfpack fans finally got to see what it was like for Redshirt Freshman Wide Receiver Noah Rogers to play in an NC State jersey.

Rogers was outstanding, with 6 receptions for over 100 yards.

Throughout the game, he showed how well rounded his game is, catching balls through contact across the middle, beating the Cornerback down the sideline, running short slants, or making things happen around the line of scrimmage.

Check out our Highlights of Noah Rogers from NC State’s Spring Game.





Rogers transferred to NC State from Ohio St. this offseason.

ON3 rated Rogers as a 5-Star prospect in the the 2023 class, and the #26 overall player nationally, the #3 Wide Receiver and the #1 player in the state of North Carolina.

Rogers was teammates with Tamarcus Cooley at Rolesville, who transferred to NC State from Maryland this offseason as well. As a Senior at Rolesville, Rogers had 39 receptions for 799 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also returned a Kickoff for a TD. As a Junior, he had 70 receptions for 1,432 yards and 22 touchdowns. He also returned a Punt for a TD.

This past season, Rogers played in 4 games (14 snaps) for Ohio State, but didn’t record any stats. He will be a Redshirt Freshman at NC State in 2024, with 4 years of eligibility remaining.

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