Thus far we’ve previewed NC State Offense: Quarterbacks, Running Backs, Wide Receivers, Tight Ends, and the Offensive Line.

Earlier today, we began previewing the Wolfpack Defense with the Defensive Ends. As we continue previewing each position group leading up to NC State’s season opener against James Madison on Saturday, next up is the Defensive Tackles.

The Starters

Senior Nose Tackle Eurndraus Bryant (6’1″/330), otherwise known as “Big E”, was a no doubt starter heading into 2018. He got a lot of quality snaps as a Junior last year behind Justin Jones and BJ Hill, logging 2.5 tackles for loss and 2 sacks in 303 snaps. “Big E” may weigh 330 pounds, but he was able to sack Lamar Jackson twice during his Sophomore season. Don’t let Bryant’s size fool you. He’s extremely athletic for his size, and always has been, even when he weighed 350 in high school. He played for the baseball team in high school, held down left field, and led the team in batting average (.490).

Bryant is naturally a little bit more mild mannered, and quiet, but as a Senior, he’s had to push himself to be a tad bit more vocal as a leader. He flashed a lot in a small sample size over the years, and I think he will be the gap filler for this years Wolfpack Defensive Line.

Redshirt Defensive Tackle Junior Larrell Murchison (6’3″/291) is a name you might not be used to, but it’s a name you need to get to know. Murchison enrolled at NC State in June of 2017, after playing two years of Junior College at Louisburg College (Louisburg, NC). He was set to play football at Winston-Salem State out of high school, but his SAT scores weren’t high enough. Murchison turned over a new leaf at Louisburg, earning a 3.3 GPA, and earned Junior College All-American honors after a second season that included 17.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. At this point, schools much larger than Winston-Salem State came calling. After originally committing to Ole Miss in January of 2017, he then proceeded to also pick up offers from Georgia and Texas, and took official visits with them. He then took his official to Ole Miss, and decommitted shortly after. Murchison took one last official visit, and it was to NC State, and it sealed the deal.

Murchison redshirted last season in Raleigh, and it made all the difference. Unlike Bryant who has lost weight, Murchison has put on 15 pounds. He’s a different player than he was last year, and he was extremely strong in Fall Camp. D-Line coach Kevin Patrick said that Murchison didn’t just get the job, but took it.

The 2’s

Redshirt Sophomore Nose Tackle Shug Frazier (6’3″/318) was expected to be starting alongside of Bryant to start the 2018 season, but it hasn’t worked out that way for him. In a big part, that’s because Frazier missed much of Fall Camp due to injury. As a result, Murchison is starting beside Bryant, and Frazier is listed as Bryant’s backup.

Frazier saw the field a good amount as a Redshirt Freshman, logging 223 snaps.

He chose NC State over offers from the likes of Alabama, Georgia, Miami, Ohio St and others.

Frazier is back practicing again, and when he gets his stamina back, he’s going to push Murchison for that starting spot.

Redshirt Freshman Nose Tackle Grant Gibson (6’1″/300) is listed as the 3rd string Nose Tackle behind Bryant and Frazier on the Depth Chart, but it’s worth pointing out that there is the infamous “OR” in between him and Frazier. Gibson was the 2017 Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year. The coaching staff has been impressed with the strides he’s been making. Gibson is one of the highest rated high school recruits on the NC State D-Line, boasting 4-stars beside his name like Darian Roseboro and Alim McNeil.

Freshman Defensive Tackle Alim McNeil (6’2″/299) has been “force fed” according to D-Line coach Kevin Patrick. McNeil is making a major positional transition from high school to college. He played his whole career as a Linebacker at Sanderson High School (Raleigh, NC), and now he’s a Defensive Tackle with his hand in the dirt. Doeren has said that he wasn’t in football shape when he arrived, but his physical skills are obvious, and plays really fast. Patrick said the game is beginning to slow down for him.

His Linebacker and Fullback background give him freaky athletic ability at the Defensive Tackle position.

McNeil is listed as the 2nd string Defensive Tackle behind Murchison.