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NC State Football

NC State 2018 Football Position Preview: Special Teams

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6 years ago

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

We’ve previewed each defensive position group: the Defensive Ends, Defensive Tackles, Linebackers, Cornerbacks, and Safeties and Nickels.

Last but not least, here’s our preview of the Wolfpack Special Teams heading into tomorrow’s season opener.

Freshman Placekicker Chris Dunn (5’8″/177) might just be the most highly anticipated member of the 2018 recruiting class. Typically, that title isn’t reserved for a placekicker, but due to the Wolfpack’s kicking woes over the past couple of seasons, Dunn enters his collegiate career with Messianic anticipation.

It’s not shocking to see Dunn win the starting job. Carson Wise (no longer with the team) and Kyle Bambard were a combined 10 for 20 in field goal attempts in 2017. Not to pour salt in a wound, but they were 2 of 9 between 30-39 yards.

You getting why people are excited about Dunn?

Dunn’s 57-yard field goal holds the record for the longest in the history of high school football in North Carolina. His 89 touchbacks his Senior season are also a North Carolina record.

From all we hear from the coaches, Dunn has been solid in the Spring and the Fall.

All signs point to Dunn being the real deal, but I’ll believe it when I see it, and I mean that with no disrespect. Dunn was the #7 ranked kicker in the 2018 class, but Kyle Bambard before him was #9, and we saw how that went.

If Dunn can come in, and handle the pressure of 60,000 fans, the bright lights, and Division-1 athletes running at him, he will literally be the most significant addition to this team. NC State’s inability to kick field goals regularly from 40-yards out has altered their offensive play calling. It’s made them be more conservative, and take less shots down field.

Dunn won’t be perfect, but he exudes confidence, and that’s what a kicker has to have. If Dunn can consistently put the ball through the uprights, this team can be special.

Fans will lose their marbles if Dunn makes a field goal tomorrow.

(Backup: Graduate Senior Kyle Bambard is 16 of 32 in field goal attempts over his first three seasons)

Senior Punter AJ Cole (6’4″/218) is one of the best to play the position at NC State. His career average of 42.4 yards per punt ranks 3rd in school history. His average of 43.7 yards per punt ranked 5th in the ACC last season. Cole has been one of NC State’s unsung heroes over the past three years, continually putting the opposing offense in less than ideal situations. Obviously, you don’t want to see Cole much throughout the year, but when we do, I expect him to be one of the best in the ACC once again, and possibly punt in the NFL one day.

(Backup: Redshirt Freshman Trenton Gill)

Redshirt Senior Cornerback Maurice Trowell (5’11″/195) has named the opening day starter at kickoff returner. Trowell has returned two kickoffs in his time at NC State, for a total of 57 yards. The only other player on the team to ever return a kickoff is Senior Running Back Reggie Gallaspy (1 for 11 yards).

Trowell isn’t the only player that NC State has been trying out at the Kickoff Returner spot. Wide Receivers Stephen Louis, CJ Riley and Emeka Emezie have also been given a stab at the job. One of the reasons Trowell is back there, is because he’s the fastest player on the team (tied with CJ Riley), running a 4.48 Laser 40-yard dash.

The shoes Trowell has to fill are big. Nyheim Hines returned kickoffs the past three years, totaling 2,171 yards, which is the 2nd most career kickoff return yards in school history. His career average of 24.7 ranks 8th all-time.

Hines could change the trajectory of the game anytime the ball was in his hands.

I’m not saying Trowell or anyone else can be Hines, but there are plenty of athletes that could be playmakers on kickoffs. If Trowell can make some plays tomorrow in the return game, the coaching staff won’t be thinking about trying out any of the guys behind him.

(Backup: There isn’t one listed on the depth chart, but I would assume it would be either Stephen Louis, CJ Riley or Emeka Emezie).

Redshirt Freshman Wide Receiver Thayer Thomas (6’0″/193) has been named the opening day starter at punt returner. Thomas is a former walk-on, that earned a scholarship after being on campus only 6 months. When Doeren went out to watch a Heritage vs. Sanderson  matchup a few years ago to see some other players (Alim McNeil, Ricky Person, Drake Thomas, Trent Pennix), Thomas was the player that stood out the most to him. Thayer is dangerous with the ball in his hands, and has the ability to make people miss. With Thomas’ story combined with his talent, he is going to be a player Wolfpack fans love to cheer for.

(Backup: There isn’t one listed on the depth chart, but I would assume it would be Redshirt Junior Jakobi Meyers, who has also been taking reps. 

Senior Long snapper Tyler Griffiths (6’1″/253) has snapped the ball for every kick for the past three years. You’re not used to hearing his name, and that’s a good thing. Long snappers only become known when they botch it. That’s not Griffiths’ style. Phil Steele named him a 2nd Team All-ACC Long snapper last year. Punter AJ Cole loves his long snapper. When requested for an interview during Fall Camp, Cole refused to do it without Griffiths present.

(Backup: Redshirt Sophomore Jackson Quiggle)

Senior AJ Cole will continue to serve as the Holder for field goals and extra points.

(Backup: Redshirt Graduate Senior Quarterback Woody Cornwell)

Related Topics:

Matthew is Publisher and Co-Owner of Pack Insider. He is also the Lead Pastor of The Point Church in Cary, NC.

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NC State Football

NC State’s 2024 Transfer Class Ranks 7th Nationally After 2 Commitments this Week

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3 hours ago

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May 11, 2024

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NC State’s 2024 Transfer Class ranks 7th nationally according to ON3 after two commitments this week from Akron Safety Kerry Martin Jr. and Colorado Nose Tackle Chazz Wallace.

(ON3)

247Sports ranks the 14-man class 18th, and Rivals ranks it 28th.

NC State’s 2024 Transfer Class

Akron S Kerry Martin Jr. 
Colorado NT Chazz Wallace
Auburn S Donovan Kaufman
Oklahoma RB Daylan Smothers
Villanova CB Devon Marshall
Ohio State WR Noah Rogers
Duke RB Jordan Waters
Maryland DB Tamarcus Cooley
Maryland CB Corey Coley Jr.
UCONN TE Justin Joly
Coastal Carolina QB Grayson McCall
Wake Forest WR Wesley Grimes
Notre Dame C Zeke Correll
Missouri OL Valen Erickson

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NC State Football

NC State’s Grayson McCall Ranks 4th Amongst Active QB’s in Career Passing Yards Heading into ’24

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3 hours ago

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May 11, 2024

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NC State’s Grayson McCall ranks 4th amongst Active Quarterbacks heading into the 2024 College Football season. McCall leads all Active ACC Quarterbacks in Career Passing Yards.

Image

McCall was at Coastal Carolina for his first 5 years, throwing for 10,005 yards, which is 6 more than the infographic from PFF above.

McCall transferred to NC State for his final year of eligibility, and he has the weapons in place to throw for 3,000 yards for the first time in his career. If he did, he would be the first Wolfpack Quarterback to do so since Devin Leary threw 3,433 yards in 2021.

Here’s a look at McCall’s highlights from NC State’s 2024 Spring Game.

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NC State Football

The Athletic Includes NC State in Their Post-Spring 2024 Preseason Top-25

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2 days ago

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May 9, 2024

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The Athletic released their 2024 Post-Spring Preseason Top-25, and NC State landed at #21. Here’s what they had to say about the Wolfpack.

21. NC State

The Wolfpack made a huge acquisition at quarterback in landing Coastal Carolina transfer Grayson McCall. They also added former Ohio State wide receiver Noah Rogers, a North Carolina native and one-time top-50 national prospect. It’ll be hard to overcome the loss of linebacker Payton Wilson, one of the best defensive players in the country a year ago, and there are plenty of personnel questions in the secondary. But Dave Doeren always has this team ready to go. (The Athletic)

ACC in the Top 25

10. Miami

12. FSU

18. Clemson

21. NC State

22. Louisville

Tennessee, who the Wolfpack will play in Week 2 in Bank of America Stadium, is sitting at #15.

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NC State Football

NC State’s Current 2024 Football Scholarship Breakdown

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3 days ago

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May 8, 2024

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Here’s a look at NC State’s current Football scholarship breakdown.

Offense

Quarterback 
Redshirt Senior Grayson McCall
Redshirt Freshman Lex Thomas
4-Star Freshman Cedrick Bailey

Transferred Out: MJ Morris
Transferred In: Grayson McCall

Running Back
Redshirt Senior Jordan Waters
Redshirt Senior Running Back Demarcus Jones
Redshirt Junior Jordan Poole
Sophomore Kendrick Raphael
Redshirt Freshman Daylan Smothers
3-Star Freshman Jayden Scott
3-Star Freshman Isiah Jones

Transferred Out: Jordan Houston, Michael Allen, & Delbert Mimms III
Transferred In: Jordan Waters & Daylan Smothers

Wide Receiver
Redshirt Junior Jalen Coit
Redshirt Junior Jakolbe Baldwin
Redshirt Junior Dacari Collins
Junior Wesley Grimes
Sophomore Kevin Concepcion
Redshirt Freshman Noah Rogers
4-Star Freshman Jonathan Paylor
4-Star Freshman Terrell Anderson
4-Star Freshman Keenan Jackson
4-Star Wide Receiver Jimmar Boston
3-Star Freshman Christian Zachary

Transferred Out – Porter Rooks, Anthony Smith, Terrell Timmons, Josh Crabtree, Christopher Scott & Julian Gray
Transferred In – Wesley Grimes

Tight End
Junior Justin Joly
Junior Dante Daniels (JUCO Addition)
Sophomore Juice Vereen

Transferred Out – Christopher Toudle, Cedd Seabrough & Fred Seabrough
Transferred In – Justin Joly

Offensive Line
Redshirt Senior Dawson Jaramillo
Redshirt Senior Timothy McKay
Redshirt Senior Anthony Belton
Redshirt Senior Zeke Correll
Redshirt Junior Sean Hill
Redshirt Junior Anthony Carter Jr.
Redshirt Junior Matt McCabe
Redshirt Junior Patrick Matan
Redshirt Sophomore Rylan Vann
Redshirt Sophomore Jacarrius Peak
Redshirt Sophomore Valen Erickson
Redshirt Freshman Obadiah Obasayui
Redshirt Freshman Kamen Smith
Redshirt Freshman Darion Rivers
Redshirt Freshman Rico Jackson
4-Star Freshman Tyler West
3-Star Freshman Robby Martin
3-Star Freshman Trent Mitchell

Transferred out: Lyndon Cooper & Jaleel Davis
Transferred In: Zeke Correll & Valen Erickson

Defense

Defensive Line
Senior Defensive End Davin Vann
Senior Nose Tackle Chazz Wallace
Redshirt Senior Defensive End Noah Potter
Redshirt Senior Defensive End Red Hibbler
Redshirt Junior Defensive End Travali Price
Junior Nose Tackle Brandon Cleveland
Redshirt Sophomore Nose Tackle DJ Jackson
Redshirt Freshman Defensive End Isaiah Shirley
3-Star Freshman Defensive Lineman Chase Bond
3-Star Freshman Defensive Lineman Justin Terrell
3-Star Freshman Defensive Lineman Joshua Alexander-Felton

Transferred Out: Nose Tackles C.J. Clark & Nick Campbell
Transferred In: Nose Tackle Chazz Wallace

Linebackers

Redshirt Senior Devon Betty
Redshirt Junior Sean Brown
Redshirt Junior Caden Fordham
Redshirt Junior Jayland Parker
Junior Wyatt Wright (JUCO Addition)
Redshirt Freshman Kelvon McBride
Redshirt Freshman Kamal Bonner
4-Star Freshman Elijah Davis
3-Star Freshman Cannon Lewis
3-Star Freshman Zane Williams
3-Star Freshman Joshua Ofor

Transferred Out: LB’s Daejuan Thompson & Torren Wright

Defensive Backs

Redshirt Senior Safety Kerry Martin Jr.
Senior Cornerback Aydan White
Senior Defensive Back Corey Coley Jr.
Senior Safety Devan Boykin
Senior Safety Bishop Fitzgerald
Senior Safety Donovan Kaufman
Junior Cornerback Devon Marshall
Junior Cornerback Rente Hinton
Redshirt Sophomore Cornerback Jackson Vick
Redshirt Sophomore Defensive Back Isaiah Crowell
Sophomore Cornerback Brandon Cisse
Redshirt Freshman Defensive Back Tamarcus Cooley
Redshirt Freshman Safety Zack Myers
Redshirt Freshman Safety Daemon Fagan
4-Star Freshman Safety Ronnie Royal III
4-Star Freshman Cornerback Asaad Brown
3-Star Freshman Cornerback Jivan Baly
3-Star Freshman Safety Brody Barnhardt

Transferred Out: Safety Jakeen Harris, Defensive Back Nate Evans, Defensive Back Darius Edmundson, Nickel Cecil Powell
Transferred In: Tamarcus Cooley, Corey Coley Jr., Devon Marshall, Donovan Kaufman & Kerry Martin Jr.

Specialist

Redshirt Junior Caden Noonkester

That’s 83 players on scholarship, with 2 available.

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