Week 4 of the 2018 NFL season is in the bag, and 12 former NC State players were active. Here’s a breakdown of their performances.
Running Back Nyheim Hines (Starter) had a HUGE game for the Colts on Sunday in his first career start. He had 9 receptions for 63 yards and 2 touchdowns in Indianapolis’ 34-37 loss to the Texans. He also had 4 carries for 10 yards.
Quarterback Philip Rivers (Starter) was 25 of 39 for 250 yards and 3 touchdowns (1 interception) in the Chargers 29-27 victory over the 49ers.
Quarterback Russell Wilson (Starter) was 19 of 26 (73.1%) for 172 yards in the Seahawks 20-17 victory over the Cardinals on Sunday. He also rushed the ball 4 times for 21 yards.
Offensive Guard Joe Thuney’s (Starter) start streak continued (42 straight starts) on Sunday in the Patriots 38-7 victory over the Dolphins.
Unfortunately this got wiped out due to a holding on Brown, but Thuney folded Alonso up like a beach chair:🥞 pic.twitter.com/utlt4atlDY
Defensive End BJ Hill is listed as a starter on the Giants Depth Chart, but for the second straight week it appears he came off the bench. Also, for the second straight week, Hill picked up a SACK.
Linebacker Bradley Chubb(Starter) had 2 tackles and 2 QB Hits in the Broncos 23-27 loss to the Chiefs last night. Also, he did this dance after the Chiefs were called for a false start. Chubb doing Chubb.
Defensive Tackle Justin Jones picked up 2 tackles as a reserve in the Chargers 29-27 victory over the 49ers.
Ask and ye shall receive. A little Justin Jones for your viewing pleasure. He’s lined up over LG, drives him three yards into backfield to force cut back, sheds him, closes and finishes. Shows of some serious power. pic.twitter.com/jdBmQGAzks
— The Lightning Round Podcast (@Lightning_Round) October 1, 2018
Left Guard Ted Larsen (Starter) started his third straight game for the Dolphins in their 7-38 loss to the Patriots. Larsen has started in 76 of his 114 games since joining the NFL in 2010.
Offensive Guard JR Sweezy (Starter) started his 4th straight game since returning to the Seahawks, helping Seattle beat Arizona 20-17 on Sunday. Sweezy has started in 67 of the 77 regular season games he’s played in since he entered the NFL in 2012.
Safety Josh Jones missed the first 3 games of the season due to an ankle injury, but picked up 1 tackle in a reserve role in the Packers 22-0 victory over the Bills.
After not playing in the first two weeks, Running Back Jaylen Samuels played as a reserve for the second straight week in the Steelers 14-26 loss to the Ravens.
Place Kicker Stephen Hauschka (Starter) was active yesterday, but didn’t have any opportunities to kick a field goal or an extra point.
Inactive
Jaguar Offensive Tackle Will Richardson
Jets Cornerback Juston Burris
Colts Quarterback Jacoby Brissett
Seahawks Cornerback Dontae Johnson (IR)
Chargers Defensive Tackle T.Y. McGill
Cardinals Quarterback Mike Glennon
49ers Defensive End Kentavius Street (IR)
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.
Former NC State Linebacker Payton Wilson had a Top-30 visit with the Pittsburgh Steelers yesterday. Wilson is the first Linebacker the Steelers have brought in.
Updated Steelers visit tracker:
Interesting to note that Pittsburgh only met with one LB for a pre-draft visit: Payton Wilson. Huge injury history, but a great player (and athlete) when healthy.
The Pittsburgh #Steelers held a top 30 visit with #NCState LB Payton Wilson.
Wilson, at 6-foot-4, 233 pounds, is the first linebacker to be brought in for a pre-draft visit by the team. He’s expected to be drafted in the second round. pic.twitter.com/fVxjVhQArA
Wilson has the length, movement ability, IQ and tape of a first-round linebacker. What will likely keep him from being drafted on Day 1 is his injury history and age. If healthy, he can be a starting inside linebacker in any defense. (PFF)
Will someone take Wilson in the 1st round? Will he be a 2nd round pick? If he slips past that, that’s just stupid.
Horne is trying to become the first Wolfpack player to be drafted since Dennis Smith Jr. was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks with the 6th pick in the 1st Round.
While Horne might not currently be projected to be drafted, he is trying to change that tune at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament which begins tomorrow.
Horne is a special player, and genuinely possesses the skill set to compete at the next level. Whether he is drafted, or signs a 2-way contract, what he put on tape this year warrants a chance.
Last season as a Senior, Jackson had 40 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks in 12 games for the Wolfpack. His Run Defense grade on PFF was 80.6, ranking 4th on the team.
According to current projections, Jackson projects to be taken on Day 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft, or picked up as an Undrafted Free Agent.
Former All-ACC NC State Forward Richard Howell has been named the new Varsity Men’s Basketball Coach at Green Hope High School right down the road in Cary, North Carolina.
“I am thrilled to join the Green Hope family and lead the varsity men’s basketball team,” Coach Howell expressed. “My journey in basketball has been incredibly rewarding, and I am excited to share my knowledge and passion for the game with the talented athletes at Green Hope.”
Principal Alison Cleveland commented on the hire, stating, “We are delighted to welcome Coach Howell to Green Hope High School. His impressive background and dedication to the game will undoubtedly inspire our student-athletes to reach new heights both on and off the court.” (Green Hope)
Howell earned 1st Team All-ACC honors as a member of the Wolfpack back in 2013, when he averaged 12.7 points and 10.9 boards per game. His 1,055 career rebounds rank 5th in NC State history, and his 392 offensive boards rank 1st.
On December 15th, 2012, Howell snagged 19 rebounds, which is tied for the 2nd most in a single game in program history. Howell played 132 career games for the Wolfpack, which ranks 5th in NC State history.
After graduating from NC State, Howell had a couple of stints in the D-League (now called the G-League), but ultimately had a long career overseas, playing in Italy, France, the Dominican Republic, the Philippines, and Israel from 2013-2023.
Congratulations Richard! Raise up some talent and send them down the road to NC State!