Connect with us

NC State Football

Kelvin Harmon’s Legacy at NC State

Published

5 years ago

on

Unfortunately, the days of watching Wide Receiver Kelvin Harmon in an NC State uniform have come to an end. Harmon announced on Monday that he would not be returning for his Senior season in Raleigh, would be declaring for the 2019 NFL Draft, and wouldn’t be playing in the Wolfpack’s Gator Bowl matchup against #19 Texas A&M on December 31st.

To be honest, there’s nothing shocking about this news. In a quick survey of three prominent mock drafts right now, he was a Top-10 pick in one, a later 1st rounder in another, and an early 2nd round pick in the other.

Even though Harmon only played 3 seasons at NC State, he’s one of best to ever play the wide receiver position in school history. The question is…how high do you rank him?

He finished his career ranked with the 4th most receptions, 3rd most receiving yards, and the 7th most touchdown receptions.

Career Receptions Leaders
1. Jaylen Samuels, 2014-2017 – 202
2. Jerricho Cotchery, 2000-03 – 200
3. Torry Holt, 1995-98 – 191
4. Kelvin Harmon, 2016-18 – 177
5. Eddie Goines, 1991-94 – 147

Career Receiving Yards Leaders
1. Torry Holt, 1995-98 – 3,379
2. Jerricho Cotchery, 2000-03 – 3,119
3. Kelvin Harmon, 2016-18 – 2,665
4. Owen Spencer, 2007-10 – 2,441
5. Eddie Goines, 1991-94 – 2,351

Career Touchdown Receptions
1. Torry Holt, 1995-98 -31
2. Jerricho Cotchery, 2000-03 – 21
3. Jarvis Williams, 2007-10 – 20
4. Jaylen Samuels, 2014-17 – 19
5. Eddie Goines, 1991-94 – 17
5. George Bryan, 2008-11 – 17
7. Kelvin Harmon, 2016-18 – 16

100-Yard Games
1. Jerricho Cotchery, 2000-03 – 15
2. Torry Holt, 1995-98 – 14
2. Koren Robinson, 1999-00 – 14
4. Kelvin Harmon, 2016-18 – 12
5. Eddie Goines, 1991-94 8

Harmon is the only player on the above lists that only played 3 seasons at NC State. To be clear, of Harmon would have returned for his Senior season, he would have shattered Torry Holt’s are we receiving yards record and Jaylen Samuels’ career receptions record.

If you were to judge these players by what their average season production was, he would top all of them in receiving yards and receptions per season.

Average Receiving Yards Per Season

Kelvin Harmon – 888 yards
Torry Holt – 845 yards

(Koren Robinson would take the cake for the highest average per season (957), but since he only played 2 seasons, he isn’t on the above list.)

Average Receptions Per Season

Kelvin Harmon – 59
Jaylen Samuels – 50.5

(Koren Robinson averaged 55 receptions per season at NC State.)

100-yard games per season

Koren Robinson – 7
Kelvin Harmon – 4

Harmon’s Junior campaign was one of the best single-seasons in school history, ranking 4th in receptions (81) and 4th in receiving yards.

Most Receptions in a Season
1. Jakobi Meyers, 2018 – 89
2. Torry Holt, 1998 – 88
3. Jerricho Cotchery, 2003 – 86
4. Kelvin Harmon, 2018 – 81
5. Jaylen Samuels, 2017 – 76
6. Kelvin Harmon, 2017 – 69
6. Tramain Hall, 2003 – 69

Most Receiving Yards in a Season

1. Torry Holt, 1998 – 1,604
2. Jerricho Cotchery, 2003 – 1,369
3. Jerricho Cotchery, 2002 – 1,192
4. Kelvin Harmon, 2016-18 – 1,186
4. Torry Holt, 1997 – 1,099
5. Koren Robinson, 2000 – 1,061
6. Jakobi Meyers, 2018 – 1,024
7. Kelvin Harmon, 2017 – 1,017

If you break it down by season, Harmon was one of the best to play the position as a Freshman, Sophomore and Junior. His 462 receiving yards as a Freshman ranks 3rd in school history for a frosh. His 69 receptions as a Sophomore are tied for the most ever, and his 1,017 receiving yards rank second. Harmon’s 81 receptions is the 2nd most by a Junior (behind teammate Jakobi Meyers), and his 1,186 rank 2nd as well.

As you can below, NC State has had a legacy of 1st Team All-ACC, but it had been 14 years since Jerricho Cotchery made the team in 2003. That’s the longest drought in school history.

NC State 1st Team All-ACC Wide Receivers

2018 – Kelvin Harmon
2018 – Jakobi Meyers
2003 – Jerricho Cotchery
2002 – Jerricho Cotchery
1999 – Koren Robinson
1998 – Torry Holt
1997 – Torry Holt
1994 – Eddie Goines
1993 – Eddie Goines
1991 – Charles Davenport
1988 – Nasrallah Worthen
1986 – Nasrallah Worthen
1975 – Don Buckey
1972 – Pat Kenney
1967 – Harry Martell
1966 – Gary Rowe

Harmon is one of the Top-4 wide receivers in NC State history. That’s not even debatable in my mind.

Personally, I think Holt is still the G.O.A.T. Even though Harmon averaged more receiving yards and receptions per season, Holt dominated him in touchdowns (31). Also, Harmon never had a season like Holt’s Senior season (1,604 receiving yards & 16 touchdowns.

If you’re looking at accolades, Holt was a consensus 1st Team All-American in 1998 and Robinson was a 2nd Team All-American 2000 (I know all of the All-American Teams haven’t been announced for 2018). Cotchery was a 2-time 1st Team All-ACC honoree (as was Holt).

With all that being said, I reserve the top spot for Holt, but a legitimate conversation can be had for Harmon to be #2, 3, or #4.

Wolfpack fans, consider yourself privileged. You had the chance to watch one of the greatest of all-time in school history the past three years in Kelvin Harmon.

Related Topics:

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.

1 Comment
Subscribe
Notify of
1 Comment
newest
oldest most Upvoted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
ncsu_kappa
ncsu_kappa
5 years ago

1. Holt
2. Koren Robinson
Gap
3/4 no preference between Harmon and Cotchery. Maybe slight lean to Harmon because of physical traits. If he doesn’t have the drops at Clemson and Wake I’d for sure take KH. Still great accomplishment to be either 3/4 but can’t pretend they didn’t happen. Small things separate the best

0

NC State Football

Details of Dave Doeren’s New Contract at NC State

Published

5 hours ago

on

April 26, 2024

By

NC State has signed Dave Doeren to a 2-year extension, but the extension comes with a raise. Doeren’s base salary in 2023 was $5.02 million.

According to Brian Murphy of WRALSports Fan, Doeren’s salary in 2024 will be $5.5 million, and it will increase by $125,000 each year of the contract. He can earn $1.325 million in academic and athletic performance bonuses on an annual basis.

Below is a breakdown of the bonus structure.

Image

The bonus structure is the same as it was in his previous contract (see above), but the section entitled “Playoff” has been updated as follows:

Continue Reading

NC State Football

Former NC State Wide Receiver Julian Gray Commits to Liberty

Published

5 hours ago

on

April 26, 2024

By

Former NC State Wide Receiver Julian Gray has committed to play for Liberty next year.

Image

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.

Gray has 2 more years of eligibility remaining.

NC State has had 23 players enter the Transfer Portal

DT Nick Campbell
WR Julian Gray – Liberty
RB Delbert Mimms III – Eastern Michigan
TE Fred Seabrough
Nickel Cecil Powell – Troy
WR Christopher Scott – Austin Peay
OL Jaleel Davis – Florida International
WR Josh Crabtree – Murray St. 
OL Lyndon Cooper – Pitt
WR Terrell Timmons – Colorado
LB Torren Wright – Temple
NT C.J. Clark – Miami
QB MJ Morris – Maryland
S Jakeen Harris – UNC
TE Cedd Seabrough – West Georgia
WR Porter Rooks – Eastern Michigan
DB Nate Evans – Delaware
LB Daejuan Thompson
RB Jordan Houston – Marshall
RB Michael Allen – UNLV
DB Darius Edmundson – UNC-Pembroke
WR Anthony Smith – East Carolina
TE Christopher Toudle – Western Michigan 

Continue Reading

NC State Football

NC State Gives Dave Doeren a 2-Year Extension

Published

5 hours ago

on

April 26, 2024

By

NC State and Head Football Coach Dave Doeren have agreed to a 2-year extension, keeping him under contract through the 2029 season.

There is something to be said with consistency and stability. Dave Doeren is entering his 12th season at NC State, which ties him for the 6th longest tenure in College Football.

Image

The details of the contract have not been released, and I will break them down when they are revealed, but his annual salary before was $5.02 million.

Here’s what the bonus structure was for Doeren and his assistants prior to today’s extension.

Image

Continue Reading

NC State Football

NC State’s Current 2024 Football Scholarship Breakdown

Published

8 hours ago

on

April 26, 2024

By

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
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

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

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

Specialist

Redshirt Junior Caden Noonkester

That’s 81 players on scholarship, with 4 available.

Continue Reading