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James Smith-Williams to Wear No. 1 Jersey for NC State in 2019

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4 years ago

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RALEIGH, N.C. – Since 2014, NC State head coach Dave Doeren has recognized a member of the Wolfpack football team for his work ethic, character, leadership and accomplishments by giving them the No. 1 jersey.  In a team meeting today, Doeren announced that graduate defensive end James Smith-Williams will don that special number for the 2019 season.

Smith-Williams, who started every game he played during the 2018 season, graduated in December with a degree in business supply chain management and a 3.0+ GPA. He tallied 9.5 tackles for loss and six sacks, while also earning Academic All-ACC honors. His diligence in the Wolfpack’s strength and conditioning program has helped him gain 60 lbs. since his freshman campaign. 

The Raleigh native spent last summer working as a paid intern for IBM and that prestigious corporation has already offered him a full-time job whenever his football career is complete. He also serves as vice president of NC State Athletics’ Student-Athlete Advisory Council. 

“Our goal as a program is to help our players chase two dreams: life with football and life without football; and to develop them academically, athletically and socially,” said Doeren. “James has grown and excelled in those areas. He has been a tremendous leader for us, has always made great decisions and has done things the right way on and off the field. I’m very proud to see his hard work pay off and look forward to seeing him continue to improve this season.”

Last season, wide receiver Stephen Louis, who had undergone two shoulder surgeries, wore the honored jersey. Two-time All-ACC all-purpose back Jaylen Samuels wore No. 1 in 2016 and 2017, while senior Hakim Jones was honored in 2015.  Safety Jarvis Byrd, who had come back from three torn ACLs to play his senior campaign, wore No. 1 for the 2014 season.

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NC State Football

Dave Doeren Led the Hurricanes to a Game 1 Victory Over Devils

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4 weeks ago

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May 4, 2023

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NC State Head Football Coach Dave Doeren helped lead the Carolina Hurricanes to a Game 1 victory over the New Jersey Devils in Game 1 of the 2nd Round of the playoffs. Doeren was ferocious in sounding the siren.

The Canes demolished the Devils 5-1 last night. Go Canes!

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NC State Football

Which NC State Players Signed with NFL Teams as Undrafted Free Agents?

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4 weeks ago

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May 1, 2023

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Chandler Zavala was the only player from NC State that was drafted this past weekend in the 2023 NFL Draft. So which Wolfpack players signed with NFL teams as undrafted free agents?

NC State has quite a few players playing in the NFL that went undrafted: Defensive Tackle T.Y. McGill, Running Back Zonovan Knight, and Wide Receiver Jakobi Meyers.

The Chargers organization must have liked what was going on in Raleigh, signing 3 Wolfpack players as undrafted free agents.

The Bolts signed Safety Tanner Ingle.

Also heading to Los Angeles is Defensive Back Tyler Baker-Williams.

Los Angeles might have found their kicker of the future in Christopher Dunn.

Linebacker Isaiah Moore has signed with the reigning Super Bowl Champs in Kansas City.

Moore is joining former Wolfpacker Joe Thuney in KC.

Wide Receiver Thayer Thomas has signed with the Minnesota Vikings.

Thomas is joining former Wolfpacker Garrett Bradbury in Minnesota.

Thayer’s brother, Linebacker Drake Thomas signed with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Thomas joins former Wolfpacker’s Jakobi Meyers (WR) and A.J. Cole (P).

Cornerback Derrek Pitts has signed with Tampa Bay.

Defensive Tackle Cory Durden has signed with the Detroit Lions.

Durden joins former Wolfpacker Alim McNeil, who also plays Defensive Tackle.

Finally, Punter Shane McDonough is a rookie mini-camp invitee.

 

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Chandler Zavala was NC State’s Lone Draft Pick in 2023

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4 weeks ago

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May 1, 2023

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Surprisingly, NC State only had one player taken in the 2023 NFL Draft. Unsurprisingly, Offensive Lineman Chandler Zavala was that singular player.

The Carolina Panthers drafted Zavala in the 4th round with the 114th overall pick.

This marks the second year in a row that the Panthers have selected an offensive linemen from NC State, drafting Ikem Ekwonu with the 6th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Zavala and Ekwonu played beside one another in Raleigh on the left side, and there’s a chance that they will eventually do the same thing on Sunday’s for Carolina.

Zavala is coming off of a season where he earned 1st Team All-ACC honors, and didn’t give up a single sack.

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NC State’s Demie Sumo-Karngbaye Enters Transfer Portal

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1 month ago

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April 27, 2023

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NC State Running Back Demie Sumo-Karngbaye has officially entered the Transfer Portal. As a Redshirt Freshman this past season, he rushed for 305 yards (5.5 yards per carry) and 3 touchdowns. Sumo-Karngbaye also had 12 receptions for 148 yards and a touchdown.

Demie was electric to start the season, but battled injuries all season long. In conference play, he was limited, only rushing the ball 16 times for 53 yards (3.3 yards per carry) with 0 touchdowns.

There’s no denying that the Wolfpack Running Back room is crowded. From the beginning of the season, Sumo-Karngbaye shared carries with Jordan Houston, who is once again returning this season. After Sumo-Karngbaye continued to miss action due to injuries, True Freshman Michael Allen stepped in and proved to be more than ready for the spotlight, averaging 5.1 yards per carry (53 carries), with most of those carries coming against ACC opponents. Not to mention the fact that True Freshman Kendrick Raphael will look to make an instant impact this Fall.

With all of this being said, I don’t get this move. At the end of the day, every young man has to make the decision they think is best, but Sumo-Karngbaye had every reason to to expect significant playing time in 2023, as long as he could prove to stay healthy.

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