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Pack in the Pros

4 Former NC State Players Taken in XFL Draft

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5 years ago

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4 former NC State football players were taken in the XFL Draft the past two days.

Cornerback Jack Tocho was taken in the first round of the Secondary phase by the Los Angeles Wildcats.

Tocho is a well put together cornerback who carries a notable presence on the boundary. With good awareness and route recognition skills, Tocho will meet the requirements of an outside cornerback in the XFL and provide the Wildcats with a heady defender and a reliable tackler out on the edge. Tocho doesn’t necessarily possess top end explosiveness or short area agility, but his anticipation and technique will help him continue to be a plus starter at the XFL level while providing no shortage of plays on the football. He may need a bit of help in turn and run coverage over the top, but Tocho’s work in zone should have Wildcats fans excited about seeing him keying opposing quarterbacks in the backfield. (XFL)

Tocho was drafted by the Vikings in the 7th round of the 2017 NFL Draft, and played 1 year in the league. He spent the 2018 season on the Redskins Practice Squad, and played for the AAF in 2019 before it shut down.

Former All-ACC Offensive Guard Tony Adams was taken by the Tampa Bay Vipers in the 7th Round of the Offensive Line phase.

An impressive NC State product in the 2018 NFL Draft, they don’t come much stronger than Tony Adams. At the Shrine Game, Adams impressed with his ability to uproot interior defenders in the running game and stonewall their bull-rushes as a pass protector. Primarily a guard prospect who also spent time at center, Adams had NFL-caliber traits that the Jaguars took a long look at following the 2018 NFL Draft: his foot quickness, hand power, and core strength all illustrate that of a Day 1 starter at guard for the Vipers, who will likely make a killing running right through the holes Jones bulldozes open. (XFL)

Adams went undrafted in 2018, but was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars, and ultimately finished the year on the Patriots Practice Squad.

Cornerback Mike Stevens will be teammates with Tocho once again, being drafted by the Wildcats in the 9th round of the Secondary phase.

Former Offensive Guard Terronne Prescod was taken by the DC Defenders in the Open phase.

The XFL season will start in February after the NFL Super Bowl.

 

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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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Pack in the Pros

Mike Tomlin’s Thoughts on the Steelers Drafting NC State’s Payton Wilson

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5 days ago

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April 29, 2024

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Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin was ecstatic that NC State Linebacker Payton Wilson was available for Pittsburgh to pick up with the 98th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.

“We had to get comfortable with his medical and we brought him in on a pre draft visit. We allowed our medical experts to really get a good evaluation of him. We talked to him about his injury history. We were at a place of comfort. And so from that perspective, man, we’re really excited about having him.” (Link)

“Man, we’re really excited about Peyton. When we turn his tape on, we see him making all the type of plays you need linebackers to make. He’s a volume tackle player. He makes plays in the passing game from a coverage perspective via interception and pass breakup. He gets after the quarterback in the blitz game. He’s got a very well-rounded skillset. He’s a fluid mover. He can run. Had an opportunity to lay some real up close eyes on him down there in Mobile at the Senior Bowl, we’re thankful we had an opportunity to get him. He’s got all the hardware that comes with some of those things that I described being a Butkus Award winner and so forth. We had to get comfortable with his medical and we brought him in on a pre draft visit. We allowed Our medical experts to really get a good evaluation of him. We talked to him about his injury history. We were at a place of comfort. And so from that perspective, man, we’re really excited about having him.” (Link)

“I think you could characterize it as surprised. I mean, he is an award-winning linebacker, Butkus Award winner. Had an opportunity to get really familiar with him down in Mobile as well. But the linebackers themselves weren’t coming off the board at that juncture. So sometimes they make runs on positions at different times and it hadn’t been a lot of linebackers to that point. I think what he was number five or so.” (Link)

“We’re really excited about Payton. When we turn his tape on, we see him making all the types of plays you need linebackers to make. He’s a volume tackle player. He makes plays in the passing game from a coverage perspective via interception and pass breakup. He gets after the quarterback in the blitz game. He’s got a very well-rounded skill set. He’s a fluid mover. We had to get comfortable with his medical, and we were. We brought him in on a pre-draft visit to allow our medical experts to really get a good evaluation of him. We talked to him about his injury history. We were at a place of comfort, and so from that perspective, we’re really excited about having him.” (Link)

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Pack in the Pros

Payton Wilson will Wear #41 for the Pittsburgh Steelers

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5 days ago

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April 28, 2024

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Former NC State Linebacker Payton Wilson, who was drafted by Pittsburgh in 3rd round on Friday night, will wear the #41 for the Steelers.

Wilson spent his entire collegiate career at NC State wearing the #11. He wore the #11 at Orange High School.

It will take some getting used to recognize him in the #41 jersey. Currently, Steelers Wide Receiver Van Jefferson is wearing the #11.

Here’s a look at other Pittsburgh players who have worn the #41.

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NC State Football

NC State CB Shyheim Battle Receives Invitation to Jets Rookie Mini Camp

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6 days ago

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April 28, 2024

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NC State Cornerback Shyheim Battle has received an invitation from the New York Jets to participate in their Rookie Mini Camp.

Battle had 1 year of eligibility remaining, but declared for the NFL Draft on January 3rd.

He finished this past year as the most experienced player on the Wolfpack’s defense, starting in 41 of the 51 games he has played in dating back to 2019. In a rarity in this day-and-age, Battle was a 4-year starter at the Cornerback position for NC State. He graduated with a degree in Communications.

In his final season in Red and White, Battle had 46 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 4 pass breakups and 1 fumble recovery. His PFF Grade of 70.6 was the 7th best on the Wolfpack defense.

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NC State Football

NC State PK Brayden Narveson Signs Undrafted Free Agent Deal with the Titans

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6 days ago

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April 27, 2024

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NC State Place Kicker Brayden Narveson has signed an Undrafted Free Agent Deal with the Tennessee Titans.

In his one season in Raleigh, Narveson made 18 of his 23 Field Goal attempts for the Wolfpack, and made all 38 Extra Point attempts. Narveson made some history in his one season at NC State, kicking a 57-yard Field Goal against Duke, breaking the school record for the longest Field Goal.

Narveson ranked 4th in the ACC in Field Goals attempted (23), and 5th in Field Goals made (18) this season. He ranked 9th in conference in scoring (7.1 points per game).

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