16 of the 21 former NC State players on active NFL rosters saw action in Week 7 of the 2019 NFL season. Check out a breakdown of how they did below.
Quarterback Russell Wilson (starter) went bananas, throwing for 378 yards (67%) and 5 touchdowns (0 interceptions) in Seattle’s 40-34 victory over Tampa Bay in overtime. He posted a QB Rating of 133.7.
Wilson has officially done what no QB has ever done through the first 9 games.
With his 5 pass TD (and 0 INT) game vs the Buccaneers today, Russell Wilson has 22 pass TD & only 1 INT on the season. @DangeRussWilson is the only player in the Super Bowl era with 22+ pass TD & 1 or fewer INT in his team's first 9 games of a season.#TBvsSEA | #Seahawks
Running Back Jaylen Samuels (starter) set a Steelers record for receptions by a running back in a single game, snagging 13 passes for 80 yards in Pittsburgh’s 26-24 victory over Indy. He also had 8 rushes for 10 yards. Jay Sam played in 65% of the offensive snaps.
Quarterback Jacoby Brissett (starter) went down with a sprained MCL in the Colts’ 26-24 loss to the Steelers.
Before going down, Brissett was 4 of 5 for 59 yards. He was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday, which is a sign he might be good to go for Sunday.
Quarterback Philip Rivers was 21 of 28 for 294 yards in the Chargers’ 26-11 victory over the Packers. His QB Rating was 108.3.
Wide Receiver Kelvin Harmon (starter) had 1 reception for 6 yards (2 targets) in Washington’s 24-9 loss to Buffalo. Harmon started the 3rd game of his career, playing 50% of the snaps. He also picked up a fumble recovery.
Offensive Guard Joe Thuney (starter) played 100% of the offensive snaps in the Patriots’ 37-20 loss to the Ravens.
Offensive Guard J.R. Sweezy (starter) played 100% of the offensive snaps in Arizona’s 28-25 loss to the 49ers last Thursday night.
Center Garrett Bradbury (starter) played 100% of the offensive snaps in the Vikings’ 26-23 loss to the Chiefs.
Defensive Back Juston Burris (starter) started his 3rd game of the season, and his second consecutive game in the Browns’ 24-19 loss to the Broncos. He didn’t record any stats, playing in 24% of the defensive snaps.
Running Back Nyheim Hines had 1 rush for 7 yards, and 1 reception (3 targets) for 21 yards in the Colts’ 26-24 loss to the Steelers. He played in 29% of the offensive snaps.
Place Kicker Stephen Hauschka (starter) connected on his only field goal attempt from 42 yards, and made all 33 extra point attempts.
Punter A.J. Cole punted the ball 2 times for an average of 48 yards in the Raiders’ 31-24 victory over the Lions.
Offensive Tackle Will Richardson played in 45% of the offensive snaps in Jacksonville’s 26-3 loss to Houston.
Defensive End B.J. Hill had 1 tackle in the Giants’ 37-18 loss to the Cowboys, playing in 25% of the defensive snaps.
Defensive Tackle T.Y. McGill had 1 tackle, playing 20% of the defensive snaps in Los Angeles’ 26-11 victory over Green Bay.
Wide Receiver Jakobi Meyers played in only 1 offensive snap in New England’s 37-20 loss to Baltimore. The addition of Mohamed Sanu is going to significantly cut into Jakobi’s playing time.
BYE
Linebacker Germaine Pratt (Bengals)
Quarterback Ryan Finley (Bengals)
DNP
Offensive Lineman Ted Larsen (Bears)
Quarterback Mike Glennon (Raiders)
Injured
Defensive Tackle Justin Jones (shoulder)
IR
Linebacker Bradley Chubb (Broncos) – knee
Defensive End Kentavius Street (49ers) – knee
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!