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Give BAM the Ball

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Give BAM the ball.

I mean no disrespect to Junior Running Back Ricky Person. Heck, I don’t even mind him being the starter.

With that being said, at minimum, Sophomore Zonovan Knight should get equal carries. I also wouldn’t have a problem with BAM having MORE carries.

Against Pitt, Person had 14 carries, and Knight had 7. The Wolfpack won, and I’m not trying to cry over spilled milk, but I can’t see a scenario where Person doubles Knight’s carries.

On the season, Person is averaging 4.9 yards per carry, compared to Knight’s 6.9 (5th in the ACC).

BAM’s ProFootballFocus grade through 3 games is 84.8, which ranks 2nd in the ACC, and 6th nationally. Person has a positive grade of 70.3 over the same span.

Facts are friends, and the Wolfpack is more likely to score when Knight touches the ball.

Again, I’m not taking anything away from Person. This is the best version we’ve seen of the heralded prospect in three years. He’s healthy, strong and has developed into a leader on this Wolfpack team.

But…

Knight is a weapon that can change the game anytime the ball is in his hand.

I’m not alone in this. Former All-ACC NC State Running Back Matt Dayes agrees with me.

Between Person, Knight and Houston, NC State quite possibly has the most talented running back room in the ACC. They all need to get reps…but BAM needs more.

Photo Credit

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.

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Dof87
Dof87
3 years ago

Guys that pass protect best are gonna get more snaps, particularly vs teams with an aggressive pass rush.

NC State Football

WATCH: Hollywood Smothers Leads NC State in Rushing at the Spring Game

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Redshirt Freshman Hollywood Smothers seemingly was the 3rd string Running Back in NC State’s 2024 Spring Game a few weeks back, but at the end of the game, he had more rushing yards than any other back.

Smothers rushed the ball 8 times for 75 yards. He possesses explosive speed, as well as excellent vision.

Check out Pack Insider’s Tape of Smothers from the Spring Game.





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NC State Football

NC State Offers FCS Interior Offensive Lineman D’Angalo Titialii

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NC State offered Interior Offensive Lineman D’Angalo Titialii (6’2″/320) today. After entering the Portal, the Wolfpack were the first to offer him.

Titialii spent his first three seasons at Portland State, which competes in the FCS. This year, he was the starting Center for the Vikings, and the year before he was their starting Left Guard. Over three seasons, Titialii started in 28 of the 32 games he played in.

Titialii is an intriguing prospect, considering he can play numerous positions on the Offensive Line.

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NC State Football

NC State Offers FCS DT Elinus Noel III

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After Elinus Noel III (6’2″/230) entered the Transfer Portal yesterday, it didn’t take long for NC State to extend an offer.

He also has picked up offers from Baylor and Temple.

Noel III played last year at Texas Southern, which is in the FCS. As a Junior, he had 52 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks in 10 games.

Prior to Texas Southern, Noel III spent his first two seasons at Nicholls State, where he recorded a total of 53 tackles.

247Sports ranked him as a 3-Star prospect in the 2021 recruiting class out of New Orleans (LA).

Noel III has 1 year of eligibility remaining.

With Nick Campbell entering the Transfer Portal, NC State is in the hunt for some depth at Nose Tackle. Even if the staff were to feel confident with what they have in JR Brandon Cleveland and RS-SODJ Jackson, the Wolfpack is in need of depth at the position.

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NC State Football

WATCH: In NC State’s Spring Game, Tight End Justin Joly Showed He is Going to Be Trouble for Opposing Defenses in ’24

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It was evident NC State Tight End Justin Joly (6’3″/235) is going to be a problem for opposing defenses after his performance in the 2024 Spring Game a few weeks back. He is an extremely athletic Tight End, but he’s also bigger and more physical than I expected.

According to my calculations, Joly had 3 receptions for 56 yards and a touchdown. He started things off with a 3-yard touchdown in the corner of the end zone. He followed that up with a 16 yard catch across the middle through contact. Finally, Joly was the recipient of a double-reverse flea flicker, from RB Demarcus Jones II to WR Kevin Concepcion to QB Grayson McCall to him, for a 37-yard gain.

Joly transferred to NC State this offseason from UCONN, and he was the #2 Tight End in the Transfer Portal according to ON3. He had an incredible Sophomore campaign this past year, catching 56 passes for 578 yards and 2 touchdowns. Joly had 4 receptions for 38 yards in the season opener against the Wolfpack.

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