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NC State 2023 Season Defensive Player Grades

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The 2023 football season is officially over for NC State. Here’s a look at how the Wolfpack’s defensive players graded out over 13 games.

Defensive Players (75+ Snaps)

Senior Linebacker Isaiah Moore – 84.2
Junior Linebacker Drake Thomas – 82.2
Sophomore Cornerback Aydan White – 81.0
Senior Safety Cyrus Fagan – 78.7
Sophomore Nose Tackle Joshua Harris – 77.9
Senior Nickel Tyler Baker-Williams – 77.8
Sophomore Defensive End Davin Vann – 75.3
Sophomore Linebacker Devon Betty – 73.0
Junior Defensive End Savion Jackson – 71.5
Sophomore Cornerback Shyheim Battle – 70.6
Junior Safety Jakeen Harris – 69.8
Junior Linebacker Payton Wilson – 69.2
Sophomore Nickel Devan Boykin – 68.4
Senior Nose Tackle Cory Durden – 68.1
Senior Safety Tanner Ingle – 66.7
Freshman Defensive End Travli Price – 65.3
Junior Linebacker Jaylon Scott – 62.0
Sophomore Defensive End CJ Clark – 55.2
Senior Cornerback Derrek Pitts – 50.8

Notes

Aydan White was the 5th highest graded Cornerback in the ACC. Tyler Baker-Williams ranks 6th.

Isaiah Moore was the 3rd highest graded Linebacker in the ACC. Drake Thomas ranks 4th.

Cyrus Fagan was the 6th highest graded Safety in the ACC.

Joshua Harris is the 7th highest graded Interior Defensive Lineman.


Even though I only recorded players with 75 snaps or more, I do want to point out a few notable players with less snaps, that will be impact players for NC State in 2023.

NC State is losing both of their starting safeties from 2022 (Tanner Ingle and Cyrus Fagan). Good news: Rakeim Ashford and Sean Brown both graded well in the limited action they saw, with grades of 80.7 and 79.9 respectively.

Also, Cornerback Derrek Pitts will be gone in 2023. The Wolfpack played like they had three cornerbacks in 2022: Aydan White, Shyheim Battle and Derrek Pitts. Who will be in the rotation with White and Battle in 2023? Teshaun Smith had a grade of 78.8 in limited action in 2022.

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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NC State Football

WATCH QB Grayson McCall’s Tape from the 2024 NC State Spring Game

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NC State will have a new Quarterback in 2024 in Coastal Carolina Transfer Grayson McCall. A few weeks back, McCall looked sharp in the 2024 Spring Game, completing 16 of his 20 pass attempts for 205 yards and a touchdown. McCall was accuracy and composure were evident in his first time playing in Carter-Finley Stadium.

Check out McCall’s tape from the Spring Game.

 

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NC State Football

NC State Legend QB Roman Gabriel Passes Away at the Age of 83

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NC State legend Quarterback Roman Gabriel has passed away at the age of 83.

Gabriel’s Accolades

  • 2 time ACC Player of the Year (1960 & 1961)
  • 2 time 1st Team All-American (1960 & 1961)
  • 2 time 1st Team All-ACC (1960 & 1961)
  • 1st ACC QB to throw for 1,000 yards in a season
  • Left NC State with 22 school records and 9 ACC records
  • #1 pick in the AFL and #2 pick in the NFL
  • 16-year NFL career with the Rams & Eagles
  • 4 time Pro Bowler
  • NFL MVP in 1969
  • Led the NFL in Passing Yards in 1973
  • Led the NFL in Touchdown Passes in 1969 & 1973
  • Inaugural member of the NC State Hall of Fame
  • Ranks 1st all-time in Rams history in Touchdown Passes & 3rd in Passing Yards
  • First player to have their jersey number retired at NC State, on January 20, 1962.

Praying for the Gabriel family!

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NC State Baseball

NC State has Dominated UNC in Athletics in 2023-24

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After NC State clinched a series victory over UNC last night in Baseball, I thought it would be a good time to relish in how the Wolfpack has dominated the Tar Heels Athletic Program as a whole in 2023-24.

The Wolfpack Baseball team has won the first two games in the series against the Tar Heels, clinching a series victory over UNC for the first time since 2021. It marks the first time NC State has won a series against the Tar Heels in Raleigh since 2016.

NC State defeated UNC in Volleyball 3-1, winning in Chapel Hill for the first time in 25 years. The Tar Heels had won the last 5 matches against the Wolfpack.

The Wolfpack defeated the Tar Heels 39-20 in Football in Carter-Finley Stadium. It marked the 3rd consecutive win over UNC.

NC State lost both regular season games to UNC in Men’s Basketball, but when it mattered most, the Wolfpack defeated the Tar Heels in the ACC Championship Game 84-76, winning their first title since 1987.

The Wolfpack Women’s Basketball team lost to their rival in Chapel Hill, but defeated UNC 63-59 in Reynolds Coliseum. NC State has won 5 of the last 7 against UNC.

In Gymnastics, NC State defeated UNC 196.725-194.925 in Raleigh. This marked the 3rd straight victory for the Wolfpack over the Tar Heels.

NC State’s Men & Women’s Swimming & Diving teams both beat UNC. The Men won 258-93, and the Women won 196-157.

The Wolfpack Wrestling team defeated UNC 33-6 in Reynolds Coliseum. NC State has won 11 straight Duals against the Tar Heels.

The NC State Men’s Tennis team defeated UNC 4-0, winning against their rival in back-to-back years.

The Wolfpack Women’s Tennis team has defeated the Tar Heels 4-3 on two occasions thus far this season, and will face their rival again today.

The Cross Country teams didn’t have individual meets against UNC, but the Women obviously beat them, because they won the ACC Championship. The Men didn’t, finishing 8th in the Conference, with the Tar Heels finishing 1st.

The only other NC State athletic team that didn’t taste victory against UNC this year was the Women’s Soccer team, losing 0-4 in Raleigh.

Of course, each of these NC State athletic teams has much higher goals than just beating their rival, but there’s no denying how sweet it is to beat the Tar Heels.

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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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