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ESPN: How NC State Can Make the College Football Playoff in 2024

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2 months ago

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ESPN just released an article this morning breaking down how every team in their Way-Too-Early Preseason Top-25 can make the College Football Playoff, which will be expanded to 12 teams in 2024.

The Wolfpack ranks 18th in ESPN’s Way-Too-Early Preseason Top-25. Here’s what Heather Dinich of ESPN thinks is necessary for NC State to do in order to make the 12-team College Football Playoff.

18. NC State Wolfpack

How to impress the committee: Win the ACC and win on the road. NC State has a chance to beat Tennessee in nearby Charlotte, N.C., but it also has conference road trips to Clemson, Cal, Georgia Tech on a Thursday night and at rival North Carolina. While Cal might not be ranked, the committee will still appreciate the difficulty of the cross-country trip to its new ACC opponent. If the Pack loses to the Vols but still wins the ACC, it will earn a playoff bid as one of the five highest-ranked conference champs. If Florida State wins the ACC, the winner of the NC State-Clemson game will have the edge if both are in contention for an at-large spot.

How the path will be different in the 12-team field: NC State doesn’t have to be concerned about being excluded if it wins the league. It’s possible, though, that if NC State loses to Tennessee and loses to an ACC opponent — finishing as a two-loss ACC champ — it could be snubbed for a first-round bye. If there is an undefeated conference champion from the American Athletic Conference, MAC, Sun Belt, C-USA or MWC that is ranked higher, the Pack could wind up as the fifth-best conference champ guaranteed a spot. If NC State doesn’t win the ACC, it could face an uphill battle for one of the at-large spots without enough statement wins or convincing performances.

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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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NC State Football

Akron Safety Kerry Martin Jr. will Take an Official Visit at NC State Next Week

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5 mins ago

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May 2, 2024

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Akron Safety Kerry Martin Jr. (6’1″/195) confirmed with me that he will be taking an Official Visit to NC State next week beginning on May 7th.

After receiving an offer from NC State yesterday, it didn’t take him long to set up the visit.

Martin Jr. is familiar with NC State, because he was recruited by Wolfpack Defensive Coordinator Tony Gibson before he left West Virginia to come to Raleigh. Even though he never coached him, a relationship was established.

Martin Jr.’s connections to NC State are deeper than that. Former NC State Cornerback Derrek Pitts, who is currently a member of the Tampa Bay Bucs, is his cousin.

This past year, Martin Jr. recorded 45 tackles, 2 interceptions and 6 pass breakups for Akron, starting in 9 of the 11 games he played in. His PFF Grade was 68.9.

In 2022, he had 53 tackles, 1 interception and 1 pass breakup, starting in 9 of the 11 games he played in. Martin Jr.’s PFF Grade was 60.9.

In 2019, as a Freshman for West Virginia, Martin Jr. earned PFF Freshman All-American honors, recording a grade of 70.6, with 50 tackles and 3 pass breakups.

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NC State Football

NC State Sits in the Top-20 in 247’s Post-Spring 2024 Preseason Poll

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11 hours ago

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May 1, 2024

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247’s Brad Crawford released his Post-Spring 2024 Preseason College Football Top-25 recently, and NC State moved up 1 spot to #20.

ACC Teams in the Top-25

11. FSU

14. Miami

16. Clemson

20. NC State

24. Virginia Tech

25. Louisville

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NC State Football

NC State Ranks 8th in Players Selected in the NFL Draft in the ACC in the Last 10 Years

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3 days ago

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April 29, 2024

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The 2024 NFL Draft has come and gone, and NC State had two players drafted: Linebacker Payton Wilson in the 3rd round, and Center Dylan McMahon in the 6th round.

Over the past 10 years, NC State has produced 25 NFL Draft picks, and 3 1st round picks. The 25 Draft Picks ranks 8th in the ACC, and the 3 1st Round picks is tied for 7th.

NC State produced 18 NFL Draft Picks in the first 5 Draft’s of Dave Doeren’s tenure. Only 8 Wolfpack players have been selected in the past 5 NFL Drafts.

Players selected in the NFL Draft under Dave Doeren:

2024

Payton Wilson, LB – Pittsburgh – 3rd – 98th
Dylan McMahon, C – Philadelphia – 6th – 190th

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NC State Football

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

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4 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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