NC State 2024 Linebacker Preview

NC State’s 2024 Football season kicks off tomorrow night at 7pm, with the Wolfpack hosting the Western Carolina Catamounts. Before kickoff, lets preview NC State’s Linebackers.

1st String

SAM – Senior Devon Betty (6’1″/227)
MIKE – Redshirt Junior Caden Fordham (6’1″/232)
WILL – Redshirt Junior Sean Brown (6’0″/216)

Betty started 12 of the 13 games he played in last year, but last year he played in the Middle. This season he is moving back to the outside, which is where he believes he plays his best ball. In 2023, Betty had 33 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 3 QB hurries and 2 pass breakups. He played in 392 snaps. Betty brings a wealth of experience to the Linebacker room this season, having played in 46 games (starting in 16), totaling 794 snaps. His PFF grade was 63.5. Betty is filling the shoes that Jaylon Scott wore last year at the SAM Linebacker position.

Fordham is basically swapping positions with Betty. In 2023, Fordham served as Scott’s backup at the SAM Linebacker position. Despite only starting in 2 games, he actually played more snaps than Betty did in 2023 (410). Fordham finished his Redshirt Sophomore season with 53 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 2 QB hurries and 1 pass breakup. His PFF grade last year was 61.1.

Brown moved from Safety to Linebacker this offseason, and he will be filling Payton Wilson’s shoes at the WILL Linebacker position. Brown has put on 9 pounds of muscle since last season. In 2023, Brown started in 11 of the 13 games he played in, tallying 66 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 4 QB hurries, 2 interceptions, 3 pass breakups and 1 forced fumble. Brown’s PFF Grade was 62.5.

Betty was adamant with the media that the Linebacker room “is rolling” and that their mantra this year is “no drop off.” He understands that everyone is expecting there to be drop-off because of the exodus of Consensus All-American Payton Wilson. Betty says people Sean Brown is more than up for the task, and he can’t wait for people to see what he can do.

Transparently, the PFF grades of all three players leaves something to be desired. The glass half full view: Brown is in a better position at Linebacker, Betty is back outside where he plays best and Fordham finally gets to build consistency as a starter.

2nd String

SAM – Redshirt Freshman Kamal Bonner (6’2″/214)

MIKE – Redshirt Junior Jayland Parker (6’1″/220)

WILL – Redshirt Freshman Kelvon McBride (6’3″/227)

Ever since arriving on campus last year, there has been positive buzz surrounding McBride and Bonner. McBride has put on 17 pounds since last year, and Bonner has put on 19 pounds. For what it’s worth, Bonner was running with the 1’s at the first Spring Practice. I expect both of them to get playing time this season in rotation.

No offense to Parker, but I’m not sure how much of the field he will see this year. He only played 3 snaps last year.

Make sure to check out our other position group previews:

Quarterbacks

Running Backs

Wide Receivers

Tight Ends