NC State Football
Camp Q’s: How will Nyheim Hines adjust?
Speedster Nyheim Hines has spent his first two seasons at NC State as a wide receiver (63 receptions/781 yards/1 TD), but in 2017 he will be returning to his roots. Coming out of Garner High School, Hines was a 4-star running back, ranked 16th nationally at the position by ESPN. As a Trojan, he compiled 6,242 rushing yards and 126 touchdowns.
When Hines arrived at NC State, his rushing skillsset was put on hold, because the the Wolfpack backfield was clogged with Shadrach Thornton and Matt Dayes. Hines’ time would come, but he was a player they couldn’t keep off of the field. Hence, the move to wide receiver.
For the past two seasons, Hines has had the opportunity to look down the line of scrimmage and watch Dayes handle the pigskin with greatness, finishing his career as one of the greatest running backs in NC State history.
With Dayes now wearing a Browns uniform in the NFL, Hines time has officially come. In two seasons, Hines has rushed 61 times for an average of 4.7 yards per carry, but some of those carries came on end-arounds from WR position.
After being spread out wide for two seasons, how will Hines handle the return to running back? That is a legitimate question for the Wolfpack as they enter camp today. In fact, that’s a legitimate question for everyone that covers the ACC.
The ACC Digital Network listed Hines as their #3 running back in the ACC who is ready for a breakout.
Fortunately for Hines, he doesn’t have to carry the pressure of the backfield on his shoulders. The Wolfpack also returns explosive Senior Dakwa Nichols (73 carries/265 career rushing yards) and the bulldozing Junior Reggie Gallaspy, who was a 4-star running back coming out of high school himself, and averaged 4.8 yards per carry last year.
Hines and the rest of the backfield have huge shoes to fill after the exodus of Dayes. All 3 of these running backs will touch the ball in 2017.
Will Hines standout amongst the rest?
NC State Football
NC State Ranks 8th in Players Selected in the NFL Draft in the ACC in the Last 10 Years
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
NC State Cornerback Shyheim Battle has received an invitation from the New York Jets to participate in their Rookie Mini Camp.
NC State’s Shyheim Battle has been invited to rookie mini camp with the Jets with the opportunity to earn a priority free agent contract. #ncstate #NFLDraft #wpn
— Pat Welter WRAL (@PatrickWelter) April 28, 2024
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.
