NC State Football
Camp Q’s: Will Kentavius Street Finally Emerge?
The NC State defensive line is getting all kinds of attention. In numerous media outlets the unit is ranked in the top-10, and even the top-5 nationally. The face of the unit is Bradley Chubb, and deservedly so. Chubb collected 22 tackles for loss last season, and 10.5 sacks. He will hear his name called in the first round of next years NFL draft. The next name you hear most often is B.J. Hill. I have no beef with this. In my opinion, Hill is really the glue of the Wolfpack D-Line. He didn’t have Chubb’s stats from last year, but he was a rock that couldn’t be moved in the middle. In the picture below, the other face is Justin Jones’. I love that Jones is finally getting the recognition that he deserves. He lived in the shadow of Street for awhile, but now he has stepped out into the light. In my opinion, Jones might ‘flash’ better than anyone else on the line.
Who is missing in the picture above?
The answer is Kentavius Street.
Somehow, Kentavius Street has become the forgotten man of the Wolfpack defensive line. Out of the 4 starters, Street had the second most tackles for loss (9) and sacks (5.5). Where’s the love for Street?
I think it comes down to this. For years people have expected Street to be putting up Chubb’s numbers, but it hasn’t happened.
Everyone knows the potential is there. He’s an athletic freak. Do we really need to show this again?
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=b7YDFzDXzWg
He squats 400 pounds, has a 40-inch vertical, runs a 4.58 40-yard dash on the laser, and bench presses 475 pounds. In July, Sports Illustrated released their Top 40 list of College Football ‘freaks’, and Street ranked 3rd.
Street has also dealt with being moved around on the line. He started his career at NC State at defensive end, then moved to defensive tackle, and then back to the end. Maybe playing two years in a row at end will bode well for Street.
He’s shown flashes at times, but he also has a tendency to disappear for stretches.
It’s not that Street hasn’t been good. He has been. But he CAN be great. The question is, will he be?
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.
AGTG Blessed to receive an offer from NC State 🤘🏾❤️ #PackPride pic.twitter.com/mIws42lE7L
— Kerry “KJ” Martin Jr. (@_thekerrymartin) May 1, 2024
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.
In Game film… pic.twitter.com/vunpDgPsBC
— Kerry “KJ” Martin Jr. (@_thekerrymartin) January 16, 2024
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
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.
