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Jakobi Meyers is Becoming an X-Factor for NC State

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6 years ago

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The future looks bright for the NC State offense, and RS Sophomore Wide Receiver Jakobi Meyers is a huge reason why.

Senior Jaylen Samuels has been the X-Factor for the Wolfpack offense for the past couple of years, and there is truly no player like him.

But prior to the exodus of Samuels, Meyers is already showing how he’s becoming an X-Factor in the present, and will only become more of one in the years to come.

After the South Carolina game, you wouldn’t have been able to convince me that any receiver would receive more passing targets in 2017 than Jaylen Samuels. He had a ridiculous 15 catches in the season opener.

But over the past three games (Pitt, Notre Dame and Clemson) only one player has been targeted in the passing game more than Jakobi Meyers, and his name is Kelvin Harmon. Harmon also only has one more catch than Meyers over the past three games.

Over the past three games Meyers has been targeted 12 more times than Samuels.

I’m not making the case that Meyers is better than Samuels, but I am making the case that he already has the trust of his quarterback Ryan Finley. Finley’s eyes constantly default to looking his direction. When Finley needs to make a play on 3rd down, Meyers has seen the ball thrown his way more than anyone else. Playing in the slot, another camping ground of Samuels, Meyers is all over the field.

Against Clemson this past Saturday, Meyers had 9 catches (career high) for 105 yards and a touchdown, including a crucial one that shouldn’t have been overturned.

Even without Jaylen Samuels, who you could make a case is the best receiver ever to play at NC State (all I said is that you could make the case), I believe that the Wolfpack’s offense will be better next year, and Meyers is a key reason why. Like Samuels, Meyers is elusive, shifty, and has a knack for getting yards after the catch.

Don’t forget that Meyers was a 2-star dual threat quarterback out of Georgia when he came to NC State, and was in that position all throughout his redshirt season. It wasn’t until a week before the season opener last year that the decision was made to move Meyers to wide receiver. For that reason, I don’t think we are anywhere close to seeing Meyers at his full potential at this position.

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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.

NC State Football

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

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20 hours 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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1 day 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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4 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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5 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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