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ATHLON: NC State’s Wild Card Players in 2018

Published

6 years ago

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Yesterday Athlon ran a piece breaking down a “Wild Card” player on each side of the ball for each ACC football team heading into 2018.

Here’s their definition of a “Wild Card” player:

While getting returning stars to perform at a high level is imperative for success, the development of players that have not reached their maximum potential is equally important. Here is an offensive player and a defender for each ACC team whose play could make a large impact on his team’s success. (Athlon)

NC State’s 2018 Wild Card Players According to Athlon

Offense: Reggie Gallaspy, RB

Ryan Finley is a very good quarterback and he has some impressive targets, most notably Kelvin Harmon. But the Pack need a running back to replace Nyheim Hines. Gallaspy was solid as the No. 2 option in 2017 but he hopes to perhaps double the 506 rushing yards he produced last year.

Defense: Eurndraus Bryant, DT

When a team loses as much on defense as NC State did following last season, a lot of players have to step up. But it starts on the front line and Bryant has the potential to be a disruptor in the run game. (Athlon)

While NC State fans are excited about incoming freshman running back Ricky Person, and rightfully so, don’t forget about Reggie Gallaspy. Through three seasons in a reserve role, Gallaspy averages 4.6 yards per carry, and has rushed for 13 touchdowns (7 last season). While Person is the future, and will make an immediate impact, NC State needs Gallaspy’s experience to provide stability and consistency in the Wolfpack backfield. People forget that Gallaspy was a big recruiting commitment in the 2014 class. He was a 4-star recruit, and the #11 player in the state of North Carolina according to Rivals. Gallaspy led the state of North Carolina in rushing with 349 carries for 3,318 yards and 52 touchdowns for Southern Guilford in 2014.

All 4 of NC State’s starting defensive linemen were drafted within the first 4 rounds of this years NFL Draft, but that doesn’t mean you should panic. The Wolfpack return two players with tremendous experience in Darian Roseboro and Eurndraus Bryant on the defensive line. Roseboro is the name people remember, because he was a big-time recruit, and even considered entering the draft after last season playing in a reserve role, but don’t sleep on Bryant. He has played 300+ snaps each of the past two seasons. At 325 pounds, he’s shockingly explosive and quick-twitched. Bryant was able to bring down Louisville athletic freak Lamar Jackson for two sacks last season, if you needed data to prove it. The Wolfpack coaching staff has spoken highly of Bryant for years now, and they have been preparing him for this moment.

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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

Congrats to NC State Football’s Spring Graduates!

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1 day ago

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May 3, 2024

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Congratulations to the 7 NC State Football Players that just graduated this Spring.

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2024 Football Spring Graduates

Linebacker Devon Betty (1 year of eligibility)

Defensive End Davin Vann (1 year of eligibility)

Cornerback Aydan White (1 year of eligibility)

Offensive Guard Anthony Carter Jr. (2 years of eligibility)

Offensive Lineman Matt McCabe (2 years of eligibility)

Offensive Tackle Patrick Matan (2 years of eligibility)

Offensive Lineman Brendan Lawson (no longer on the roster)

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NC State Football

Proposed Bill in the NC House Would Require NC State & UNC To Play One Another, as well as ECU, UNCC and App St.

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2 days ago

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May 3, 2024

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A bill has been proposed by members of the North Carolina House of Representatives that would force NC State and UNC to play one another, as well as East Carolina, UNC Charlotte and Appalachian State.

According to House Bill 965, which you can read here in full, NC State and UNC would be required to play one another annually in Football, Men’s Basketball and Women’s Basketball. The Wolfpack and the Tar Heels would also be forced to play a game annually in all three sports against either ECU, UNC-Charlotte or App St. Every six years, NC State and UNC would be required to have played a home and away game against each of the three school in all three sports.

Here’s the exact wording from the proposed bill:

Competition Required. – A high-enrollment institution shall do all of the following in each eligible sport: (1) Every academic year, play at least one home or one away game against (i) another high-enrollment institution and (ii) an eligible constituent institution that is not a high-enrollment institution. (2) Every six academic years, play at least one home and one away game against each eligible constituent institution that is not a high-enrollment institution. A high-enrollment institution shall alternate home and away games that are scheduled against the same eligible constituent institution that is not a high-enrollment institution.

For glossary of terms being referenced above:

For the purposes of this bill, “High-enrollment institutions” = NC State and UNC, while “Eligible constituent institutions” = East Carolina, UNC Charlotte and Appalachian State.

It’s worth noting that NC State already has games schedule against each of these teams home-and-away in Football between now and 2031.

2025 – East Carolina (H)

2025 – @ App St.

2026 – App St. (H)

2028 – @ East Carolina

2030 – Charlotte (H)

2031 – @ Charlotte

What are your thoughts?

For more details, check out this article at WRAL.

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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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3 days 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 Sits in the Top-20 in 247’s Post-Spring 2024 Preseason Poll

Published

3 days 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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