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Give BAM the Ball

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Give BAM the ball.

I mean no disrespect to Junior Running Back Ricky Person. Heck, I don’t even mind him being the starter.

With that being said, at minimum, Sophomore Zonovan Knight should get equal carries. I also wouldn’t have a problem with BAM having MORE carries.

Against Pitt, Person had 14 carries, and Knight had 7. The Wolfpack won, and I’m not trying to cry over spilled milk, but I can’t see a scenario where Person doubles Knight’s carries.

On the season, Person is averaging 4.9 yards per carry, compared to Knight’s 6.9 (5th in the ACC).

BAM’s ProFootballFocus grade through 3 games is 84.8, which ranks 2nd in the ACC, and 6th nationally. Person has a positive grade of 70.3 over the same span.

Facts are friends, and the Wolfpack is more likely to score when Knight touches the ball.

Again, I’m not taking anything away from Person. This is the best version we’ve seen of the heralded prospect in three years. He’s healthy, strong and has developed into a leader on this Wolfpack team.

But…

Knight is a weapon that can change the game anytime the ball is in his hand.

I’m not alone in this. Former All-ACC NC State Running Back Matt Dayes agrees with me.

Between Person, Knight and Houston, NC State quite possibly has the most talented running back room in the ACC. They all need to get reps…but BAM needs more.

Photo Credit

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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Dof87
Dof87
3 years ago

Guys that pass protect best are gonna get more snaps, particularly vs teams with an aggressive pass rush.

NC State Football

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

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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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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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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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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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