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NC State DT, Alim McNeill, Drafted in 3rd Round by Detroit Lions

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Friday afternoon, former Wolfpack standout Alim McNeill heard his name. Selected 72nd overall in the third round, McNeill was drafted by the Detroit Lions. It won’t take long for him to make a difference.

The Lion entered last year as some experts pick to be a dark horse Super Bowl contender. Yet by midseason, they sat at the bottom of the NFC North with their Head Coach and GM fired. When all was said and done, they finished at 5-11 with the 28th ranked rush defense.

That’s where McNeill comes in. The 6’2″ 320 pounder from Raleigh will bring much needed support to the defensive interior of the Lions. Through 30 games with the Wolfpack, McNeill had 17.5 tackles for loss with 10 sacks. An athletic stud that has both power and speed, McNeill caught the eye of Mel Kiper Jr. early.

“A big body. He could be a throwback to what we were used to seeing in the 80s and 90s.” – Mel Kiper Jr.

With Detroit’s 2nd rounder DT Levi Onwuzurike (Washington), there’s no doubt come Sunday’s in fall, the Lions will be in a much better spot defensively, albeit young.

NC State now has 20 NFL draft picks since 2016. Nearly half of those in the third round or better with 7 being part of the D-Line crew. So while we talk about being QBU, maybe we should also start putting more emphasis on the big boys in the trenches.

Passionate State fan that just wants to win...something...like anything...

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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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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

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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 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 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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