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Pack in the Pros

Former NC State Safety Josh Jones Makes Seahawks 53-Man Roster

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Former NC State Safety Josh Jones has made the 53-man roster for the Seattle Seahawks.

Jones’ NFL career hasn’t gone as expected after being drafted in the 2nd round by the Green Bay Packers in 2017. After 2 years in Green Bay, he was waived with a non-football illness in August of 2019, after playing in 29 out of a possible 32 games (12 starts). Two months later he was scooped up by the Cowboys, and was placed on the Practice Squad. He was called up in November, and played in 6 games as a reserve, before being waived at the end of December. Jones was then picked up by Jacksonville, and entered the 2020 season as the starter, and started all 13 games he played in, prior to the 2021 season.

Last season was a roller coaster for Jones, playing 6 games with Indy and 4 games with Seattle, after being signed to the Practice Squad of each team initially.

The Seahawks believed in Jones enough to sign him once again in May of this year to a 1-year contract worth $1.09 million, but only the $50,000 signing bonus was guaranteed.

A roster spot was not a lock for Jones, but after being cut 4 times in the past 2.5 years, he has found a home in Seattle at the start of the 2022 season.

Jones had his thyroid removed in the Spring of last year, and is a player “reborn” according to himself, and Seahawks Head Coach Pete Carroll.

“Yeah, he’s had a very, very obvious camp,” coach Pete Carroll said. “I mean, he’s made plays in the running game, in the passing game. He probably has more picks than anyone. He’s playing all of the spots. We’re able to put him all over the place. He’s shown learning ability fine.

“He’s almost a reborn football player, to me. He had some issues over the years that things didn’t work out. …We came here and we gave him a clean slate and said ‘Start all over. I don’t care what happened before, we’re starting all over. You have a fresh start here and let’s go.’

“He’s been really important. It’s been a big opportunity for him with Ryan Neal not out there, and he’s taking advantage of that.” (The News Tribune)

 

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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Pack in the Pros

Mike Tomlin’s Thoughts on the Steelers Drafting NC State’s Payton Wilson

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Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin was ecstatic that NC State Linebacker Payton Wilson was available for Pittsburgh to pick up with the 98th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.

“We had to get comfortable with his medical and we brought him in on a pre draft visit. We allowed our medical experts to really get a good evaluation of him. We talked to him about his injury history. We were at a place of comfort. And so from that perspective, man, we’re really excited about having him.” (Link)

“Man, we’re really excited about Peyton. When we turn his tape on, we see him making all the type of plays you need linebackers to make. He’s a volume tackle player. He makes plays in the passing game from a coverage perspective via interception and pass breakup. He gets after the quarterback in the blitz game. He’s got a very well-rounded skillset. He’s a fluid mover. He can run. Had an opportunity to lay some real up close eyes on him down there in Mobile at the Senior Bowl, we’re thankful we had an opportunity to get him. He’s got all the hardware that comes with some of those things that I described being a Butkus Award winner and so forth. We had to get comfortable with his medical and we brought him in on a pre draft visit. We allowed Our medical experts to really get a good evaluation of him. We talked to him about his injury history. We were at a place of comfort. And so from that perspective, man, we’re really excited about having him.” (Link)

“I think you could characterize it as surprised. I mean, he is an award-winning linebacker, Butkus Award winner. Had an opportunity to get really familiar with him down in Mobile as well. But the linebackers themselves weren’t coming off the board at that juncture. So sometimes they make runs on positions at different times and it hadn’t been a lot of linebackers to that point. I think what he was number five or so.” (Link)

“We’re really excited about Payton. When we turn his tape on, we see him making all the types of plays you need linebackers to make. He’s a volume tackle player. He makes plays in the passing game from a coverage perspective via interception and pass breakup. He gets after the quarterback in the blitz game. He’s got a very well-rounded skill set. He’s a fluid mover. We had to get comfortable with his medical, and we were. We brought him in on a pre-draft visit to allow our medical experts to really get a good evaluation of him. We talked to him about his injury history. We were at a place of comfort, and so from that perspective, we’re really excited about having him.” (Link)

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Pack in the Pros

Payton Wilson will Wear #41 for the Pittsburgh Steelers

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Former NC State Linebacker Payton Wilson, who was drafted by Pittsburgh in 3rd round on Friday night, will wear the #41 for the Steelers.

Wilson spent his entire collegiate career at NC State wearing the #11. He wore the #11 at Orange High School.

It will take some getting used to recognize him in the #41 jersey. Currently, Steelers Wide Receiver Van Jefferson is wearing the #11.

Here’s a look at other Pittsburgh players who have worn the #41.

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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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NC State Football

NC State PK Brayden Narveson Signs Undrafted Free Agent Deal with the Titans

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NC State Place Kicker Brayden Narveson has signed an Undrafted Free Agent Deal with the Tennessee Titans.

In his one season in Raleigh, Narveson made 18 of his 23 Field Goal attempts for the Wolfpack, and made all 38 Extra Point attempts. Narveson made some history in his one season at NC State, kicking a 57-yard Field Goal against Duke, breaking the school record for the longest Field Goal.

Narveson ranked 4th in the ACC in Field Goals attempted (23), and 5th in Field Goals made (18) this season. He ranked 9th in conference in scoring (7.1 points per game).

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