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Previewing NC State’s Opponent in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl: Maryland

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1 year ago

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Maryland is led by Junior Quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa, who earned 2nd Team All-Big Ten honors this season. Tagovailoa completed 68.6% of his passes for 2,787 yards and 17 touchdowns (6 interceptions) with a passing efficiency rating of 147.2 in 11 games.

One of Tagovailoa’s challenges in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl will be the fact that 4 of his receiving targets have opted out of the bowl game: Wide Receivers Rakim Jarrett, Dontay Demus Jr., Jacob Copeland, and Tight End CJ Dippre. Jarrett tied for the team lead with 40 receptions for 471 yards and 3 touchdowns. Demus and Copeland combined for 48 catches and 599 yards and 3 touchdowns. Dippre had 30 catches for 314 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Tagovailoa will have to lean heavily on Senior Jeshuan Jones, like he has all year long. Jones led the team in receptions (40), yards (478) and touchdowns (4). Tight CJ Dippre might have transferred to Alabama, but Maryland still has Sophomore Tight End Corey Dyches, who outperformed Dippre statistically, with 35 receptions for 449 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Considering the fact that Maryland ranked 3rd in the Big Ten in Passing Yards per game (259.3), the loss of these receivers is less than optimal for the Terrapins.

Inevitably, new receiving targets will have to step up for the Terrapins, but it is safe to assume that they will lean heavily on their running attack that is led by 2 Freshmen. Roman Hemby rushed for 924 yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging 5.6 yards per carry. Hemby also ranks 4th on the team with 31 receptions for 276 yards and a touchdown. Antwain Littleton averaged 5.1 yards per carry, and rushed for 6 touchdowns.

Maryland ranked 7th in the Big Ten in Rushing Yards per Game (146.8)

On Defense, the Terrapins are led by two Seniors: Defensive Back Jakorian Bennett and Defensive Lineman Ami Finau, who both received All-Big Ten Honorable Mention. Bennett led Maryland with 10 pass breakups and Finau had 5 tackles for loss. While Finau and Bennett were the two recognized in the All-Big Ten voting, it was Freshman Linebacker Jaishawn Barham (78.7) and Junior Safety Beau Brade (74.8) with the two highest grades on the Terrapin defense according to ProFootballFocus. Barham led Maryland in tackles for loss (6.5) and sacks (4). Brade led Maryland in tackles (78), forced fumbles (2), and interceptions (2), and also had 4 tackles for loss and 5 pass breakups.

The Terrapin defense ranked 8th in the Big Ten in Scoring Defense (24.1), 10th in Total Defense (362.2), 9th in Rush Defense (142.7) and 11th in Pass Defense (219.5).

Maryland has had 14 players enter the transfer portal, and 4 opt out for the NFL Draft, and will not play in the Mayo Bowl.

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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

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

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8 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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19 hours 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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3 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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