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Former Pack Linebacker “Thunder Dan” Burnette Promoted

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2002 team MVP now Assistant Head Strength & Conditioning Coach for Football

Raleigh, NC — NC State head football coach Dave Doeren has announced that former Wolfpack linebacker Dantonio Burnette has been promoted to assistant head strength & conditioning coach for football. “Thunder Dan” is entering his 10th year as a member of the Pack’s strength and conditioning staff and served as an assistant S&C coach in 2013.

“It’s great to have an opportunity to work with someone as special as ‘Thunder,’” said Doeren. “NC State is more than a job for him, it’s a way of life. Because of that and the positive way he deals with our players, I wanted to elevate him to this new position.”

A four-time letterwinner at linebacker from 1999-2002, Burnette was named first-team All-ACC as a senior in 2002, was the Wolfpack’s co-MVP and served as a team captain. He ranks second in NC State career history in tackles with 476, while his 41 career tackles for loss rank fourth. A standout in the weight room as well, he earned the team’s most valuable lifter award in 2001.

Burnette worked for three seasons as a graduate assistant with the Wolfpack strength and conditioning program and five years as a full-time assistant before spending 2012 as an assistant strength and conditioning coach at Pittsburgh. He returned to NC State in January of 2013 to join Jason Veltkamp’s staff.

Originally from Warner Robins, Ga., Burnette graduated in 2002 with a degree in sports management and earned his master’s in higher education and sports management in 2007. He is a certified member of the NSCA and USA Weightlifting.

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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 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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