The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1000643
JULY 2018 ■ 109 FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2018 No. Player Year Pos. 1. Ryan Finley 5th-Sr. QB Had an opportunity to leave for the NFL Draft after last season, but instead chose to come back to Raleigh with an opportunity to establish his name high in the record books in all the major passing statistical categories. 2. Germaine Pratt 5th-Sr. LB His debut season at linebacker last fall showed enough promise to heighten ex‑ pectations for the athletically gifted former safety. With the heavy losses in the front six, he is being counted upon to be the leader of the defense. 3. Kelvin Harmon Jr. WR NC State has a proud tradition of NFL receivers that has slowed down in the past decade, but Harmon has the potential to join the likes of Mike Quick, Haywood Jeffires, Torry Holt and Jerricho Cotchery, among others, as successful pros. 4. Darian Roseboro Sr. DE Many thought going into last season that he could have joined the other four de‑ fensive linemen in the NFL Draft, but he is back for his senior season and will be counted on to be the Pack's top pass rusher. 5. Jakobi Meyers R-Jr. WR The breakout star last year on offense can be a mismatch for defenses from the slot with his combination of size (6‑2, 203 pounds) and athleticism. 6. Tyler Jones 5th-Sr. OT He has excelled at protecting Finley's blindside and is entering his third year as the starter at left tackle. 7. Garrett Bradbury 5th-Sr. C He will handle pre‑snap reads and calls for a veteran line, and was named to the spring watch list for the Rimington Trophy (na‑ tion's top center). 8. Stephen Louis 5th-Sr. WR The leader of NC State's talented receiv‑ ing corps and also a big‑play threat. His value to the team was shown when he was awarded the coveted No. 1 jersey. 9. Nick McCloud Jr. CB He is the Pack's most experienced corner and will be responsible for covering some of the other teams' best receivers. 10. Louis Acceus So. LB The middle of the defense is always an im‑ portant position on the field, and he is the leading contender to handle that role for the Wolfpack. He was a touted signee who should add a layer of athleticism that has been missing from the linebacker corps in recent years. No. Player Year Pos. 11. Reggie Gallaspy II Sr. RB He is expected to lead that rushing attack this fall, and will try to become the third different Pack running back in three years to eclipse 1,000 yards. 12. Stephen Griffin R-Jr. NIC The transfer from Tennessee is expected to make an immediate impact on NC State's defense. He made a big impression at nickel in the spring, and that's a vital position in the Wolfpack defense against spread offenses. 13. Eurndraus Bryant Sr. DT Like Roseboro, he has been waiting his turn to be an official starter along the Wolf‑ pack defensive line, but for the past two seasons he has been treated as one by the NC State defensive coaches. He will an‑ chor the middle of the line. 14. Terronne Prescod 5th-Sr. OG Joins Bradbury and Jones as fifth‑year seniors anchoring the offensive line, and he may be the most versatile performer on the unit. 15. Christopher Dunn Fr. PK NC State's kicking struggles in recent years have been well documented. He is the fourth placekicker in the past four sea‑ sons to have a chance to be a reliable spe‑ cialist, and the hope is the touted freshman can end the woes. 16. Jarius Morehead R-Jr. S Turned in his first full season as a starter last fall, and with a year under his belt he should be a more consistent performer on the back end of the defense. 17. James Smith-Williams R-Jr. DE The former linebacker is one of the most athletic defensive linemen on the roster and is the leading contender to start op‑ posite Roseboro up front. 18. Ricky Person Jr. Fr. RB It is a rare year that a running back makes it through an entire campaign injury free, thus NC State is going to need more than Gallaspy carrying the football. Person was the most highly touted prospect to sign with NC State in 2018 and enrolled early. 19. Joshua Fedd-Jackson So. OG Someone has to replace four‑year starter Tony Adams at right guard, and he ap‑ peared to lock down that responsibility during the spring. 20. A.J. Cole Sr. P With the defense rebuilding following the loss of eight senior starters, his all‑confer‑ ence capability punting the football could help the Pack defense out by pinning op‑ ponents deep. No. Player Year Pos. 21. Shug Frazier R-So. DT The 6‑3, 316‑pounder enters preseason camp as the favorite to start next to Bryant in the middle. 22. Justin Witt R-So. OT The most wide‑open competition on the offensive line is at right tackle, and he is the leading contender following the spring. 23. Cary Angeline R-So. TE He will not be eligible at the start of the season after his transfer from USC, but when he does step onto the field in time for ACC play the hope is he can provide an immediate boost to the offense. 24. Dexter Wright 5th-Sr. S He entered last season as the starter at safety, but an injury in the opener against South Carolina reduced his role for most of the year. The 6‑2, 232‑pounder's athleti‑ cism can be a huge asset on the back end if he can stay healthy. 25. Chris Ingram So. CB Last fall, head coach Dave Doeren said that he had some of the best natural cover skills on the roster, and he will be one of the players competing for a starting job in the secondary. Former quarterback Jakobi Meyers had a break- out season at slot receiver last fall, hauling in 63 receptions for 727 yards and four touchdowns. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN