The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1000643
142 ■ THE WOLFPACKER There were probably four players in the class who appeared destined for promising careers, to only to have their time curtailed by injuries. The most notable may have been defensive tackle Monty Nelson, who had been considered the next big thing on the defensive front. He started his career by making two tackles for loss as a true fresh- man in the 2013 season opener against Louisiana Tech, and he had 3.5 hits behind the line of scrimmage in eight ACC games. A knee injury, though, would limit Nelson for most of the rest of his career, and he never emerged as the NFL prospect that many suspected he could become pre-injury. Nelson was not the only defensive tackle in the 2013 class that generated considerable buzz during fall camp that year. Kenton Gibbs was also impressing and according to head coach Dave Do- eren was a lock to play as a true freshman, perhaps even starting, before rupturing his Achilles tendon. After injuring his Achilles a second time, Gibbs had to take a medical hardship. Wide receiver JuMichael Ramos was NC State's best receiver in 2015 and had high hopes entering his senior season in 2016, but that would not happen due a serious knee injury. He redshirted that year and when he returned was a shell of his previous self, recording just two receptions in 2017. Cornerback Sean Paul played on special teams as a true freshman, a precursor to what was expected to be a larger role down the road, but various injuries forced him to take a medical hardship before he could make a meaningful contribution on defense. BY MATT CARTER S ome members of the 2013 class have the distinction of being the last recruits rounded up by for- mer head coach Tom O'Brien, who was fired following the 2012 campaign, while others were the first signees inked by O'Brien's replacement — Dave Doeren. They walked into a messy situation it the fall of 2013. A depleted roster handicapped even more by significant injuries left the Pack winless in eight ACC games and 3-9 overall. Four years later, the last members of the 2013 class walked off campus with four straight bowl trips that included three wins. With the book officially closed on the group, here is a look back at how the 23-player class performed. A SOLID TRANSITION 2013 Recruiting Class Players Signed In Class: 23 Players Enrolled in 2013: 23 Played As A True Freshman: 10 (WR/CB Johnathan Alston, WR Bra'Lon Cherry, RB Matthew Dayes, DT Monty Nelson, CB Sean Paul, WR JuMichael Ramos, QB Bryant Shirreffs, CB Jack Tocho, WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling and S/NIC Dravious Wright) Players With At Least One Start In Their Careers: 12 Class Rankings Rivals.com — No. 47 in the nation, No. 9 in the ACC 247Sports.com — No. 62 in the nation, No. 9 in the ACC Honors Matthew Dayes — 2016: Second-team All-ACC Joshua Jones — 2014: Honorable mention Freshman All-American by College Football News Monty Nelson — 2013: Second-team Freshman All-American by Athlon. NFL Draft Johnathan Alston — Miami Dolphins, free agent, 2018 Bra'Lon Cherry — Atlanta Falcons, free agent, 2017 Matthew Dayes — Cleveland Browns, 7th round, 2017 Jerod Fernandez — Washington Redskins, free agent, 2018 Joshua Jones — Green Bay Packers, 2nd round, 2017 Pharoah McKever — Pittsburgh Steelers, free agent, 2018 Jack Tocho — Minnesota Vikings, 7th round, 2017 Marquez Valdes-Scantling — Green Bay Packers, 5th round, 2018 Dravious Wright — Los Angeles Rams, free agent, 2017 Year-By-Year Record 2013: 3-9 overall, 0-8 ACC 2014: 8-5 overall, 3-5 ACC, Bitcoin St. Petersburg Bowl vs. Central Florida (W, 34-27) 2015: 7-6 overall, 3-5 ACC, Belk Bowl vs. Mississippi State (L, 51-28) 2016: 7-6 overall, 3-5 ACC, Camping World Independence Bowl vs. Vanderbilt (W, 41-17) 2017: 9-4 overall, 6-2 ACC, Hyundai Sun Bowl vs. Arizona State (W, 52-31) The 2013 Class Blended Two Coaching Staffs' Recruiting Efforts And Helped Lead The Pack To Multiple Bowl Games Top Storylines Bad Health Running back Matt Dayes finished his Wolfpack career third in career rushing touchdowns (34) and fourth in career rushing yards (2,856). PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN