The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1000643
JULY 2018 ■ 75 TIGHT ENDS BY JACEY ZEMBAL A new era will begin this fall for the NC State tight ends. No other position on the Wolfpack's offense was hit harder by senior departures. Fullbacks/tight ends coach Eddie Faulkner, who also coordinates special teams, had relied heavily on Jaylen Samuels and Cole Cook the last four years. The two have moved on to NFL opportunities, with Samuels going in the fifth round to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cook signing as an undrafted free agent with his home state Atlanta Falcons. No one is expected to take on all the duties of Samuels' H-back role, but those opportuni- ties could open up for a variety of players. Last season Samuels caught 76 passes for 597 yards and four touchdowns, and he rushed 76 times for 404 yards and 12 scores. Cook was a gifted blocker and caught one pass for 29 yards in 2017 for the Wolfpack. "As a coach you get those players that you build a comfort level with, but it's only because they played a lot and did a lot here," Faulkner said. "I'm very excited about the room that I have currently, top to bottom. It's just as we've been. "There's been some new additions and guys coming in, and new guys having to take on roles, and watching their development is exciting. I know they're going to be good players. I'm just waiting to see what they have on their plate moving forward." The new names that will become familiar over the next few years could include redshirt sophomores Dylan Autenrieth, Dylan Parham and Cary Angeline, and redshirt freshmen Damien Darden and Adam Boselli. The 6-4, 235-pound Autenrieth played in all 13 games last season and Faulkner has compared him to Cook, both for his blocking and his leadership skills. "Dylan Autenrieth is by head and shoulders the leader in our room," the coach said. "He's kind of taken that Cole Cook baton and run with it in terms of being that guy." The 6-5, 235-pound Parham was recruited as a quarterback out of Southeast Raleigh High by NC State, and played that position dur- ing his true freshman year while redshirting. He then switched to tight end following 2017 spring practice, and seems to have found a home. He could be a breakout candidate this season, after posting one catch for 25 yards last year. "DP has come a long way from quarterback," Faulkner said. "He went from a guy who you looked and said, 'Okay, he's not getting on the field.' Now you look and say, 'He can help us win games and be dependable.'" Autenrieth and the 6-5, 252-pound Boselli have both missed time with injuries, and Ange- line did not enroll at NCSU until the summer. That meant younger players were able to take advantage of reps, such as the 6-3, 250-pound Darden. "He has God-given ability," Faulkner said. "Damien is a good football player and athletic. He's got good feet. Obviously, there are some things you got to continue to grow on. "When you have a talented room like I have — there are some unknowns in it, but you have competition. To me, that's exciting. That will only bring the best out in everybody." Faulkner expects Boselli to catch up to his peers with a healthy fall camp. "He puts in the work and it matters to him," he said. "As long as he stays on that trend, he's going to continue to get better, better and better, and be a guy you can depend on." The 6-7, 240-pound Angeline started his college career at USC and redshirted in 2016. He was with the Trojans at the beginning of the 2017 season, but elected to transfer to Delaware Valley Com- munity College, which doesn't have a football team. He signed with NC State and will need to shake some rust off after the layoff. An- geline will have to sit out the first four games of the season before he is eligible to play. "I recruited Cary when he was in high school," Faulkner said. "I knew him previously. I can tell you that he's every bit the player Quick Facts Position Coach: Eddie Faulkner (sixth season) Returning Starters: None Starters Lost: TE Cole Cook (25 career starts) and H-back Jaylen Samuels (35) FYI: Athlon ranks the NC State wide receivers and tight ends No. 1 in the ACC and No. 6 in the country … Redshirt sophomore Adam Boselli's older brother Andrew was an offensive lineman at Florida State but left the program in February … Boselli played high school football for former NFL quarterback Mark Brunell at Episcopal School in Jacksonville, Fla., and his father — College Football Hall of Famer Tony Boselli — was the offensive line coach … Junior Cary Angeline caught 47 passes for 826 yards and 13 touchdowns his senior year at Exton (Pa.) Downington East, plus added six sacks on defense … Rivals.com rated redshirt freshman tight end Damien Darden as a three-star prospect and the No. 33 player in North Carolina coming out of Pikeville (N.C.) Charles B. Aycock High in the class of 2017. ■ By The Numbers 1 Career reception for the Wolfpack's returning tight ends, a 25-yard grab by redshirt sophomore Dylan Parham at Florida State last fall. 6-3 Minimum height for all of NC State's tight ends, with Damian Darden the shortest and USC transfer Cary Angeline the tallest at 6-7. 165 Overall draft spot for ex-NC State star H-back Jaylen Samuels, who went to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fifth round. Year Name Catches Yards 2017 Jaylen Samuels 76 597 2016 Jaylen Samuels 55 565 2015 Jaylen Samuels 65 597 2014 David J. Grinnage 27 358 2013 David J. Grinnage 15 150 Year Name Catches Yards 2012 Mario Carter 34 367 2011 George Bryan 33 331 2010 George Bryan 35 369 2009 George Bryan 40 422 2008 Anthony Hill 19 234 YEAR-BY-YEAR LEADING RECEIVER AT TIGHT END Tight End Roster STARTER No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 42 Dylan Autenrieth R-So. 6-4 235 Dallas, Ga. Played in every game last year, but didn't catch any passes. Had shoulder surgery in January and missed spring practice. RESERVES No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 6 Cary Angeline R-So. 6-7 240 Chester Springs, Pa. The class of 2016 Rivals.com three-star collected 34 offers out of Exton (Pa.) Down - ington East before picking USC. Elected to leave the Trojans shortly into 2017 season. 28 Dylan Parham R-So. 6-5 235 Raleigh The former quarterback, who has gained 11 pounds since converting to tight end, caught a 25-yard pass on a trick play against Florida State last year. WAITING IN THE WINGS No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 29 Marquise Braxton R-Jr. 6-1 215 Greenville, N.C. Walk-on played at Rose High and is the lone listed fullback on the roster. 88 Adam Boselli R-Fr. 6-5 252 Ponte Vedra, Fla. Son of former NFL offensive tackle Tony Boselli caught 41 passes for 736 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior at Episcopal School. Battled injuries during his redshirt year, but also gained 32 pounds. 47 Damien Darden R-Fr. 6-3 250 Pikeville, N.C. Hauled in 27 receptions for 384 yards and five touchdowns as a senior at C.B. Aycock High, and then enrolled early. Redshirted last year. 89 Thomas Ruocchio R-So. 6-4 245 Raleigh Preferred walk-on who played at Raleigh Cardinal Gibbons.