The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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76 ■ THE WOLFPACKER TIGHT ENDS coming out of high school that people expected him to be. He's every bit that same player right now. "I think he can be special and I'm really excited about getting him out there and getting him going. That absence from football has driven him." Faulkner believes Parham has the athleticism to take on some of the running duties of Samuels. He also sees some similarities between Samuels and Angeline. "His approach reminds me of Jaylen Samuels," Faulkner said. "He comes in, goes to work and busts his butt." ■ Getting To Know: Cary Angeline Fans that watched a thrilling Super Bowl LII saw two primary tight ends — New England's Rob Gronkowski and Philadelphia's Zach Ertz — combine to catch 16 passes for 189 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winner. For the past four years, NC State fans have watched Jaylen Samuels — a glorified H- back who caught many of the passes that would go to a tight end — become NC State's all-time leader in receptions. The importance of a valuable tight end has not been lost. NC State needs someone to replace Samuels in the passing game. One strong candi - date next season will be Southern Cal transfer Cary Angeline. Rivals.com ranked Angeline as the No. 20 tight end in the country in the class of 2016, and multiple outlets had him rated as a four-star talent and a top-250 prospect nationally that year. He caught 47 passes for 826 yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior at Downington East High in Exton, Pa. Angeline redshirted his first year with the Trojans and was named the Offensive Service Team Player of the Year. Then, four games into the 2017 season, he decided to transfer. "He's been nothing but awesome since he's been here and I wish him nothing but a bright future," USC head coach Clay Helton said at the time. "He's going to have one." The 6-7, 240-pound Angeline said it was shortly after his decision to leave the West Coast that NC State reached out to him. "I ended up going down on a visit there and enjoyed it a lot," he noted. "It was a great visit." This was obviously not Angeline's first go-around in the recruiting process. He had other options this time, primarily from ACC schools and other programs near his home. Angeline noted he had a different perspective in the second round of recruiting, and he had a firmer idea of what to look for in a program. "Definitely somewhere I fit in with the offense and somewhere I was needed, and somewhere I felt comfortable with the coaches and players," he said. In his words, "NC State definitely fit." Angeline gave some consideration to signing during the early period in December, but he didn't feel ready to commit. Apparently watching NC State trounce Arizona State in the Hyundai Sun Bowl helped seal the deal. He committed the following day. "There is definitely a good opportunity at tight end [at NC State]," he said. "I am look - ing forward to coming in and competing the best I can, and I think I fit in the offense well, catching and blocking." The expectation is that at a minimum he will be eligible after the first four games. However, he wanted to file a waiver so that he can be able to play immediately. That may be because Angeline is certain he has found the right school. "This time around I felt like I had a little bit of a different perspective, I think," Ange - line said. "I had the opportunity to visit some places and see what the schools wanted and needed, and I felt like NC State was the right fit." — Matt Carter Redshirt sophomore Dylan Parham started his college career at quar- terback, but moved to tight end the summer after his true freshman campaign. He appeared in 12 games at his new position last year. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN ■ Preseason Analysis **** Among country's best; *** Among ACC's best; ** Solid or has potential; * Too unproven Starter ** The departure of starters Jaylen Samuels and Cole Cook leaves a gaping hole at the position for the Wolfpack. Redshirt sophomores Dylan Autenrieth and Cary Angeline could emerge during fall camp. Autenrieth has earned praise for his blocking, and Angeline is a 6-7 receiving target who also is a capable blocker. Experience *½ Autenrieth played in 13 games last year, and redshirt sophomore Dylan Parham appeared in 12 contests, but between the two, they caught only one pass for 25 yards. Depth *½ NC State has numbers at the position, which is half the battle. Parham, a converted quarterback, and redshirt freshmen Damien Darden and Adam Boselli are among five scholarship tight ends. Overall grade ** There might not be a player as talented as Samuels on the current roster. The responsibility of replacing him is likely to be accomplished by committee. The position might be in flux this season, but the foundation is being laid for the future. Angeline initially signed with USC after reeling in 47 receptions for 826 yards and 13 scores as a senior at Downington East High in Exton, Pa. PHOTO COURTESY CHRIS ANGELINE