The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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84 ■ THE WOLFPACKER DEFENSIVE LINE Along the inside, junior college transfer Val Martin — who will be a redshirt sophomore — enrolled in the summer. Highly touted four-star signee Alim McNeill also has the capability of playing anywhere on the defensive line, but will start at tackle. "Right now, we are just trying to figure out who our starters are going to be," Patrick said. "There are one or two guys who may have an upper hand." There is one potential silver lining in having to replace so much NFL talent. "Last year, everybody knew that was the strength of our team," Patrick noted. "People tried to isolate us, slow us down, chip us, double team us. I think this season, people will hopefully not know what to expect, and may not put too much thought into our front as they've done in the past. "I hope that we sneak up on some people up front." ■ Getting To Know: Larrell Murchison Larrell Murchison understands change and patience. Murchison hails from Elizabethtown, N.C., which has a population of 3,583 people. His family has strong roots in the city, with his mom running Glenda's Just Desserts & Lunch Counter restaurant in town. In the last three years, Murchison has gone from Elizabethtown to Louisburg (N.C.) Junior College and now to NC State. He redshirted in 2017, but the 6-3, 285-pounder feels he has adjusted to the ACC level of football and is ready to contribute at defensive tackle. The adjustment didn't come quickly, with each rung of the college football ladder taking time. The former defensive end and fullback at East Bladen High used his detour to Louisburg College as a valuable learning experience. "Out of high school, I could have gone to different colleges, but I messed it up," Murchi - son admitted. "I had to go JuCo and that was my lesson right there. "I took that lesson and put it to the field and in the classroom, so I could make it up." Louisburg College went 9-0 his sophomore year in 2016, with Murchison accumulating 41 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. He had 18 tackles and six tackles for loss his freshman year, so the progress was noticeable. "In JuCo, you have nothing and you start off with nothing," Murchison said. "They don't give you anything. You have to be hungry at all times because you are trying to get out to Division I or anywhere for free." Murchison naturally wondered if college coaches would even find him at Louisburg Col - lege. It wasn't until after his sophomore season that he first felt good about his chances of playing Division I football. "I was a little bit worried at times, but then I'd think, 'Something is going to happen,'" Murchison said. "I remember getting a call in November and Marshall wanted me to come on an unofficial visit. "In December, I got that one phone call that really changed my life. The defensive line coach from North Carolina, Tray Scott, called me. That really started off my recruitment." Murchison thought he was going to sign with Georgia, but the week before National Signing Day became stressful as the Bulldogs filled up its scholarship allotment and had to back off the big man. Despite that, he was hoping NC State would eventually offer. "Even in the beginning, I was like, 'If I can just get that offer from NC State,'" Murchison said. "It was the only one. They called at the right time. "It couldn't be more perfect." Murchison was a surprise NSD announcement following head coach Dave Doeren's press conference. He remembers visiting NC State in high school and seeing the wolves statue in front of the Murphy Center and thinking, "Wow, I wish I could come here." He then attended the NC State spring game while he was at Louisburg College. With his college decision out of the way and his time at Louisburg College over, Murchi - son knew the next jump in his life would be another large one. "I had to restart everything," he said. The NC State coaches elected to redshirt Murchison this past year, which ended up being a terrific move for everyone involved. He took advantage of watching future NFL defensive linemen Bradley Chubb, B.J. Hill, Justin Jones and Kentavius Street. "There was a lot that I had to learn," Murchison said. "I had to get adjusted to the game speed, which I'm still trying to do. That was my major focus this spring." The departure of Hill and Jones means some serious playing time is available in the defensive tackle rotation. "I just want to follow in their footsteps," Murchison said. "They are the GOATs [greatest of all time]. I've never seen anybody play like that on the inside. "It's definitely intense and you have way heavier bodies on the inside in the ACC." — Jacey Zembal Murchison, a native of Elizabethtown, N.C., arrived at NC State after a two-year stop at Louisburg (N.C.) College. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN ■ Preseason Analysis **** Among country's best; *** Among ACC's best; ** Solid or has potential; * Too unproven Starters ** NC State has two reserves that have essentially played like starters in senior defensive end Darian Roseboro and senior defensive tackle Eurndraus Bryant. Roseboro has 76 career tackles, 23.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks in 39 games played, while Bryant has logged 36 tackles, 7.5 TFLs and three sacks in 38 career contests. Who starts next to them will be a competitive battle, with redshirt junior defensive end James Smith-Williams and perhaps redshirt sophomore defensive tackle Shug Fra - zier strong possibilities, if they can remain healthy. Experience **½ NC State has a good blend of youth and experience, with Roseboro, Bryant and Smith- Williams all understanding what it takes at the ACC level. If fifth-year senior defensive end Deonte Holden can stay healthy, he could provide some speed off the edge. Depth ** Injuries during the spring allowed for redshirt junior defensive tackle Larrell Murchi- son, a former Louisburg (N.C.) College product, and redshirt freshman defensive tackle Grant Gibson to get plenty of reps. The end depth will be provided almost entirely by newcomers. Overall grade ** The natural assumption is that the Wolfpack will take a step (or two) backwards after losing so much firepower in the trenches. If NCSU is able to be competitive up front, that is a true sign of how strong the program has become along the defensive line. Quick Facts Position Coach: Kevin Patrick (second season) Returning Starters: None Starters Lost: DT B.J. Hill (44 career starts), DE Bradley Chubb (38), DE Kentavius Street (34) and DT Justin Jones (29) FYI: Athlon ranked the NCSU defensive line seventh in the ACC and tabbed defen- sive end Darian Roseboro as a third-team All-ACC selection … NC State welcomes a trio of former junior college transfers, four redshirt freshmen and four true fresh- men to the defensive line this season.