The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1000643
94 ■ THE WOLFPACKER CORNERBACKS George Barlow is in his fifth year as NC State's cornerbacks coach — and second as the team's assistant head coach for defense — and feels that the 2018 group is his most talented yet. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN show some of the same things in practice and in games." The question is, who will start opposite McCloud at corner? The leading contenders emerging from the spring were fifth-year senior Maurice Trowell, a converted wide receiver, and sophomore Chris Ingram, who started a game at nickel during his true freshman year. Barlow said that Trowell possesses all the physical skills to be a good corner. "He can run, he can make up for his mistakes with his running ability, and he has the hips and the transition and the ball skills from playing wide receiver, which gives him a little bit of an edge over some of the guys," the coach stated. "I just need to get him to learn what to do." Quick Facts Position Coach: George Barlow (fifth season) Returning Starter: Nick McCloud (8 career starts) Starter Lost: Johnathan Alston (23) FYI: Athlon ranks the NCSU defensive backs No. 9 in the ACC … NC State has had some attrition at corner, but the class of 2018 fortified the depth chart with junior col- lege transfer Kishawn Miller plus freshmen Taiyon Palmer, Teshaun Smith and De'Von Graves … Miller, who attended Mill Creek High in Hoschton, Ga., was spotted by NC State at the Mercer satellite camp … Palmer was ranked by Rivals.com as the No. 54 cornerback in the country … The three-star Smith earned 16 offers, and picked NC State over Kentucky, Pittsburgh and Vanderbilt, and the Wolfpack held off a late run by Nebraska … Graves was listed as a four-star prospect, the No. 6 player in Virginia and the No. 18 athlete in the country by Rivals.com, and he held firm to his early pledge to NC State despite overtures from Virginia Tech, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Year PBU 2017 52 2016 51 2015 35 2014 48 2013 39 Year PBU 2012 36 2011 28 2010 35 2009 40 2008 37 YEAR-BY-YEAR PASSES BROKEN UP TOTALS Cornerback Roster STARTERS No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 4 Nick McCloud Jr. 6-1 189 Rock Hill, S.C. Started the first six games and then ended the season with a start against Arizona State in the Sun Bowl. Tallied 34 tackles, seven passes broken up and one interception, which he returned 53 yards against the Sun Devils. 8 Maurice Trowell 5th-Sr. 5-11 189 Durham, N.C. Played wide receiver his first four years, but moved to cornerback this past spring. Caught 21 passes for 359 yards and three touchdowns in 34 games played (eight starts). RESERVES No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 27 Vernon Grier R-Jr. 5-10 190 Charlotte The former Mallard Creek standout has gone back and forth between wide receiver and cornerback, but has settled in on the latter. He has played seven snaps in six career games. 15 Chris Ingram So. 6-0 186 Mooresville, N.C. Was thrown into the fire and started against Wake Forest at nickel, but is more natural at cornerback. Finished his first year with six tackles in 80 plays, with the majority of the snaps against Wake Forest (54) and Furman (21). WAITING IN THE WINGS No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 26 Isaac Duffy-Webb Fr. 5-10 175 Binghamton, N.Y. Walk-on had six interceptions as a senior at Clayton (N.C.) High. 24 De'Von Graves Fr. 6-1 198 Appomattox, Va. Played both cornerback and wide receiver in high school, and led Appomattox County High to three straight Virginia 2A state titles. Enrolled during the spring. 28 Kishawn Miller Jr. 5-9 168 Buffalo, N.Y. Had three interceptions, including a pick-six, and tallied 15 tackles in eight games played his sophomore year at Georgia Military College. Notched 36 tackles, four interceptions and 12 passes broken up in 19 career games. 25 Taiyon Palmer Fr. 5-11 175 Lawrenceville, Ga. The former Duke commit switched to NC State. Concluded his prep career at Archer High with nine interceptions and five career touchdowns. 20 Teshaun Smith Fr. 6-3 170 Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Recorded 53 tackles, 18 passes broken up and three interceptions his senior year at Western High, and he also has played wide receiver. ■ Preseason Analysis **** Among country's best; *** Among ACC's best; ** Solid or has potential; * Too unproven Starters ** Junior Nick McCloud has been steadily groomed to take on the responsibility of being NC State's leading corner, but the spot opposite him on the field remains a wide-open competition. Experience *½ The reality is that McCloud is the only veteran on the roster with the experience you would like to see, although sophomore Chris Ingram did get a start last fall against Wake Forest at nickel. Depth ** It has not proven itself yet, but cornerbacks coach George Barlow believes he has his most talented group of players since he arrived at NC State in 2014. Overall grade ** There is a chance that the talent at cornerback could emerge this fall and outplay this rating, but for now the position opposite McCloud remains a major question mark on the defense.