The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/112604
2013 football recruiting issue Monty Nelson ��� DT Quinton Patterson ��� LB Ft. Lauderdale (Fla.) Plantation High ��� 6-2 ��� 310 pounds Stats: Made 80 tackles and 8.5 sacks as a senior ��� Posted 45 tackles, including 10 sacks, and forced eight fumbles as a junior. Ratings: Considered a three-star recruit and the No. 43 defensive tackle in the country by Rivals.com ��� Rated as a three-star talent, the No. 60 player in Florida and the No. 55 defensive tackle in the nation by Scout.com ��� Regarded as a three-star recruit, the No. 48 defensive tackle in the country and the No. 106 player in Florida by ESPN ��� Given three stars, ranked as the No. 64 defensive tackle nationally and selected as the No. 142 recruit in the state by 247Sports ��� Listed as the No. 27 defensive tackle in the South by Southern Prep Stars. Honors/accomplishments: Named first-team all-county by the Sun-Sentinel ��� Selected to play in the Nike Florida AllStar Game ��� Also wrestles. Recruitment: Despite an impressive offer list that included Arkansas, Illinois, Louisville, Michigan State, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, West Virginia and Wisconsin, among others, Nelson was immediately attracted to NC State when the Pack offered in January. In a whirlwind recruitment that lasted about three weeks, Nelson officially visited Raleigh Feb. 1 and verbally committed a day later before his trip even ended. Recruiter of record: Defensive line coach and recruiting photo courtesy rivals.com coordinator Ryan Nielsen. Dave Doeren on Nelson: ���Monty is a defensive tackle, 300-plus pounder, 500-bench guy, and one of the top wrestlers in Florida as well. Monty chose us over a couple of SEC schools, and we really felt good about him as a person.��� Scouting report: Nelson has the potential to be a good fit next to Kenton Gibbs on the defensive line. Whereas Gibbs is known for his quickness, Nelson combines toughness and strength to be a clog on the line. 2013 projection: If Nelson makes the field next fall, it will be a tribute to his talents, because NC State returns most of its defensive tackles from last season. Shelby (N.C.) Crest High 6-0 ��� 225 pounds Measurables: At a Shrine Bowl combine ran the 40-yard dash in 4.91 seconds and the shuttle in 4.63 seconds ��� Had a 22.0-inch vertical leap and did 20 reps at 185 pounds on the bench press. Ratings: Listed as a three-star recruit by Rivals. com ��� Given two stars, tabbed as the No. 75 inside linebacker nationally and rated as the No. 47 recruit in the state by 247Sports ��� Regarded by Scout.com as a two-star prospect, the No. 65 middle linebacker in the nation and the No. 38 player in North Carolina ��� Ranked as a two-star recruit, the No. 75 inside linebacker in the country and the No. 63 prospect from North Carolina by ESPN. Honors/accomplishments: Named North Carolina���s Defensive MVP at the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas All-Star Game after coming up with six tackles, four of them solo and two for loss, and recording a pass breakup ��� Named first-team 3-A All-State by both Carolina Preps and NC Preps ��� Selected first-team All-Big South Conference as a senior ��� Picked for the Shelby Star All-Cleveland County squad ��� Named second-team All-Region by the Charlotte Observer. Recruitment: NC State was Patterson���s lone major offer, and on June 21 he decided to verbally commit to the Wolfpack. He remained firm throughout the entire process. Recruiter of record: Former linebackers coach Jon Tenuta. Dave Doeren on Patterson: ���A contact player and a guy that plays both ways the entire game. He was a great fullback for them as well. A linebacker with great size.��� Scouting report: Patterson is not likely to get caught out of position on defense. He has good instincts and plays with good intensity and a high motor. 2013 projection: Patterson is a good bet to redshirt while he continues to fill out and work on his agility. He showed the versatility in high school to play either inside or outside. Dakwa Nichols ��� RB Rockingham (N.C.) Richmond County High ��� 5-10 ��� 182 pounds Measurables: At a Shrine Bowl combine ran the 40-yard dash in 4.40 seconds and the shuttle in 3.97 seconds ��� Had a 32.0-inch vertical leap and did 11 reps at 185 pounds on the bench press. Stats: Ran 91 times for 1,094 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior, despite sitting out three full games and much of a fourth because of an injury ��� Rushed 80 times for 945 yards and 15 touchdowns as a junior even though he missed the final two games with a broken foot ��� Also returned a kickoff and punt for scores in 2011. Ratings: Given three stars by Rivals.com ��� Rated a three-star recruit, the No. 114 running back in the nation and the No. 45 prospect in the state by ESPN ��� Regarded as a three-star player, the No. 44 all-purpose back in the country and the No. 46 recruit from North Carolina by 247Sports ��� Listed as a three-star prospect, the No. 35 player in the state and the No. 106 running back nationally by Scout.com ��� Ranked the No. 32 player in North Carolina by National Underclassmen. Honors/accomplishments: Named first-team All-Southeastern 4-A Conference as a junior and honorable mention as a senior ��� Also runs track. photo by matt carter Recruitment: Nichols was on NC State���s radar ever since he turned in one of the fastest 40-yard dash times during the 2011 summer camps. The Pack offered Nichols a scholarship at the Spring Game in April, and he did not take long to accept, picking NCSU over an offer from Air Force May 2. Recruiter of record: Former offensive line coach Jim Bridge. Dave Doeren on Nichols: ���With what we do offensively, the change of direction stuff he brings to the table, the speed that he has in the open field, and the ability to catch the football, those are all things that our tailbacks have to do and will do.��� Scouting report: Athletically, Nichols is one of the most gifted players in the class. He is not only fast, he may be the quickest signee. That���s why he is a threat to turn any play into a big one, especially if he can get into space. 2013 projection: With only two scholarship tailbacks returning, one if not two of the three backs signed will have a good chance of hitting the field this fall. Nichols has the speed and quickness to be an elusive open-field tailback, but he must answer questions about his durability. Fellow backs Matt Dayes and Josh Mercer may have a better chance to seeing the field in 2013. photo courtesy rivals.com March 2013��� ������ 39 34-36,38-40,42-43.Recruiting Bios.indd 39 2/26/13 1:15 PM