The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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60 ■ THE WOLFPACKER WIDE RECEIVERS he's been in a lot of different situa- tions. "I'm really excited about him tak- ing the next step and continuing to match his production." Riley also improved in his sec- ond season, catching 28 passes for 315 yards and two scores. The 6-4, 211-pounder was tied for the fastest player (a laser-timed 4.48 40-yard dash time) on the team last year. "He's added a lot of good weight," McDonald said. "The difference — and we always talk about it — between him and the other guys is he has real elite speed. He's a blazer. "He's starting to feel really comfortable in his body and what he can do in this offense." Thomas emerged behind Meyers at slot receiver and went from walk-on to scholarship player. The 6-0, 195-pounder snagged 34 passes for 383 yards and three touchdowns last year, and he also was the Wolfpack's punt returner (9.3-yard average on 15 runbacks). "He's one of the guys that he's really very driven when he puts something in his mind. … We're excited about what he's going to offer," McDonald said. Former Wake Forest and Oregon graduate transfer Tabari Hines could be an explosive newcomer, who is a proven commodity when healthy. The 5-10, 185-pounder will compete with Thomas for the start- ing spot, and throughout his career he has snared 126 passes for 1,528 yards and 14 scores. "He's a good player to have," McDonald said. "He gives you the elder statesmen if there is one be- cause he's been through it. He went to Oregon and had some adversity. "Now he's back here so he appreciates everything. I'm really excited to see what he can bring to the table." Redshirt freshmen Devin Carter and Jasiah Provillon, and redshirt sophomore Max Fisher will get their opportunity to make plays in the Wolfpack's wide receiver rotation. "Both of those guys [Carter and Provillon] are going to be able to give us some quality plays this year," McDonald said. "Max has done a good job. This is the year that he has a chance to get into the rotation in terms of he's matured a lot. He understands expectations and he's been working hard." Thanks to last year's new rule, freshmen Keyon Lesane and Chris Toudle could play in up to four games and still be able to redshirt. ■ "He's worked really hard. … He's played a lot of football; he's been in a lot of different situations. I'm really excited about him taking the next step and continuing to match his production." ■ Wide receivers coach George McDonald on junior Emeka Emezie Getting To Know: Devin Carter NC State redshirt freshman wide receiver Devin Carter took advantage of a new NCAA rule last year, where he could play in four games and not lose his redshirt. The former Clayton (N.C.) High standout knows redshirting will end up being the best move for his NCAA career, but it was an interesting tight rope he walked. The 6-4, 212-pounder ultimately caught one pass for 11 yards — against East Carolina — and played 19 snaps in four contests. The NC State coaches told him that in a perfect world, the goal was to redshirt him. "I kind of see myself as a perfect example for that," Carter said of the new NCAA rule. "I got all four games experience and got some pretty good playing time. I got to see how it felt like. It was a win-win for me." Carter will sometimes watch the replay of his first college catch. "I've probably watched it about five times, and it's just kind of mind-blowing," he said this spring. "Yes, I do have it on my phone. It has been a minute since I watched it, maybe a month or two." The graduation of wide receiver Steph Louis combined with the early departures to the NFL by 1,000-yard receivers Kelvin Harmon and Jakobi Meyers has led to a chance for Carter to be an impact player this fall. "There are a lot of open doors and a lot of new opportunities," Carter said. "I'm just really excited. I can definitely bring a deep threat to the offense. "I can be a great blocking factor as well. I have strong hands and I can play well with the tools that I have." Having the opportunity to learn from Louis, Harmon and Meyers will pay off handsomely for Carter and the Wolfpack during the next four years. Carter learned how to use his body to his advantage thanks to Harmon, among other tips and tricks from his former teammates. "I learned a lot of stuff from them and it's great that I came in when I did," Carter said. "I learned countless things from Steph, Kelvin and Jakobi." Carter's health was also an issue at times during his redshirt season. He wasn't 100 percent at various points last year, including coming out of fall camp. "I had to find a way to get my body back right," Carter said. "I guess I had to learn how to take care of myself." The former Rivals.com three-star prospect in the class of 2018 had a decorated prep career at Clay - ton. He finished with 160 receptions for 2,700 yards and 39 touchdowns in his three years on varsity, and finished his career with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. Gary Clark of the Houston Rockets played a different sport than Carter, but still served as an inspiration. "I remember being in the eighth grade and he was a senior in high school," Carter said. "I looked up to Gary and knew him personally." Carter was ranked as the No. 30 overall player in North Carolina by Rivals.com and was an early com- mitment to the Wolfpack, his dream school. "[Going to NC State] is everything and a little bit more," Carter said. "I really love it. I love the coaching staff and staying close to home. I can count on my family being there for me, and I love my teammates." — Jacey Zembal Carter played in four contests as a true freshman and notched his first career catch for 11 yards in the regular-season finale versus East Carolina, but was still able to redshirt. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN