The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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JULY 2019 ■ 99 FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2019 7. Isaiah Moore R-So. LB In his first season, he flashed consider- able potential as a hard-hitting, athletic linebacker. He had 69 tackles (7.5 for loss) and made some notable plays, including a fourth-down stop against Florida State. With a year under his belt, look for more consistency from him in 2019. 8. Nick McCloud Sr. CB His 10 passes defended last year (two interceptions and eight passes broken up) were ninth most in the ACC, and that was despite missing two games due to an injury. He has started at least one game every sea- son he has been at NC State. 9. Joe Sculthorpe R-Jr. G/C Although he was not a starter last year, Pro Football Focus has him as the second-high- est-graded returning road blocker in the ACC behind only Clemson's Gage Cervenka. 10. Justin Witt R-Jr. OT He played more snaps in 2018 (800) than any other returning player from last fall, and that was despite missing the Syracuse contest with an injury and half the ECU game due to a suspension. 11. Joshua Fedd-Jackson Jr. OG Started all but the regular-season finale against ECU, which he missed due to an injury, and tallied 34 knockdown blocks without allowing a sack. 12. Tabari Hines 5th-Sr. WR The first newcomer on the list, he is a grad- uate transfer from Oregon but made a name for himself prior to that at Wake Forest. He was especially good at torching NC State. He was the ACC Receiver of the Week when he caught eight passes for 139 yards and three scores in a Demon Deacons win over the Pack in 2017. That was one of three 100-yard receiving games in 2017 on a Wake team that beat Texas A&M in the Belk Bowl (Hines caught two touchdowns in that contest). 13. Alim McNeill So. DT One of the most touted members of a well- regarded 2018 recruiting class, he wasted lit- tle time making his presence felt. He played in all 13 games as a true freshman, and his 5.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks were both second most among defensive tackles behind Murchison's eight and four, respectively. 14. Chris Ingram Jr. CB Started the final 12 games of the season after coming off the sidelines in the opener and led NC State with nine passes broken up. He also made his first career interception. 15. Stephen Griffin 5th-Sr. NIC The former transfer from Tennessee en- tered 2018 with high expectations, but he was set back by a preseason ankle injury. Started the final six games of the year and finished with five passes broken up, third most on the squad. 16. Thayer Thomas R-So. WR The former walk-on was a revelation for NC State last year in the slot. He had a nine-catch, 114-yard performance in week two against Georgia State that earned him ACC Rookie of the Week honors. 17. Zonovan Knight Fr. RB The first, and only, member of the touted 2019 class to make the list. The 6-0, 188-pounder made a huge impression in the spring, which he capped off by rushing for 139 yards and a touchdown on 17 car- ries in the Kay Yow Spring Game. 18. Brock Miller R-Jr. LB When called upon last year, Miller stepped up. He started against UNC when starter Germaine Pratt was injured and the bowl game versus Texas A&M that Pratt de- cided to skip to prepare for the NFL Draft. Miller had six tackles in both contests. 19. Tim Kidd-Glass Sr. S The steady veteran started nine games in 2017 and was in a platoon at the position last year with Dexter Wright, who gradu- ated after 2018. Over the past two seasons, Kidd-Glass has 66 tackles, 4.5 stops for loss and one sack, four passes broken up, two forced fumbles and an interception. 20. C.J. Riley R-Jr. WR He has as much potential as any wideout on the roster, and this will be the year he gets to fully show it. He caught 28 passes for 315 yards and two touchdowns last year. At 6-4, 204 pounds and with the fast- est 40-yard dash of any receiver, he is hop- ing to translate his gifts into a full-time starting role in the fall. 21. Cary Angeline R-Jr. TE Pack fans are hoping to see his true po- tential this year. The former Southern Cal transfer flashed his abilities last season while making nine receptions for 169 yards and a touchdown in 11 games. 22. Deonte Holden 6th-Sr. DE Finally healthy, he flashed his pass- rushing skills by compiling 9.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks last fall. He tied Smith- Williams for most stops behind the line of scrimmage on the defensive line. 23. Matthew McKay R-So. QB Coming out of the spring, the athletic McKay emerged as the potential early leader in the starting quarterback battle, but he will have to hold off former Florida State transfer Bailey Hockman, also a redshirt sophomore, and former four-star signee Devin Leary, a redshirt freshman, in the fall. 24. Tanner Ingle So. S Ingle started more games (seven) as a true freshman last fall than any member of the 2018 class while playing nickel. He was up and down, but the hard hitter forced two fumbles and finished with 44 tackles. He has moved to safety, which fits his skill set. 25. Louis Acceus Jr. LB NC State's developing depth at line- backer shows when a player of Acceus' cal- iber is coming off the sideline. He started the Marshall contest when Moore was hurt and had nine tackles. He is also a valuable special teams performer and is the leading returner in tackles there (six). Despite missing two contests due to an injury last season, senior cornerback Nick McCloud ranked ninth in the ACC in passes defended (two interceptions and eight passes broken up). PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN