The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1137844
58 ■ THE WOLFPACKER WIDE RECEIVERS HOLES TO FILL Wolfpack Must Replace A Pair Of 1,000-Yard Receivers BY JACEY ZEMBAL N C State had a pretty good idea that star wide receiver Kelvin Harmon would enter the NFL Draft a year early, but it wasn't as clear-cut with slot receiver Jakobi Meyers. However, both Harmon and Meyers declared for the NFL Draft following their junior seasons. The Washington Redskins selected Harmon in the sixth round, while Meyers went undrafted and then signed with the New England Patriots. Replacing Harmon and Meyers won't be easy, plus veteran Ste- phen Louis also has graduated. Meyers had 92 catches for 1,047 yards and four touchdowns in 2018, while Harmon finished with 81 receptions for 1,186 yards and seven scores. Both played 12 games, with Meyers missing a game due to a concussion and Harmon sit- ting out the Gator Bowl to protect his health for the NFL Draft. The cupboard, though, is far from bare for co-offensive coordi- nator and wide receivers coach George McDonald. He welcomes back junior Emeka Emezie, redshirt junior C.J. Riley and redshirt sophomore Thayer Thomas, who combined for 115 catches, 1,314 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in 2018. "All three of those guys with C.J., Emeka and Thayer have played a lot of football over the course of the last two years," Mc- Donald said. The 6-3, 210-pound Emezie made a huge jump from his fresh- man year to sophomore. He caught 13 passes for 163 yards and a touchdown in his debut, but improved to 53 receptions for 616 yards and five scores last fall, starting 12 games at outside receiver. "He's worked really hard," McDonald said. "He's been in the program. Now this is his third year. He's played a lot of football; Junior Emeka Emezie started 12 games last fall and finished third on the team with 53 catches, which gained 616 yards and five scores. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN Quick Facts Position Coach: George McDonald (fifth year) Returning Starters: Emeka Emezie (12 career starts) Starters Lost: Kelvin Harmon (28) and Jakobi Meyers (13) FYI: NC State's wide receivers and tight ends were ranked No. 1 in the ACC and No. 7 in the country by Athlon … The Wolfpack and College Football Playoff participant Okla- homa were the only teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision to field a 3,500-yard passer, a 1,000-yard rusher and two 1,000-yard receivers in 2018 … Last year, NCSU became the first team in league history to boast two first-team All-ACC wide receivers (Kelvin Harmon and Jakobi Meyers) … Harmon (98.8) and Meyers (93.5) ranked first and sec- ond in the ACC in receiving yards per game, and 12th and 17th nationally, respectively … The Wolfpack returns 39.8 percent of its receiving yards (1,620 of 4,071) from last season … Junior Emeka Emezie's 66 career receptions are the most among NC State's returning players … Emezie was the recipient of the 2018 Mike Hardy Award, given to the Wolfpack player who best exhibits a winning attitude.