The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1137844
JULY 2019 ■ 59 WIDE RECEIVERS ■ By The Numbers 3 NC State wide receivers have had back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons — Kelvin Harmon (2017-18), Jerricho Cotchery (2002-03) and Torry Holt (1997-98). 37 Yards was the longest reception for redshirt junior wide receiver C.J. Riley last year, but he did catch a 45-yarder in 2017. 236 Career catches for junior Emeka Emezie while at Waxhaw (N.C.) Marvin Ridge. He'd have to average 85 catches his final two years at NC State to match that prep total. Wide Receiver Roster STARTERS No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 3 Emeka Emezie Jr. 6-3 210 Waxhaw, N.C. Beat out Steph Louis and solidified his spot in the lineup last year. He had three games where he reached at least 83 yards and scored a touchdown, including a season-high 90 on five grabs versus Virginia. 19 C.J. Riley R-Jr. 6-4 211 Coconut Creek, Fla. More than doubled his production in 2018 after catching just nine passes for 142 yards during his debut season. He tallied three receptions for a career-high 66 yards in the loss at Clemson and posted a career-best six grabs, including a touchdown, for 33 yards against Texas A&M in the Gator Bowl. 87 Thayer Thomas R-So. 6-0 195 Wake Forest, N.C. The former walk-on, who is the older brother of freshman linebacker Drake Thomas, was awarded a scholarship after the spring of 2018. His 34 grabs ranked fourth on the team last year, and he posted a 100-yard receiving game earlier in his career than any receiver in school history (114 yards on nine catches versus Georgia State in just his second appearance). RESERVES No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 88 Devin Carter R-Fr. 6-4 212 Clayton, N.C. Played in four games, preserving his redshirt status, and had one reception for 11 yards in 19 offensive snaps. Tied for the tallest receiver on the roster. 4 Tabari Hines 5th-Sr. 5-10 185 Florence, S.C. Topped 120 receiving yards three times during his junior year at Wake Forest, including snagging eight passes for 139 yards and three scores in a win against NC State. He went to Oregon as a graduate transfer, but only played in four games and battled injuries. 84 Jasiah Provillon R-Fr. 6-3 208 Irvington, N.J. Has gained 12 pounds during the offseason. He played nine snaps in two game appear - ances last year. He reeled in 57 passes for 687 yards and eight touchdowns his senior year at Irvington High. WAITING IN THE WINGS No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 83 Eric Collins R-Jr. 5-9 176 Tampa, Fla. Walk-on transferred into NC State before the 2018 season, after catching 13 passes for 174 yards and a score at Mississippi Valley State. 31 Tyler Dabbs R-Jr. 5-10 186 Eden, N.C. Walk-on played high school football at Morehead High, and his twin brother Will Dabbs plays running back for NCSU. 80 Justin Dunn R-Fr. 6-1 208 Raleigh Walk-on from Sanderson High, where he played with NCSU teammates Alim McNeill and Trent Pennix. 82 Max Fisher R-So. 6-2 202 Upper Marlboro, Md. Played in five games and logged 20 plays last year, but is looking for his first career catch. He did, however, record a 61-yard touchdown in the 2019 Kay Yow Spring Game. 85 Keyon Lesane Fr. 6-0 187 Lumberton, N.C. The Matthews (N.C.) Butler standout caught 27 passes for 451 yards and four touch - downs as a prep senior, while he also rushed for 316 yards and six scores. 86 Christopher Toudle Fr. 6-3 225 Wilmington, N.C. Played wide receiver and some quarterback for Hoggard High last year. He caught 21 passes for 315 yards and three scores, and rushed 43 times for 156 yards and four touchdowns. ■ PRESEASON ANALYSIS ★★★★ Among country's best; ★★★ Among ACC's best; ★★ Solid or has potential; ★ Too unproven Starters ★★★ Normally the loss of two 1,000-yard receivers would devastate a unit. If a quarterback emerges, the quartet of junior Emeka Emezie, redshirt junior C.J. Riley, redshirt sophomore Thayer Thomas and Wake Forest/Oregon graduate transfer Tabari Hines should be good enough to keep the aerial attack churning this fall. Experience ★★★ Emezie has played in 26 games, with 12 starts, and Riley has also appeared in 26, with two starts. Hines is the "X-factor" in all of this, with 37 games played. Add in Thomas and his 13 appearances (two starts) last year, and the Wolfpack have a veteran group of receivers that know what they are doing. However, the depth at outside receiver is relatively unproven. Depth ★★ Either Thomas or Hines will be in a reserve role, technically, though both should see the field a lot assuming Hines bounces back to his Wake Forest form. Quality depth will need to come from redshirt freshmen Devin Carter and Jasiah Provillon. Overall grade ★★★ Emezie appears poised to become the next 1,000-yard receiver at NC State. He caught 53 passes for 616 yards and five scores as the third receiver last fall. Hines has caught 126 passes for 1,528 yards and 14 touchdowns the last four years. If he approaches his 2017 Wake Forest numbers of 53 catches for 683 yards and seven touchdowns, pencil in NC State for being one of best units in the ACC. Redshirt junior C.J. Riley used his size (6-4, 211) and speed (4.48 40- yard dash time) to notch 28 receptions for 315 yards and two touch- downs in 2018. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN Year Name Catches Yards 2018 Jakobi Meyers 92 1,047 2017 Jaylen Samuels 76 597 2016 Jaylen Samuels 55 565 2015 Jaylen Samuels 65 597 2014 Bo Hines 45 616 Year Name Catches Yards 2013 Rashard Smith 49 530 2012 Tobais Palmer 54 781 2011 T.J. Graham 46 757 2010 Owen Spencer 60 912 2009 Jarvis Williams 45 547 NC STATE'S RECEPTIONS LEADER THE PAST 10 SEASONS