The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1137844
JULY 2019 ■ 75 LINEBACKERS BY JACEY ZEMBAL O utside linebacker Germaine Pratt made his first season as a starter count last year, leading the Wolfpack with 105 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and six sacks in just 11 games played. He missed the North Carolina win with an injury and sat out the Gator Bowl loss against Texas A&M, which allowed the Wolfpack to get its backups some experience at the position. Pratt went on to become a third-round draft pick of the Cincin- nati Bengals. Fortunately, NC State has developed enough quality lineback- ers that it should be able to overcome the loss of its top defender. "I have young players that are inexperienced, but I think our athleticism is better. It's a talented group," NC State defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Dave Huxtable said. "I have a lot of good depth, and I'm very excited about it." Redshirt sophomore middle linebacker Isaiah Moore and red- shirt junior outside line- backer Brock Miller are projected to be the starters against East Carolina in the season opener, and junior Louis Acceus and perhaps redshirt freshman Payton Wilson supply talented depth that could become starting-caliber players. T h e 6 - 2 , 2 3 9 - p o u n d Moore was third on the squad last year with 69 tackles that included 7.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. He had a season- high 10 tackles against James Madison in the season opener, and he tallied seven or more stops in four games. "Isaiah Moore played really, really well for us," Huxtable said. "He never flinched. He's very smart. He picks things up very fast. He's tough. He works at it very hard." The 6-3, 238-pound Miller had 22 tackles, one forced fumble and one recovered fumble in 13 games played a year ago. "Brock played really well last year in the North Carolina game," Huxtable said. "He made a lot of plays and showed great leader- ship on the field. Brock is a guy that could've had a better spring. He knows that himself. This summer he has worked extremely hard." Acceus and Moore have battled off and on over the last year- and-a-half for the middle linebacker position. The 5-11, 220-pound Acceus started one game last year and finished with 25 tackles in 12 games played. He was also tied for second with six special teams stops. NC STATE'S LEADING TACKLERS THE PAST DECADE Year Name Tackles 2018 Germaine Pratt 105 2017 Jerod Fernandez 98 2016 Josh Jones 109 2015 Airius Moore 77 2014 Hakim Jones 80 2013 Robert Caldwell 105 2012 Earl Wolff 145 2011 Audie Cole 132 2010 Nate Irving 97 Audie Cole 97 2009 Audie Cole 85 Linebacker Roster STARTERS No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 12 Brock Miller R-Jr. 6-3 238 Port St. Lucie, Fla. Has waited his turn the last three years, redshirting his rookie season and then experiencing a shoulder injury-shortened campaign in 2017. The prolific prep defender (65 tackles for loss and 25 sacks as a senior) has 27 tackles in 19 games played the last two years. 41 Isaiah Moore R-So. 6-2 239 Chester, Va. The middle linebacker finished among the top four on the team last year in quar - terback pressures (six, second), tackles (69, third) and tackles for loss (7.5, tied for fourth) last year, and won the Philip Rivers Freshman of the Year award. RESERVES No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 2 Louis Acceus Jr. 5-11 220 Spring Valley, N.Y. Had 25 tackles in 200 plays last year, and racked up nine stops with one quarter- back hurry in his lone start, which came in the win at Marshall. 15 Calvin "C.J." Hart R-Fr. 6-1 225 Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Compiled 92 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and four sacks his senior year at Ameri- can Heritage High. He played in four games last fall on special teams, but still redshirted. WAITING IN THE WINGS No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 47 Alex Gray R-Fr. 6-2 215 Greensboro, N.C. Walk-on who from Page High who redshirted last year. 31 Vi Jones Jr. 6-3 220 Austin, Texas The son of former NFL middle linebacker and East Carolina standout Robert Jones was dismissed at USC, but has found a home at NC State. He had 13 tackles, three tackles for loss and three passes broken up in eight games for the Trojans in 2018. 35 Jaylon Scott Fr. 6-1 240 Shelby, N.C. Won a pair of NCHSAA 2AA state titles at Shelby High, and racked up 269 career tackles, 63 tackles for loss, 20 sacks and four interceptions during his decorated prep career. 32 Drake Thomas Fr. 6-0 236 Wake Forest, N.C. The younger brother of NCSU redshirt sophomore wide receiver Thayer Thomas, Drake is expected to make an impact in the fall, especially on special teams. He had 393 tackles and scored 16 touchdowns in his career at Wake Forest Heritage High. 49 Seth Williams R-Fr. 6-2 238 Wake Forest, N.C. Preferred walk-on addition in the 2018 class comes from nearby Wake Forest High. 11 Payton Wilson R-Fr. 6-4 235 Hillsborough, N.C. Originally tore his ACL at Orange High, and then did it again the summer after enrolling early at NC State for spring practice in 2018. He averaged 12.9 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss and 1.3 sacks per game as a prep senior, his last fall on the field. "I have young players that are inexperienced, but I think our athleticism is better. It's a talented group." ■ Defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Dave Huxtable ■ PRESEASON ANALYSIS ★★★★ Among country's best; ★★★ Among ACC's best; ★★ Solid or has potential; ★ Too unproven Starters ★★★½ NC State has the potential to become one of the better units in the ACC, but will start off trying to break in a new starter, most likely redshirt junior Brock Miller. Redshirt sophomore Isaiah Moore held off junior Louis Acceus a year ago and provided quality play in the middle. He should only continue to improve. Experience ★★★½ Moore, Miller and Acceus have experience playing ACC football. That trio has com- bined for 55 games played and 15 starts (12 by Moore). Depth ★★★½ Acceus would likely be a starter at several other Division I colleges. Who joins him at the other backup linebacker position will be interesting. Redshirt freshman Calvin "C.J." Hart was in the two deep for the Kay Yow Spring Game. However, all eyes will be on a healthy Payton Wilson, the former prized recruit work- ing his way back from ACL injuries suffered in back-to-back years. If USC transfer Vi Jones gets a waiver to be eligible right away, he'd also be in the mix. Overall Grade ★★★½ Playing only two linebackers makes it easier to find quality starters. The key will be the spot opposite Moore, who has the potential to be an All-ACC player. Miller got to start against North Carolina and Texas A&M last year, and he had six tackles in each of those two contests. With multiple talented young linebackers competing for playing time, the Wolfpack appear loaded at the position for the next two years.