The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1137844
86 ■ THE WOLFPACKER NICKELS BY JACEY ZEMBAL F ew positions are as important on the NC State team as nickel, and some changes took place this offseason. NC State started current fifth-year senior Stephen Griffin and sophomore Tanner Ingle at the position last year, but the latter was moved to safety this spring. Former safety and running back Tyler Baker-Williams, a sophomore, is now Griffin's potential backup, if he can hold off freshmen Jalen Frazier and Jakeen Harris. NCSU nickels coach Aaron Henry said the player lining up at nickel in today's college football needs to be special. "You don't have the sideline to help you on deep balls," Henry said. "You are covering the whole field essentially. It's a tough position, but I look at it as a challenge." The 6-3, 213-pound Griffin, who attended Tennessee his first two years, had an unexpected start to his first season at NC State. He suf- fered an ankle injury during fall camp leading up to the opener, which set him back and paved the way for Ingle to seize the job. Griffin eventually claimed the spot and started the last six games, but injuries led to early exits against Louisville and East Carolina, where he played just nine snaps apiece. "I think it will make a tremendous difference," Henry said about what a healthy Griffin can bring to the defense. "He also understands our system and our scheme. "I am beyond excited for this young man based on this spring and going into our summer workouts. He is trying to take on a leadership role." Griffin finished the year with 41 tackles (one for loss), five passes broken up and one forced fumble. He had a season-high eight stops against Texas A&M in the Gator Bowl loss, and he tallied seven tackles off the bench at Syracuse. "I think the sky is the limit to be honest," Henry said. "I know he has dreams, hopes and aspirations for the next level. If he wants to reach those, he obviously needs to have a good year. "He understands that and understands what is at stake." The 6-1, 205-pound Baker-Williams played wide receiver and RESHUFFLED GROUP Fifth-Year Senior Stephen Griffin Is Poised To Leave His Mark YEAR-BY-YEAR NICKEL TACKLING LEADER Year Player Tackles 2018 Tanner Ingle 44 2017 Shawn Boone 63 2016 Dravious Wright 64 2015 Dravious Wright 43 2014 Dravious Wright 57 Quick Facts Position Coach: Aaron Henry (third season; second coaching nickels) Returning Starter: Stephen Griffin (six career starts at NC State and one at Tennessee) Starter Lost: Tanner Ingle (seven; moved to safety) FYI: Athlon ranks the NCSU defensive backs No. 9 in the ACC … Fifth-year senior Ste- phen Griffin played in 19 games with one start his first two years at Tennessee, and then he appeared in every contest with six starts last fall … Freshman Jalen Frazier has the flexibility to also play cornerback, while classmate Jakeen Harris could project to safety … All three, plus sophomore Tyler Baker-Williams, were listed as three-star recruits by Rivals.com coming out of high school. ■ By The Numbers 5 Number of seasons entering this fall where NC State has gone with a 4-2-5 defense that uses a nickel. This will be the sixth season in that alignment. 6 Interceptions made by the nickel over the past five seasons, but zero last year. 85 Combined tackles last year from then-freshman Tanner Ingle (seven starts) and redshirt junior Stephen Griffin (six starts), who manned the nickel position. Griffin emerged as the Pack's top nickel by the end of last year and started the final six games at the position on his way to 41 tackles, five passes broken up and one forced fumble. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN