The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1389905
JULY/AUGUST 2021 ■ 35 DEFENSIVE LINE SPOTLIGHT PLAYER SOPHOMORE SAVION JACKSON Based on the comments of head coach Dave Doeren this spring, if there is a leading candidate to break out on defense this fall it'll be Savion Jackson. Coming out of Clayton (N.C.) High in the 2019 recruiting class, he was considered by most recruiting services to be a four-star prospect, and NC State won a spirited battle with South Carolina for his signature. Doeren noted that Jackson, who at 6-2, 290 pounds has maintained his athleticism and is an ideal fit to play end in a three-man front, is starting to figure things out. "He's a pleaser; he's a kid that doesn't want to make mistakes," Doeren noted. "Sometimes when you're in that mindset — [former NCSU defensive lineman] Ken - tavius Street used to be like that — you don't play as fast because you're afraid that you're going to make mistakes, and when you play like that you actually play slower. "He's cut it loose. He's kind of let that fear of failure go, and he's making a lot more plays. He's a lot more disruptive, and he's been fun to watch this spring." Optimistic Expectations BY MATT CARTER T he most significant loss on the defense occurred up front when All-American nose tackle Alim McNeill decided to turn pro fol- lowing his junior year, eventually being picked in the third round by the Detroit Lions. Despite being tasked to replace its most decorated player, NC State defensive coordinator Tony Gibson has confidence that the unit will be an asset this fall. "I really like where we are at," Gibson said. "I think that position could be a position of strength for us this year." A major reason for that was the return of defensive end Daniel Joseph, who decided to take advantage of another senior season. The former Penn State transfer started eight of 11 games a year ago and led NC State with 6.5 sacks, which tied for eighth in the ACC. His 10 tackles for loss also led the Pack's defensive linemen. The coaches were also excited about the development this spring of sophomore Savion Jackson, who had 20 total stops, two tackles for loss and a sack in 12 games (four starts) last fall. Likely replacing McNeill is redshirt freshman C.J. Clark, who started two games last year and had 24 tackles in 12 contests overall. Head coach Dave Doeren noted that Clark might be more of a disrupt- ing nose tackle than McNeill, who was a gap-stuffing lineman. Redshirt freshman Terrell Dawkins had nine tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks in 12 games a year ago, six of which he started. Redshirt junior Ibrahim Kante added 13 tackles, including a pair for loss, in 12 games with five starts. They'll add depth along with promising freshman Davin Vann, a former four-star recruit who could play tackle or end. NC State also added touted Florida State transfer Corey Durden, who could make an instant impact and is rated by Athlon Sports as the No. 8 defensive tackle prospect for the 2022 NFL Draft. PROJECTED DEPTH CHART STARTERS No. Name Year Ht. Wt. Hometown 5 C.J. Clark (NT) R-Fr. 6-3 300 New London, N.C. 90 Savion Jackson (DE) So. 6-2 290 Clayton, N.C. 99 Daniel Joseph (DE) 5th-Sr. 6-3 265 Toronto, Ontario RESERVES 0 Terrell Dawkins R-Fr. 6-4 245 Concord, N.C. 52 Corey Durden R-Jr. 6-4 310 Newberry, Fla. 28 Ibrahim Kante R-Jr. 6-4 263 New York 45 Davin Vann Fr. 6-2 296 Cary, N.C. WAITING IN THE WINGS 55 Joshua Harris R-Fr. 6-4 350 Roxboro, N.C. 97 Claude Larkins Fr. 6-4 284 Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 58 Travali Price Fr. 6-4 260 Lincolnton, N.C. 59 Jayden Tate Fr. 5-10 262 Lincolnton, N.C. 56 Zyun Reeves Fr. 6-7 265 Winston-Salem, N.C. BY THE NUMBERS 5th Was where Athlon Sports ranked NC State among the ACC's defensive lines. 5 Four-star prospects coming out of high school are on the Pack's defensive line according to the 247 composite rankings — C.J. Clark, Joshua Harris, Savion Jackson, Daniel Joseph and Davin Vann. 7 NC State defensive linemen have been drafted under head coach Dave Doeren, including Alim McNeill in the third round by the Detroit Lions in 2021. ■ POSITIONAL GRADES ★★★★ Among country's best; ★★★ Among ACC's best; ★★ Solid or has potential; ★ Too unproven STARTERS ★★½ Daniel Joseph, a fifth-year senior, gives NC State one of the more productive re- turning pass rushers in the ACC. Sophomore Savion Jackson, redshirt freshman Terrell Dawkins and redshirt junior Ibrahim Kante have all flashed at times, and combined for 69 stops and 13 tackles for loss last year. Redshirt freshman C.J. Clark, who is ex- pected to take over at nose tackle, was a touted four-star signing in the 2019 class. EXPERIENCE ★★★½ Between Joseph, Jackson, Dawkins, Kante and Clark, there are 25 returning starts from the 2020 season. Throw in Florida State transfer Corey Durden, who opened 16 games for the Seminoles, and experience is not an issue for NC State. DEPTH ★★½ NC State seems well situated at defensive end, especially if promising early en- rollee Travali Price, who had a standout spring game, continues to impress. Can fresh- man Davin Vann or redshirt freshman Joshua Harris provide the necessary depth at nose tackle? OVERALL ★★½ Despite losing All-American Alim McNeill, the unit is a year older and more experi- enced, and added a potential instant-impact performer in Durden. Those factors may help the front prove to be more effective overall in 2021. PHOTO BY ETHAN HYMAN, THE NEWS & OBSERVER