The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/141892
Football 2013 McNutt praised Clark's ability to make plays when the ball is in the air, and the coach noted that Coates "has all the tools to become a pretty good defensive back at NC State." A pair of true freshmen arriving in the summer, Sean Paul from Vero Beach (Fla.) High and Jack Tocho from Charlotte Independence High, could also figure into the mix. "We have some guys that definitely showed that they can play at a high level," McNutt said. "They want to be good. They're not just out here playing football for fun. They want to make a career out of it. "We've got some young guys that will have to continue to develop. That's part of the job, got to coach them up. If they continue to develop as they did in the spring, then they are going to be pretty good, as well." ■ ■ Preseason Analysis **** Among country's best; *** Among ACC's best; ** Solid or has potential; * Too Unproven Starters **½ At corner, NC State has a potentially potent duo in senior Dontae Johnson, a full-time starter last season, and promising redshirt sophomore Juston Burris, who had a strong rookie campaign. The less-proven starters in the secondary are the safety combination of fifth-year senior Jarvis Byrd and redshirt sophomore Hakim Jones. Byrd looked like a future standout player during 2009 before two ACL tears sidetracked his career, and Jones showed flashes last season. How quickly they get up to speed and how consistently they play will determine how well the secondary performs in the fall. Experience ** Johnson certainly has plenty of experience. Although he has been a full-time starter only since last year, he played starter-level snaps as a sophomore. Burris also saw extensive playing time as a redshirt freshman, so experience is not an issue with him. Both Byrd and Jones have seen enough game action as well. The question comes with the players behind them.There is not a single reserve on the roster that has played much outside of special teams. Depth * It's simply an unknown what to expect. Both of the backup corners on the spring depth chart were redshirt freshmen. The backup safeties were at one point walkons, and they are being challenged by a pair of redshirt freshmen for those jobs. Then there are five incoming recruits, some of whom are likely to play this fall, especially at corner where assistant Richard McNutt said that either Sean Paul or Jack Tocho, "have to come in this year and contribute in the secondary and definitely on special teams." Overall grade ** On paper, the starters look fine, especially if Byrd can complete the transition from corner to safety and Jones proves ready for a full-time load. Finding a nickel back in the age of spread offenses is crucial, however, and at this point, who that may be remains a question with the number of unproven reserves on the roster. "We have some guys that definitely showed that they can play at a high level. They want to be good. They're not just out here playing football for fun. They want to make a career out of it." ■ Cornerbacks coach Richard McNutt Cornerback Roster Starters No.Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 11 Juston Burris R-So. 6-1 203 Raleigh NC State's nickel back in 2012, he led the team in passes broken up with eight and tied for second in interceptions with three. 25 Dontae Johnson Sr. 6-2 195 Pennington, N.J. Started all 13 games in 2012 and led all corners with 80 tackles, fifth highest on the team overall. Reserves No.Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 21 Niles Clark R-Fr. 5-11 188 Marietta, Ga. "We've got to get him to play fast all the time, but he made plays," corners coach Richard McNutt said. "When the ball came his way, he always got his hand on the ball." 3 Marchez Coates R-Fr. 5-10 178 Pomfret, Md. "He's a guy that could line up and play the corner or nickel for us," McNutt said."He's just got to keep working on his technique." Waiting In The Wings No.Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 41 Cole Borroughs R-Fr. 6-0 194 Asheboro, N.C. Borroughs is a walk-on from Asheboro High. 34 Dominic Deshaies R-Jr. 5-9 184 Raleigh Deshaies is a walk-on from Athens Drive High. 7 Sean Paul Fr. 5-10 180 Vero Beach, Fla. Rated three stars by Rivals.com and spurned a late offer from Miami to sign with NC State. Also offered by Louisville and Wake Forest, among others. 29 Jack Tocho Fr. 6-1 190 Charlotte Listed by Rivals.com as the No. 22 player in North Carolina and the No. 58 corner nationally in the 2013 class. Safety Roster Starters No.Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 14 Jarvis Byrd 5th-Sr. 5-10 183 Pahokee, Fla. Rated as a four-star recruit by Rivals.com and started three games as a true freshman in 2009 before suffering two ACL tears. 20 Hakim Jones R-So. 6-2 198 Henderson, N.C. Played in all 13 games as a rookie last year, and posted 10 tackles, one pass broken up and one interception. Reserves No.Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 6 Tim Buckley R-So. 6-0 193 Raleigh Former Penn State walk-on turned scholarship player transferred to NCSU last year and played mainly special teams. 24 Josh Stanley R-So. 6-0 197 Raleigh Former walk-on has impressed in the last two spring games. Made three special teams tackles last year. Waiting In The Wings No.Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 33 Roderick Cox 5th-Sr. 5-9 183 New Bern, N.C. Cox is a walk-on from West Craven High. 22 J.J. Jones R-Fr. 6-3 199 Lithonia, Ga. Former high school basketball star that has played football for only a few years and will likely help on special teams this fall. 16 Josh Jones Fr. 6-2 205 Walled Lake, Mich. Rated three stars by Rivals.com, the No. 29 safety in the country and the No. 8 prospect from Michigan in the 2013 class. 30 Malcolm Means Fr. 6-2 190 Richburg, S.C. Selected to play in the Shrine Bowl last year, and tied a state record in South Carolina with a 109-yard interception return for a touchdown in 2012. R-Fr. 6-2 195 Kinston, N.C. 28 Josh Sessoms Noted by safeties coach Clayton White for his improvement during the spring; like J.J. Jones will compete on special teams. 44 Jacob Tart R-Fr. 6-1 196 Apex, N.C. Tart is a walk-on from Apex High. 8 Dravious Wright Fr. 5-10 185 Vero Beach, Fla. A hard hitter who played in the same defensive backfield as fellow class of 2013 signee Sean Paul. 86 ■ the wolfpacker 84-86.DBs.indd 86 7/1/13 10:07 AM