The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/141892
Football 2013 Quick Facts Co-Position Coaches: Eddie Faulkner (1st season) and Clayton White (1st season) Returning Starters: K Nik Sade, P Wil Baumann, LS Scott Thompson and PR Rashard Smith Starter Lost: KR Tobais Palmer FYI: Lindy's named fifth-year senior linebacker Zach Gentry the "special teams demon" in the ACC … Lindy's also selected fifth-year senior wide receiver Rashard Smith to its third-team All-ACC squad for the all-purpose slot … Phil Steele's named long snapper Scott Thompson to its first-team All-America squad … Phil Steele's ranked Smith as the No. 20 punt returner in the country … Smith was also listed as NCSU's kick returner on the post-spring depth chart … Phil Steele's ranked NC State's special teams unit No. 23 in the country and No. 4 in the ACC for the upcoming season … The magazine had NCSU ranked No. 33 in the country last year. ■ Preseason Analysis **** Among country's best; *** Among ACC's best; ** Solid or has potential; * Too Unproven Starters *** The key cogs all are proven commodities, with juniors Nik Sade and Wil Baumann handling the kicking and punting jobs, respectively. Fifth-year senior Rashard Smith is always a threat on punt returns, and he could also handle kickoff returns this season. The Wolfpack has enough speed and athleticism to find capable kick returners. Junior long snapper Scott Thompson is also back. Experience *** The returning players all know what they need to get accomplished this season. Few teams in the ACC have as many juniors and seniors in key roles, which also includes fifth-year senior linebacker Zach Gentry and junior outside linebacker Brandon Pittman on the coverage units. Depth * NC State has some unproven walk-ons at backup punter (William Stephenson) and kicker (Ryan Stevens), which isn't unusual. The Wolfpack should have a good list of candidates in helping out Smith in the return game. Overall grade *** The perception is that the NC State specialists didn't progress from freshman year to sophomore season.With a new coaching staff and two coaches dedicated to making the Wolfpack strong on special teams, a bounce-back campaign should be in order. Getting To Know: Wil Baumann NC State junior punter Wil Baumann knew he needed to go back to the basics to make an improvement in his production. Baumann averaged 38.9 yards on 74 punts his sophomore year, which was an increase of 1.4 yards per attempt from the season before. Baumann did have his best individual performance in the 17-16 upset win over Florida State. He punted seven times for an average of 43.0 yards, and had three fair caught. Baumann averaged more than 40.8 yards per punt in six out of the Pack's 13 games in 2012. The 6-6, 190-pound Baumann earned raves his freshman year for pinning 21 punts inside the 20-yard line on 65 attempts. He punted nine more times his sophomore season, but fell to 16 inside the 20. "I really don't think about that because it's more about where you are hitting the ball from," Baumann said of his ability to place the football inside the 20. "The big thing is not to get many touchbacks.That doesn't help with field position." Baumann and junior kicker Niklas Sade went about their business during spring practices. Baumann's long right leg got a workout in the Kay Yow Spring Game April 20 at Carter-Finley Stadium. He punted 11 times for an average of 41.6 yards, and landed three inside the 20-yard line. "I've been working on my hang time and getting my distance off, and changed my form a lot this spring," Baumann said. "I'm just trying to stay confident and hit a better ball." NC State's Eddie Faulkner and Clayton White are the new co-special teams coordinators for the Wolfpack. "I think mentally will be the biggest jump for me," Baumann said. "From my freshman year to my sophomore year, I trained hard. I really focused on some things, but they weren't too effective. Now, I'm talking to my coaches and working hard." Baumann had 37 of his punts fair caught last year, and another five went for touchbacks. Naturally, he gets asked about one specific punt that did get returned last season, when UNC's Giovani Bernard went 74 yards for a touchdown to win the rivalry game 43-35 on Oct. 27, 2012. "He made a good play and that's a credit to him," Baumann said. Baumann's punting coach happens to be Bill Renner, who is the father of UNC senior quarterback Bryn Renner. "I've been working with him since before my senior year in high school [at Wilmington (N.C.) Hoggard]," Baumann said. "I've kind of gone back to him this spring to go over some things. That's where the big changes have come for me. "I'm really going back over my fundamentals. I kind of lost that my Baumann, who is now a junior, averaged 38.9 yards on 74 punts his sophomore year, first year here. It's just being focused and confident in everything you do. It's about achieving perfection." which was an increase of 1.4 yards per attempt from the season before. — Jacey Zembal photo by ken martin 90 ■ the wolfpacker 88-90.STs.indd 90 7/1/13 2:18 PM