The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/141892
Top Storylines The foundation: The class was the highest-ranked group that Tom O'Brien and his staff signed at NC State, checking in at No. 31 in the Rivals.com rankings. O'Brien signed a pro-style quarterback in Mike Glennon, anchors along the offensive line with three future starters, and a few future NFL players such as receiver T.J. Graham and linebacker Terrell Manning. The group helped lead NC State to three straight bowl games and four total in their five years in Raleigh. High attrition: What kept the class from reaching its full potential was attrition — almost half of the class either never enrolled, left before their eligibility was up or had a delayed entry, in the case of receiver Tobais Palmer who spent two years at a junior college before signing again in the 2010 class. Of the 26 players that signed in 2008, only 14 of them enrolled that fall and exhausted their eligibility in Raleigh. Among the 14 to leave early was Manning, who bolted after a breakout redshirt junior season in 2011 to enter the NFL Draft. Manning's decision was a surprising development and a blow since he was expected to be a cornerstone on last year's defense. Strong evaluations: Of the 14 that did stick around for their entire careers, 13 of them made positive marks in Raleigh. That included unheralded two-star prospects Graham and Zach Allen, a three-year starter at guard. Other two-star recruits such as tight end Mario Carter and cornerback C.J. Wilson started and made significant contributions. Perhaps the best example of O'Brien's staff's evaluation skills was safety Earl Wolff, who came to NC State's summer camp in 2007 as a complete unknown from Hoke County High in Raeford, N.C. He left with a State offer and became the Pack's all-time leading tackler among defensive backs and an NFL Draft pick. Ironically, the one player that may be classified a bust was one-time five-star running back Brandon Barnes from Bunn (N.C.) High, who chose NC State over a who's who of colleges but never cracked the rotation in the backfield at NCSU. The emergence of NCSU's camp: Prior to O'Brien's Safety Earl Wolff was an unknown recruit before coming to NC State's summer camp arrival, summer camps were not a big deal at NC in 2007, but he went on to record 400 tackles and seven interceptions in his career, State, even though other colleges throughout the earning first-team All-ACC honors as a senior. photo by ken martin country were increasingly using them as a major recruiting tool. Tragedy strikes: Linebacker William Beasley from Milton He changed that. The 2008 class was the first and perhaps most (Fla.) High almost did not make it to NC State. He had unexpectshining example of the new approach. During camp, State offered edly been declared academically ineligible to play for the Pack. scholarships to Glennon, Graham and Wolff. Wilson's strong While Beasley scrambled to come up with an alternate plan, showing put him on NC State's board for an eventual offer later including trying to raise money to go to Hargrave Military Acadin the process. emy in Chatham, Va., former NCSU linebackers coach Andy McThe Pack also laid the groundwork by having Manning and ofCollum was working equally frantically to get Beasley cleared. fensive linemen Andrew Wallace and R.J. Mattes camp and work In the end, McCollum succeeded, and Beasley did make it to out with the coaches. All would pick NCSU in hotly contested Raleigh. Unfortunately that would be the lone happy story of recruitments. Beasley's time at NCSU. He would be suspended before eventuIt was also during the camps that Barnes and linebacker ally being dismissed from the team without ever playing a snap Dwayne Maddox of Shelby (N.C.) Crest High made highly pubfor the Pack. licized verbal commitments. Beasley was killed in a car crash March 3, 2012, at the age of 23. 114 ■ the wolfpacker 112-114,116,118.Class of 2008.indd 114 7/1/13 10:11 AM