The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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Football 2013 "You have to be able to catch the football, be explosive with the ball in your hands and be explosive off the line of scrimmage. The thing that is real key to me is the desire to block in the run game." ■ Wide receivers coach Frisman Jackson on the qualities he looks for in a receiver The 6-4, 211-pound Payton, 6-2, 200-pound Hegedus and 6-2, 226-pound Morgan are the "bigger" receivers returning. Payton led the way last year with 51 catches for 798 yards and two touchdowns. He cracked the 100-yard mark in two games — catching four passes for 129 yards against Tennessee, and notching five receptions for 100 yards against The Citadel. "He was steady Eddie," Jackson said. "He never played too bad and he just played steady. You know what you get out of him each day and he will need to be a leader for us." The 5-9, 177-pound Underwood had a knack for getting open in the red zone, which is an invaluable trait. He caught 44 passes for 623 yards and 10 touchdowns, with all the scores coming in the first eight games. Underwood exploded with six catches for 134 yards and a touchdown at Maryland, and ■ Preseason Analysis **** Among country's best; *** Among ACC's best; ** Solid or has potential; * Too Unproven Starters ** The Wolfpack has some potential playmakers at wide receiver, but also some questions to get answered. Fifth-year seniors Quintin Payton and Rashard Smith and redshirt junior Bryan Underwood provide a great foundation. Sophomore Charlie Hegedus, redshirt sophomore Maurice Morgan and a cadre of freshmen supply support. Experience *** Payton, Smith, Underwood and Hegedus were all counted on last year, and they delivered at various points. Payton started the season strong with a pair of 100-yard games in the first four contests. Underwood managed to score 10 touchdowns in his first eight games, and Smith could be a breakout performer in the new offense. Depth ** The odds are good that at least one or two of the freshmen will emerge as a threat, especially in the vertical passing game. Morgan and Hegedus will also need to take a step up in their progression. Morgan, at 6-2 and 226 pounds, is physically impressive, but didn't catch a pass in seven games played at wide receiver last year. Overall grade *** Whoever emerges as NC State's new quarterback will have a nice selection of targets to throw to, especially when the Wolfpack plays in three- and four-receiver sets. Smith has a chance to be the surprise player among the receivers, while Payton and Underwood are proven ACC performers. followed up the next game with six receptions for 118 yards and two scores at North Carolina in late October. "He had a solid spring, but he's not where he should have been, and I blame a lot of that on me," Jackson said. "I have to do a better job of coaching him up. He has a lot of ability, he can run and he can threaten a defense with his speed vertically. "He has to become a better route runner, and he has to continue to work on catching the football. I know the big thing for him last year was the drops. He didn't have many, and just a few this spring." Smith, a former prep quarterback, started off at cornerback before making the move to full-time wide receiver last year. The 5-9, 175-pounder caught 19 passes for 316 yards and five touchdowns last year, and was a quality punt returner for the Wolfpack. Smith provided a spark in the Kay Yow Spring Game. "He was ready to go when he came out there," Jackson said. "He had the best spring out of any receiver. Every single day, except for probably one, he came to play. He has great enthusiasm and energy. He pushed the other guys and took his game to a different level." Freshmen Bra'Lon Cherry, Johnathan Alston, Pharoah McKever, Jumichael Ramos and Marquez Valdes will get their shot at joining the receivers rotation this fall. Cherry got his feet wet by enrolling early and practicing in the spring. "With the freshman coming in, I think some guys will get pushed and there will be competition within the group," Jackson said. "I didn't think we had a lot of [competition] just because of a numbers standpoint in the spring." ■ A Decade Of Wolfpack Reception Leaders YearName Catches 2012 Tobais Palmer 54 2011 T.J. Graham 46 2010 Owen Spencer 60 2009 Jarvis Williams 45 2008 Owen Spencer 31 2007 John Dunlap 45 2006 Anthony Hill 45 2005 T.J. Williams 36 2004 T.J. Williams 31 2003 Jerricho Cotchery 86 Yards 781 757 912 547 691 375 478 407 382 1,369 Getting To Know: Charlie Hegedus NC State wide receiver Charlie Hegedus had an encouraging college football debut last year, when he appeared in every game, hauled in nine passes for 116 yards and a score, and was also named Academic All-ACC. The 6-2, 200-pounder is looking to do even more this fall with the Wolfpack's new up-tempo, spread offense and a year of experience under his belt. "Last year, I just came in and they threw a bunch at me; I couldn't get it all at one time," he remembered. "This year, it's coming faster. Route running was completely different in high school. I didn't know how to get out of my break as fast, but I'm getting there and I feel like I'll be able to compete with the best this year. "I got a lot of experience coming into this year. I know what to expect from all of the different defensive backs and some of the teams still have the same players, so I'll watch film from last year and learn from that. I'll know what mistakes not to make and I'll be ready." Hegedus estimated that he has already gained at least 10 pounds since he first arrived on campus and, although he said everyone was still working to get the offense down, it started to come together this spring. "It's going good," he said. "We're just learning the new offense and trying to get it all together. It started off a little hectic, everyone was kind of confused with where to line up, but it's slowly getting there. Once it comes together, we'll score at will. "It's just really fast-paced. I've got to get in better shape, and we all do. I've got to just catch all of the balls, so I can make plays this year." After the graduations of quarterback Mike Glennon and wide receiver Tobais Palmer, there are a lot of jobs up for grabs in the passing attack, and the coaches have stressed that they want to see competition, according to Hegedus. "These coaches just bring it out of us," he said. "Everyone is fighting for a job, everyone wants to get on the field and compete. "It's awesome, it brings a lot of fire to the program and everybody is excited about it." The rising sophomore did not have any specific personal goals that he wanted to make public, but he did share the team's mission for the fall. "We want to win a championship, that's it," he said. "I'm excited and I think everyone is going to enjoy what they are going to see. Hopefully, we'll have the offense down completely and it will be a good show." — Ryan Tice 3 5 8 ■ By The Numbers Positions for wide receivers on NC State's firststring depth chart — F (Bryan Underwood), Z (Rashard Smith) and X (Quinton Payton). Incoming freshman wide receivers in the class of 2013, and the Wolfpack has added three more commitments in the class of 2014 through June. Receptions for 84 yards by Rashard Smith in the Kay Yow Spring Game April 20. He had 19 catches last year for the Wolfpack. 66 ■ the wolfpacker 64-66.WRs.indd 66 7/2/13 9:32 AM