The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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Football 2013 omore at Colorado before transferring to NC State. He returned to the field last season, but an ankle injury ended his campaign after six games. He had four tackles, a sack and seven quarterback hurries before getting hurt. "The thing that impressed me this spring is his pass-rushing ability," Nielsen said. Nielson also noted that Rose "made the ■ Preseason Analysis **** Among country's best; *** Among ACC's best; ** Solid or has potential; * Too Unproven Starters ** The duo of redshirt junior Thomas Teal and junior T.Y. McGill at defensive tackle is a stout, 600-plus pound combination with the ability to get into the backfield and disrupt plays. The Pack also has some proven pass rushers with whomever emerges as the starting defensive ends between fifth-year seniors Darryl Cato-Bishop and Forrest West, redshirt junior Art Norman and redshirt sophomore Mike Rose. The unit may not have star power, but collectively it's a group most schools in the ACC would be happy to field. Experience *** When healthy, Cato-Bishop, McGill, Norman, Teal and West have been playing extensively since they were freshmen, with West gaining his initial experience at Colorado. Rose and tackle Carlos Gray were able to log some snaps last year as rookies, and senior tackle A.J. Ferguson has played throughout his career at NC State. The only potential newcomers to the rotation are tackles Deylan Buntyn, a redshirt junior, and K'Hadree Hooker, a redshirt freshman, both of whom will have the luxury of being eased in if the Pack can stay healthy. Depth *** There are some real concerns about depth after this season at defensive end, but as for this year, the Pack should be able to rotate a solid amount of defensive linemen throughout the game to keep players fresh. At end, State in essence has four starters with little apparent drop-off between them. Inside, while McGill and Teal are clear starters heading into preseason camp, there appears to be no hesitation about using players such as Ferguson, Gray and Hooker, among others, to give the starters breathers. Overall grade *** This defensive line appears to have all the pieces to be one of the best in the ACC. Looking for pass rushers? Cato-Bishop, Norman and West have all proven during their careers they can get to the quarterback, and Rose is believed to have good pass-rushing potential. Looking for run stuffers? NC State has a deep collection of bulky and strong defensive tackles with the ability to control the middle of the line. Looking for depth to make sure the line holds up in an era of countless offensive snaps? NC State has at least four defensive ends and four defensive tackles likely to play, and perhaps more. ■ By The Numbers 28 23.5 3 Quarterback hurries by redshirt junior defensive end Art Norman in 2012, a year after he had 30. Sacks by NC State's defensive linemen in 2012, of which 20.5 were made by players returning this season. Number of scholarship defensive ends scheduled to return following the 2013 season. biggest gain in terms of fundamentals and becoming that playmaker type of guy." Rose had eight tackles as a rookie, including one for loss, but may best be remembered for blocking a fourth-quarter punt against FSU to set up NCSU's game-winning drive. Nielsen likes his depth at defensive end, but only for this season. "This year I think we will be fine," he said. "It's next year. There is no other team that's going to be as thin as we are at that position. "If you are a defensive end from California to Maine to Florida you better look at our program if you want to play, because you are going to play major, big-time college football and you'll be in the two-deep the first minute you step on campus. "That's pretty crazy." ■ Defensive End Roster Starters No.Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 92 Darryl Cato-Bishop 5th-Sr. 6-3 266 Roxbury, Mass. Has 22 career starts, 75 tackles, including 16 for loss and 10.5 sacks, 32 quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and one interception. 95 Art Norman R-Jr. 6-0 243 Stone Mountain, Ga. His seven sacks in 2011 tied a school record for the most in one season by a freshman. Norman's 12.5 sacks through two years is on pace to challenge Mario Williams' school record of 25.5. Reserves No.Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 90 Mike Rose R-So. 6-3 252 Fountain Inn, S.C. Played 12 games as a rookie and made eight tackles, including one for loss, and recorded three quarterback hurries and one blocked punt. 5th-Sr. 6-1 263 Canton, Conn. 97 Forrest West Looking to rebound from an ankle injury that ended his season after six games and regain the form that allowed him to make 5.5 sacks as a sophomore at Colorado. Waiting In The Wings No.Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 93 Rogers Clark R-Fr. 6-1 255 Woodberry Forest,Va. Clark is a walk-on from Woodberry Forest High. 79 Tyler Smith Jr. 6-2 255 Raleigh Smith is a walk-on who transferred in from Western Carolina. 99 Joe Wright R-Fr. 6-7 232 Greenville, N.C. Impressed with six tackles and a sack in the spring game. "We have talked to him about, 'Just one day at a time, Joe.'You can see when he does that, he's made some plays," said defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen. Defensive Tackle Roster Starters No.Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 75 T.Y. McGill Jr. 6-1 293 Jesup, Ga. Was the only true freshman in 2011 to start on offense or defense, and made 50 tackles, including 10.5 for loss and five sacks, last year. 69 Thomas Teal R-Jr. 6-1 313 Bennettsville, S.C. Has 48 career tackles, including 12 for loss and 3.5 sacks, and has posted 14 quarterback pressures and a forced fumble in 19 games, including 13 starts. Reserves No.Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 76 Deylan Buntyn R-Jr. 6-3 323 Havelock, N.C. Former JUCO transfer is physically one of the strongest players on the team. 98 A.J. Ferguson Sr. 6-2 301 Southport, N.C. Has played in 21 games throughout his career and made 20 tackles, including a pair of sacks, and pressured QB four times. 70 Carlos Gray R-So. 6-3 296 Pinson, Ala. Played in 11 games and started one last year, making 12 tackles, including assisting on a hit for a loss, and adding a fumble recovery and one quarterback hurry. R-Fr. 6-0 307 Kinston, N.C. 91 K'Hadree Hooker Was one of NCSU's top-rated recruits in the 2012 class. Waiting In The Wings No.Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 96 Kenton Gibbs Fr. 6-2 290 Detroit Was rated by Rivals.com as a three-star prospect, the No. 42 defensive tackle in the country and the No. 15 player in Michigan in 2013 class. 5th-Sr. 6-5 273 Wake Forest, N.C. 58 Jacob Kahut A walk-on who played on both sides of the ball in a game at Cincinnati in 2011, but missed last season with a knee injury. 94 Monty Nelson Fr. 6-2 310 Plantation, Fla. Was rated by Rivals.com as a three-star recruit and the No. 43 defensive tackle in the 2013 class. 78 ■ the wolfpacker 76-78.DLs.indd 78 7/1/13 9:37 AM