The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/141892
Athletic Shuffle Football 2013 Moves In The Spring Shape The Linebacker Unit A By Matt Carter bout midway through spring practices, defensive coordinator/ linebackers coach Dave Huxtable made a subtle switch. He had been lining up senior D.J. Green at middle linebacker and sophomore M.J. Salahuddin outside on the strongside. Huxtable decided to flip-flop those players. Green started seven games at strongside linebacker as a sophomore in 2011, posting 33 tackles, five stops for loss, a sack, an interception and a pass broken up. He was expected to start there last season, before being deemed ineligible by the NCAA. Moving Green to strongside was a low-risk decision. Salahuddin, though, had never played middle linebacker in his life. He was a safety in high school, but was recruited by NCSU to play strongside linebacker. Last year, his play was limited almost exclusively to special teams. Yet the move has already paid dividends. Salahuddin was, in Huxtable's estimation, "very productive in his play at Mike linebacker." Salahuddin led the starting defense with eight tackles (one for loss) and recovered a fumble in the Kay Yow Spring Game April 20. "He's a tough kid, and is passionate about the game," Huxtable said. Green and Salahuddin join junior Brandon Pittman, who is on the weakside, as the three projected starters at linebacker entering preseason camp. Pittman started two games last year, and compiled 43 stops, 3.5 tackles for loss and a pair of sacks. He added five quarterback hurries, a forced fumble and one pass broken up. ■ By The Numbers 103 8.5 5 Tackles by departed starter Rickey Dowdy last season to lead all State linebackers. Sacks credited to NCSU linebackers in 2012. Total combined number of interceptions, forced fumbles and fumble recoveries last season by NCSU linebackers. "He can run like a deer, and he really played well the last week of spring ball. I'm very excited about him and what kind of player he can be for us." Linebacker Roster ■ Defensive coordinator/ linebackers coach Dave Huxtable on junior linebacker Brandon Pittman Starters No.Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 31 D.J. Green Sr. 6-4 228 Macon, Ga. Played in 20 career games, seven of them starts, and has 51 tackles, including five for loss and a sack. Has also broken up a pass and intercepted one. 39 Brandon Pittman Jr. 6-2 222 Raleigh Has posted 50 career tackles, including 3.5 for loss and a pair of sacks. Also forced a fumble, broke up a pass and pressured the quarterback five times while starting two games last season. 42 M.J. Salahuddin Fr. 6-2 220 Fayetteville, N.C. Played in 12 games and made four special teams tackles as a true freshman in 2012. Reserves No.Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 48 Robert Caldwell Sr. 6-3 250 Twentynine Palms, Calif. Had five tackles and a forced fumble last season on special teams. 43 Ryan Cheek 5th-Sr. 6-0 243 Lancaster, Ohio Has played in 34 career games, mostly on special teams, and recorded 14 tackles. 46 Drew Davis R-Fr. 6-3 232 Raleigh Davis led all tacklers with 12 hits in the Kay Yow Spring Game. 49 Zach Gentry 5th-Sr. 6-1 230 Raleigh Gentry has led the team in special teams tackles in each of the last two seasons. 5 Rodman Noel Jr. 6-4 215 Everett, Mass. Started five contests and played in all 13 last year, producing 38 tackles, seven stops for loss, a sack and a pass broken up. Was seventh on the team in tackles for loss last year. Waiting In The Wings No.Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 54 Bryan Ball R-So. 6-2 231 Raleigh Ball is a walk-on from Leesville Road High. 6 Jerod Fernandez Fr. 6-1 215 Lake Mary, Fla. Was rated a three-star prospect by Rivals.com, and chose NCSU over offers from Arizona, Pittsburgh and Rutgers, among others. 37 Quinton Patterson Fr. 6-0 225 Shelby, N.C. Named defensive MVP for the North Carolina team in last year's Shrine Bowl. 45 Artemis Robinson Fr. 6-1 205 Laurinburg, N.C. Rated by Rivals.com as a three-star prospect and was selected to the Shrine Bowl. 35 Ernie Robinson R-Fr. 6-1 213 Laurinburg, N.C. Robinson is a walk-on from Scotland County High. Position Coach: Dave Huxtable (1st season) Returning Starters: Brandon Pittman (2 career starts) Starters Lost: Rickey Dowdy (13) and Sterling Lucas (15) FYI: Senior D.J. Green was picked third-team preseason All-ACC by Lindy's … The same publication had fifth-year senior Zach Gentry as the ACC's "special teams demon" in its league honor roll … Athlon ranked the unit 12th out of 14 teams in the ACC, while Phil Steele's had them 13th … Dowdy, who started 13 games last season and was NCSU's leader in tackles for loss with 16.5, was dismissed from the team and enrolled at Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tenn., where he will be a fifth-year senior this fall … Incoming freshman Artemis Robinson is the younger brother of former NCSU linebacker and current Green Bay Packers player Terrell Manning … Junior Rodman Noel is the middle brother of three athletes: the oldest, Jim, Noel was a three-year starting safety for Boston College and signed a free agent contract in April with the Seattle Seahawks, while the youngest, Nerlens Noel, was a center for Kentucky last season and was one of the top picks in the 2013 NBA Draft … Gentry also hails from an athletic family that is leaving its mark on NC State: oldest brother Taylor Gentry was a four-year starter at fullback for NCSU and got a tryout last year with the Kansas City Chiefs, and younger sister Carolina Gentry is a sophomore on the women's soccer team who scored two goals as a rookie last season … Last year's starting middle linebacker, Lucas, has remained with the team and serves as a graduate assistant on the strength and conditioning staff. Quick Facts July 2013 ■ 81 80-82.LBs.indd 81 7/1/13 9:37 AM