The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1456098
28 ■ THE WOLFPACKER 65 career punts at Weddington High in Matthews, N.C. Outside Receiver NC State returns its primary slot re- ceivers in super senior Thayer Thomas a n d t h i rd -yea r so p h o m o re Po r te r Rooks, plus one of its starters at outside receiver in fourth-year redshirt junior Devin Carter. But who starts opposite Carter is a question mark. Emeka Emezie ex- hausted his eligibility after setting a school record for career receptions. Maryland transfer and super senior Darryl Jones was added in January. Jones has 16 career starts to his credit, and made 23 receptions for 319 yards and two touchdowns last season. Other options could include some of the younger wideouts, notably third- year sophomore Anthony Smith. The speedster is a deep threat who has caught nine passes for 166 yards and two scores in his two years thus far. Three Breakout Players To Watch Running back Demie Sumo-Karngbaye Sumo-Karngbaye was the lone player in the 2021 signing class to burn his red- shirt, playing in five games exclusively on special teams. The loss of Zonovan Knight and Ricky Person Jr. creates an opportunity for him to make a big impact this spring, and Wolfpack coaches have praised him since he arrived. Sumo-Karngbaye was a playmaker at Willingboro (N.J.) High. He scored 21 touchdowns on 98 touches in 12 games as a junior, including 11 times on 64 carries that covered 648 yards. He also caught 21 passes for 430 yards and eight scores. Defensive lineman Travali Price The Lincolnton (N.C.) North Lincoln standout was a highly touted prospect in the 2021 class. NC State had to hold off Tennessee even after Price commit- ted to the Wolfpack. The 6-4, 265-pounder was able to redshirt this past fall. He still left an impression, earning co-Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year honors. With Daniel Joseph exhausting his eligibil- ity and Terrell Dawkins transferring to South Carolina, it creates a potential opportunity for Price to land a spot on the two-deep. Offensive tackle Anthony Belton After a season at Georgia Military College in Milledgeville, Ga., the Tal- lahassee, Fla., native became the target of multiple Power Five programs. He originally committed to TCU be- fore backing off that pledge. NC State then had to outlast Kentucky in a re- cruiting battle that extended to the last day of the early signing period. Belton played just two games last fall, but head coach Dave Doeren likes his upside. "Anthony Belton … we have high hopes for. … [He] definitely has the body type," Doeren said during the ACC Network's football schedule reveal. "We were going to get him a lot of playing experience — unfortunately, without the bowl game, we couldn't do that." ■ Rising freshman defensive lineman Travali Price will be ready to contribute in 2022 after earning co-Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year honors this past season. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN