The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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MAY/JUNE 2022 ■ 35 form, the first five teams used their picks on defensive players. When it was time for the Panthers to choose, the en- tire pool of collegiate offensive talent was available to them. They went with Ekwonu, and it wasn't a particularly tough call. "He's the tone-setter," Fitterer said. "He's a smart guy, he's physical, he's tough. He's got every trait that you want in an offensive lineman. We're excited about that. "He came in here and met with us a week or two ago and really impressed everybody so much. … I think he's a great, great addition to this offensive line." Ekwonu will need no introduction to his "new" hometown. The son of im- migrants — he wore a white and green suit at the draft with lapels patterned after the Nigerian flag — Ekwonu was raised in Charlotte and attended Provi- dence Day. He and twin brother Osita developed into Power Five football prospects to- gether at Providence. Osita headed to Notre Dame, while Ikem ended up stay- ing closer to home, in part because NC State coach Dave Doeren had made him a recruiting priority after seeing what he accomplished as a high school wrestler. Doeren believed that many of his wres- tling skills would transfer over to the of- fensive line, and the veteran coach turned out to be right. At NC State, Ekwonu be- came the program's first true freshman to start at offensive tackle since 2010, and he went on to win All-ACC honors all three of his seasons on campus, along with con- sensus All-America honors this past year. "He's got all the tools," Ruhle said of the 6-foot-4, 310-pound tackle. "I also believe in the person that he is. He's from right here in Charlotte. He went to Provi- dence Day. This is going to be a special place for him. "We talked [in meetings ahead of the draft] about everything from his favorite restaurants to blocking the three-tech- nique. He's a person who's going to step into this room and players are going to respect the way he plays, but also who he is." On draft night, Ekwonu sounded every bit as surprised as the Panthers that he would be starting out his pro football ca- reer in his hometown. "It's just crazy," he said following his selection. "I stayed home and went to NC State. Every step of my football journey, I've been in North Carolina. I feel like that says something, and I'm excited for this next opportunity." The Panthers are excited, too. After finishing 20th in the league in rushing of- fense last season (108.4 yards per game), they've been looking to rebuild their of- fense around the ground game. Going into the draft, Ekwonu was viewed as the kind of prospect who might need some refinement as a pass blocker but would be a devastating run blocker from Day 1. "Violence, physicality, strength — I feel like those are some of the key words to describe my game," he said. There were hugs and smiles in Las Vegas, the site of the draft and the place where Ekwonu and his family had gath- ered to watch everything unfold. The Panthers were on the clock, and when Ekwonu saw a number with a 704 area code appear on his phone, he knew he would be staying home to begin the next phase of his football career. There were also some hugs and smiles among Charlotte's coaches and execu- tives. At the news conference in which they discussed their pick, Ruhle and Fitterer talked dispassionately about the team's needs and the part that Ekwonu will be expected to play in meeting them. But Ruhle admitted emotions were running higher than the business- like setting might have suggested. "This is a special day for us right now," he said. "We're trying to be cool, calm and collected, but we're pretty fired up to get Ickey." ■ Chicago Nabs Punter Trenton Gill In Seventh Round First-rounder Ikem Ekwonu wasn't the only NC State football player to hear his name called during the three-day NFL Draft. Also chosen was All-ACC punter Trenton Gill, a seventh-round selection of the Chicago Bears. Gill, who will receive his master's degree in the spring, pinned 30 punts inside the 20-yard line last season, nine more than any other kicker in the ACC. The former walk-on averaged 44.4 yards on his 65 punts during the season. Gill's career average of 45.8 yards per punt is an NC State record, breaking Johnny Evans' mark of 44.0 yards that had stood since 1977. Gill chose to turn pro rather than use a poten - tial super senior year for the Wolfpack, and it appears he will have a good opportunity to win a starting job with the Bears. Following the draft, five NC State players signed free agent contracts with NFL teams. Wide receiver Emeka Emezie landed with the Baltimore Ravens after coming back for his super senior season. Emezie had an impactful final year, hauling in two late touchdown passes to help NC State stun North Carolina 34-30. He went on to set a school record for career receptions (229) and finished his career with 2,895 receiving yards and 19 touchdowns. Linebacker Vi Jones signed with the Seattle Seahawks, bypassing an opportunity to return to NC State as a super senior. Jones started the final five games this past season and tied the for the team lead with six sacks while also finishing third in tackles for loss with eight. Running back Zonovan Knight signed with the New York Jets after choosing to skip his final two seasons of eligibility. Knight was a first-team All-ACC selection as a specialist, averaging 34.4 yards and scoring two touchdowns on his 16 returns. His kickoff- return average was the best of any Power Five player. Knight was also an honorable mention All- ACC running back after carrying 140 times for 753 yards and three scores. Like Emezie, running back Ricky Person Jr. signed with Baltimore. He left NC State with one year of eligibility remaining after sharing the position with Knight last year and finishing with 636 yards and five touchdowns on 135 carries. Tight end Dylan Parham landed with the Denver Broncos. A converted quarterback, Parham had to deal with injuries throughout his career, but he established a reputation as a physical blocker. — Matt Carter " He's the tone-setter. He's a smart guy, he's physical, he's tough. He's got every trait that you want in an offensive lineman. " Charlotte Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer