The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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[it's about mastering] the mental part of the game, just knowing and understand- ing things and becoming a student of the game." When Wilson left the game against Mississippi State last September, Do- eren knew that it could possibly be the last time the linebacker suited up for the Wolfpack. Now that he is back, this de- fense has the potential to be the best of Doeren's tenure at NC State. "Payton is 100 percent," Doeren said at ACC Kickoff. "He feels great. He is ex- cited. I'm happy for him. I thought last year would be the last time I coached him, and so I think he'll tell you that it wasn't fun going into what he did, but he's in as good a place as he has been mentally right now, so I'm excited for what he can bring to the field for us this year." It didn't take long for Wilson to settle into a rhythm with his teammates. Moore, Thomas and Wilson have won plenty of important games and gone through countless practice reps side by side. The bond the three athletes share led to a seamless transition back onto the practice field despite almost a year apart. "Being back out there with Drake and Zay [Moore], it felt like I was right back at home," Wilson said. "Me, Drake and Zay have played a lot of ball together, so we have really good chemistry. I know what Zay is going to do, I know what Drake is going to do and vice versa. It was just awesome to be back out there with them." All three NC State linebackers are well aware of the expectations surrounding the team this year. The Associated Press recently ranked the Pack 13th in the na- tion. It's the first time the team has ap- peared in the preseason poll since 2003, and the Wolfpack's current ranking is tied (with the 1975 team) for the program's highest-ever debut. The entire defense is determined to ap- proach those expectations correctly. To ensure that it does, Doeren has sent a very clear message to everyone about how best to handle all the preseason attention. "Coach Doeren calls it rat poison," Wilson said. "The media, they're going to love you until you're doing bad. So, we kind of keep that out because, no matter what anyone else says, they can't be in between those whistles with us. We've got to go out there and prove it." ■ Other Notable Linebacker Units At NC State 1978: Two of the best tackling machines at NC State were seniors. Kyle Wescoe had 348 career tackles, tied for ninth most in school history. His counterpart — Bill Cowher — became more famous. Cowher broke his own school record for tackles in a season with 195, a mark that still stands 44 years later. Cowher would become a Pro Football Hall of Fame head coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers. 1981: The Pack used a 5-2 defense that employed two linebackers. The starters were senior Robert Abra - ham and junior Sam Key. Abraham's 183 tackles are the second most in a single season at NC State, and his 407 career tackles are the fourth-highest total for the Pack. After the season, Abraham was drafted in the third round by the Houston Oilers and played six seasons in the NFL, including four as a starter. Key added 150 tackles, but his backup would be more famous. Sophomore Vaughan Johnson had 57 tack- les, flashing the potential that would make him one of the best linebackers in school history. Johnson ranks sixth all time in tackles at NC State with 384 and was an All-American in 1983. He then be- came a four-time Pro Bowl selection in the NFL and played nine seasons professionally. 1991: Senior Billy Ray Haynes and junior David Merritt provided a strong one-two tackling punch. Haynes had 102 of his career 364 tackles that year, the latter total ranking eighth in school history. Merritt had 85 tackles, and he would finish with 328 overall, tied for 14th most. Merritt, who was first-team All-ACC a year later, played three seasons in the NFL. Depth was provided by the duo of sophomore Tyler Lawrence and junior Keith Battle. Each would finish with 63 tackles that season. Lawrence added a team-high 8 tackles for loss. Lawrence would go on to become a pass-rushing star and two-time first-team All-ACC choice. He is third all time in career sacks with 24. 2001: Two of the most famous linebackers in school history led the defense — senior Levar Fisher and junior Dantonio "Thunder" Burnette. Fisher is NC State's career leader in tackles with 492 and was a two-time first-team All-American. One year earlier, Fisher had been the ACC Defensive Player of the Year. In 2001, he had 148 tackles. Fisher was drafted in the second round by the Arizona Cardinals but was limited to two seasons due to injuries. The undersized Burnette was a fan favorite. His 476 career tackles are second only to Fisher at NC State, and a year later he was named first-team All-ACC. In 2001, Burnette had 106 tackles. He is now NC State's director of strength and condi - tioning. Former defensive end Brian Jamison converted to linebacker to round out the unit. Jamison had 76 tackles in 2001. 2004: This may have been one of the deepest line- backer corps at NC State. The primary three starters all played in the NFL. Junior Oliver Hoyte led the squad in tackles with 93, followed by senior Pat Thomas with 83. Thomas, a second-team All-ACC choice the year before, would play four years professionally. Hoyte was on his way to 342 career tackles, tied for ninth most in school history. The Dallas Cowboys converted him into a fullback for two seasons in the NFL. The most successful player was breakout sophomore Stephen Tulloch. He had 75 tackles, including 14 for loss, third most on the team. A year later, Tulloch was first-team All-ACC and a fourth-round draft pick by the Detroit Lions, the start of an 11-year NFL career. Adding depth was senior Freddie Aughtry-Lindsay, who had 75 tackles. Aughtry-Lindsay is the current nickels coach at NC State. 2010: The starting trio would all make it to the NFL. Most notable was Nate Irving, who racked up 97 tackles, 20.5 for loss and 6.5 sacks. He set an NCAA re - cord for most tackles for loss in one game (8) against Wake Forest and was named a first-team All-American by Sports Illustrated. The third-round draft pick of the Denver Broncos played five seasons in the NFL. Audie Cole, a converted high school quarterback, also had 97 tackles, 10.5 stops for loss and 5 sacks. Cole finished his career ranked 16th at NC State for most career tackles (318). He then played five seasons for his home state Minnesota Vikings in the NFL. Terrell Manning had 76 total stops, 11 tackles for loss and 5 sacks. A year later, Manning was second-team All-ACC and turned pro early. He played three years in the NFL. — Matt Carter SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022 ■ 27 One of the stars of the Wolfpack's stellar 2001 linebacking corps, Levar Fisher is the program's career leader in tackles with 492 and a two-time first-team All- American. STAFF PHOTO