The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1502339
JULY/AUGUST 2023 ■ 37 Strength Of The Defense BY MATT CARTER S o deep was the NC State secondary last year that despite losing three starters — safeties Cyrus Fagan and Tanner Ingle and nickel Tyler Baker-Williams — the Wolfpack's defensive backfield is still considered one of the best units in the ACC in 2023. The cornerback tandem of fourth-year junior Aydan White and fifth-year redshirt junior Shyheim Battle is a major reason for that. White was named first-team All-ACC in 2022 after finishing sec- ond in the league with 4 interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. He also led the Pack with 9 pass breakups. Battle added 2 picks and 5 pass breakups. NC State also boasts an experienced safety duo in fourth-year junior Devan Boykin and super senior Jakeen Harris. Boykin has eight career starts and fin- ished the 2022 season with 20 tackles and an interception, the lat- ter serving as the decisive play in a win over Florida State. Harris has 20 career starts to his credit and had 2 interceptions and a pair of pass breakups last fall. To replace Baker-Williams at nickel, NC State went to the transfer portal and beat out Boston College for Old Dominion de- fensive back Robert "Poogie" Kennedy, who made a quick impact in the spring. "He's good," Gibson noted. "He's really consistent. There were a lot of times when you didn't even notice he was on the field, which is a good thing." Depth appears strong, too. At cornerback, a healthy super se- nior Teshaun Smith, who has five career starts, and top junior college import Rente Hinton will help fill out the depth chart. Early enrollee Brandon Cisse also made a big impression. At safety, the Wolfpack coaches are eager to see what redshirt sophomore safety Sean Brown, arguably the Pack's best special teams performer in 2022, can do in an extended role. "Sean Brown stepped up and had a really, really good spring," Gibson said. "He played with the [first team] all spring because Jakeen was out. He's going to add lot of depth." DEFENSIVE BACKS SHYHEIM BATTLE ■ POSITIONAL GRADES ★★★★ Among country's best; ★★★ Among ACC's best; ★★ Solid or has potential; ★ Too unproven STARTERS ★★★ Not many teams in the country can top the cornerback tandem of fourth-year junior Aydan White and fifth-year redshirt junior Shyheim Battle, who combined for 6 inter- ceptions and 14 pass breakups a year ago. While the remaining players may not be as highly touted, they are experienced and battle-tested. EXPERIENCE ★★★★ Four of the five projected starters have double-digit career starts, and the fifth is not far behind with eight. Furthermore, three backups have started games in their careers. DEPTH ★★★ The healthy return of super senior cornerback Teshaun Smith and fifth-year redshirt junior nickel Cecil Powell, the ad- dition of junior college cornerback Rente Hinton and the development of promis- ing redshirt sophomore safety Sean Brown provides needed depth. OVERALL GRADE ★★★½ This unit boasts an enviable combination of high-performing standouts, experienced players and strength in numbers. SPOTLIGHT PLAYER FOURTH-YEAR JUNIOR CORNERBACK AYDAN WHITE NC State defensive coordinator Tony Gibson has long touted White's upside. Last year, everyone else saw it, too. White was named first-team All-ACC after totaling 4 interceptions and 9 pass breakups. According to Pro Football Focus, White played the most coverage snaps (482) of anyone in the country without allowing a touchdown. White was named the Walter Camp National FBS Player of the Week after he had 2 interceptions, one of which was returned for an 84-yard touchdown, and a sack in the 27-14 win over visiting Texas Tech on Sept. 17. A repeat performance this season is likely to put White on NFL radar screens next spring, and that is exactly what Gibson is expecting. "I expect him not only to be the best corner in the league, but in the country," Gibson said. PROJECTED DEPTH CHART STARTERS No. Name (Pos.) Year Ht. Wt. Hometown 7 Shyheim Battle (CB) R-Jr. 6-2 195 Rocky Mount, N.C. 12 Devan Boykin (S) Jr. 5-10 192 Greensboro, N.C. 6 Jakeen Harris (S) Sr. 5-10 195 Savannah, Ga. 8 Robert Kennedy (NIC) R-Sr. 5-10 193 Jeannette, Pa. 3 Aydan White (CB) Jr. 6-0 185 Asheville, N.C. RESERVES No. Name (Pos.) Year Ht. Wt. Hometown 16 Rakeim Ashford (S) Sr. 6-1 195 Ackerman, Miss. 20 Sean Brown (S) R-So. 6-0 205 Charlotte, N.C. — Bishop Fitzgerald (S) Jr. 6-0 190 Woodbridge, Va. 14 Rente Hinton (CB) So. 6-3 212 Mobile, Ala. 4 Cecil Powell (NIC) R-Jr. 6-0 210 Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. 22 Teshaun Smith (CB) R-Sr. 6-3 185 Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. WAITING IN THE WINGS No. Name (Pos.) Year Ht. Wt. Hometown 25 Brandon Cisse (CB) Fr. 6-0 180 Sumter, S.C. 30 Isaiah Crowell (NIC) R-Fr. 5-10 182 Kernersville, N.C. 24 Darius Edmundson (NIC) R-Sr. 6-0 180 Middlesex, N.C. 21 Nate Evans (CB) R-So. 6-0 180 Virginia Beach, Va. 28 Zack Myers (S) Fr. 6-1 194 Arden, N.C. 26 Jackson Vick (CB) R-Fr. 5-11 180 Bailey, N.C. BY THE NUMBERS 3 Players on the Phil Steele preseason All-ACC team. Aydan White made the first-team squad, while fellow cornerback Shyheim Battle and super senior safety Jakeen Harris received third-team honors. 18 Where Phil Steele ranks the NC State defen- sive backfield nationally, which is fourth best in the ACC. 93 Career starts at NC State among current de- fensive backs, including 11 for nickel Robert Kennedy at Old Dominion, his previous school. PHOTO BY LARRY BLANKENSHIP