The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1519757
MAY/JUNE 2024 ■ 43 Wide Receiver — A NC State transformed its wide receiv- ers room during the offseason, and that group absolutely lived up to the high external expectations this spring. Soph- omore Kevin "KC" Concepcion still looks like a star, and redshirt freshman Noah Rogers, junior Wesley Grimes and redshirt junior Dacari Collins have all emerged as playmakers on the outside. Rogers and Grimes were both top-50 recruits from local high schools and, after transferring back home, they both racked up more than 100 yards in the spring game. They're tall pass catchers with the speed necessary to take the top off opposing defenses. The Wolfpack's receivers room is ex- tremely talented and already appears to have a strong connection with McCall thanks to the work they put in during and after practice. Tight End — A- Junior Justin Joly was another home run transfer portal addition for the Wolfpack. Sources have indicated that he could be a game changer. His abil- ity to play in the slot while also lining up as a traditional blocker re- ally popped during the spring game. Sophomore Juice Vereen also had an impressive grab on a deep ball and made multiple defenders miss after the catch. Offensive coordinator Robert Anae loves versatile tight ends. Vereen and Joly certainly fit that description and could both play major roles this fall. Junior college transfer Dante Daniels has also emerged as a potential contributor at the in-line tight end spot. Offensive Line — C+ This is a provisional grade. The Pack missed multiple po- tential starters this spring due to injury. NC State returns four starters this year, but there was not much buzz around the po- sition group. It sounds like the Pack will be deeper this year, and the jumps that the return- ing players make could dictate the ceiling of this offense. Tackles Anthony Belton and Jacar- rius Peak have All-ACC potential. Cen- ter Zeke Correll, a transfer from Notre Dame, missed the spring, and his health will be critical for the success of this unit. The competition at left guard will be one of the most exciting position battles to watch during fall camp, and that spot remains a concern for now. Defensive Line — B+ NC State's defensive line had a pro- ductive spring. The likely starting three — senior Davin Vann, junior Brandon Cleveland and redshirt junior Travali Price — all stood out. One source named Price the MVP of the unit during spring ball. NC State was looking to find more depth at nose tackle in the portal this spring in hope of solidifying a deep and talented rotation. Watch out for redshirt freshman Isaiah Shirley as a contributor in his second season on the edge. Linebacker — B- Redshirt junior Sean Brown's posi- tion switch from safety went very well, and he stood out during spring practice. Still, the Pack lost two of its three start- ers from last year, and there are still a lot of question marks around this group. Auburn transfer Cam Riley will help at one of the outside linebacker spots, and redshirt freshmen Kamal Bonner and Kelvon McBride both flashed their potential. Redshirt junior Caden Ford- ham and senior Devon Betty will create a solid rotation at middle linebacker. Safety — B Senior Bishop Fitzgerald holds down one starting role after progressing throughout his first season in Raleigh, while the other spot remains a question mark. Redshirt freshman Zack Myers will likely compete for playing time with graduate Devan Boykin, who is recov- ering from an ACL injury, and Auburn transfer Donovan Kaufman, who arrives in the summer. There's a lot of young talent in the secondary, but those players do not have the game reps that Boykin and Kaufman bring to the table. Cornerback — A+ All-ACC senior Aydan White returns as a lockdown cornerback. There is also a ton of posi- tive buzz around sophomore Brandon Cisse, who played primarily in the Pack's dime package last year. Cisse will compete with M a ryl a n d t ra n s fe r Co rey Coley for the team's other o u ts i d e co r n e rba c k s p o t . They both played at a high level this spring and will con- tribute. Also, Villanova trans- fer Devon Marshall started the spring game at nickel and looked like an instant con- tributor. Specialists — A For the first time in years, NC State is starting an in- experienced kicker. Redshirt sophomore Kanoah Vine- sett hit all 3 of his attempts d u r i n g t h e s p r i n g ga m e , including a kick from 49 yards. Redshirt junior Caden Noonkester also adds his re- liable leg on punts. ■ Sophomore cornerback Brandon Cisse played well throughout NC State's offseason drills. He'll battle Maryland transfer Corey Coley for a starting spot in the secondary. PHOTO BY LARRY BLANKENSHIP