The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1523120
JULY/AUGUST 2024 ■ 33 ❱ ❱ ❱ DEFENSIVE LINE NEXT MEN UP BY ETHAN MCDOWELL T he Wolfpack needs to replace two starters along its three- man defensive line after a couple of key departures. For- tunately for NC State, the coaching staff runs this unit in a fashion that constantly molds the next generation of linemen. The Pack plays a genuine two-deep on game days. At least six and sometimes seven defensive linemen will see the field any given week. Playing on NC State's front is a physically demanding task that requires a deep rotation. Senior Davin Vann leads that group. The returning Wolfpack standout is a disrup- tor who lines up all over the formation and can ruin any given play for the opposing offense. He is a bit of an anomaly, having played 631 snaps in 2023 with 42 tack- les and 5.5 sacks. C.J. Clark transferred to Miami af- ter last season, and Sav- ion Jackson ran out of eligibility. They started alongside Vann and did not eclipse the 500-snap threshold. "Davin is a guy that can play a little more than maybe your normal D-lineman," defensive line coach Charley Wiles said. "But you've obviously got to have depth." NC State played a number of newcomers and developing linemen last year who could step into significant roles this fall. Junior Brandon Cleveland recorded 3 sacks as the backup nose tackle, and redshirt senior Red Hibbler starred on passing downs with 6.5 sacks. Isaiah Shirley appeared in four games, preserving his fresh- man eligibility. Most of his snaps came as a blocking tight end. He's back with the defense this year and will likely factor into the rotation. "He's poised to come onto the scene, and people will start knowing what he's about," Wiles said. "There's a guy probably with a high ceiling." This year, Wiles said fans need to keep an eye on redshirt junior Travali Price, who played in a rotational role last fall. "Everybody is going to know him next year," Wiles said. "If he does what he should do, and what he's showing, the trajec- tory that he's on right now, we're seeing a lot of very strong signs that this dude's getting ready to take this thing over." BY THE NUMBERS 1 Davin Vann's coveted jersey number, symbolic of his role as one of the Pack's primary leaders. 10 Vann's sack total over the past two seasons. 86 Brandon Cleveland's elite Pro Football Focus grade during a breakout perfor- mance against Notre Dame last season. SPOTLIGHT PLAYER JUNIOR BRANDON CLEVELAND Cleveland has an opportunity to continue the Pack's recent standard of excel- lence at nose tackle. After beginning his career at defensive end as a true freshman and appearing in six games, he bulked up to 300 pounds to slide inside. Cleveland played between 12 and 26 snaps per game during the 2023 season. He recorded at least 1 tackle in all but one game last year, including a breakout performance against Notre Dame. The lineman showed off his talent with a huge sack and a forced fumble. Later in the year, he recorded 1.5 sacks against Marshall. "He's a big guy that can move in there, and he's very smart," defensive coordina - tor Tony Gibson said. "I really like the way he plays, and he's going to anchor our nose position." ■ POSITIONAL GRADES ★★★★ Among country's best; ★★★ Among ACC's best; ★★ Solid or has potential; ★ Too unproven STARTERS ★★★ He does not receive the same accolades as his peers, but Davin Vann is one of the top defensive linemen in the ACC. The senior's disruptive pres- ence is a critical component of the defense. Brandon Cleveland showed seri- ous flashes as an underclassman and has All-ACC potential in the middle of the defense. EXPERIENCE ★★★ Vann is the only multi-year starter up front, but other than Isaiah Shirley, a redshirt freshman, this rotation will be made up of juniors, seniors and a graduate. Cleveland played 284 snaps as the reserve nose tackle and by the end of the year looked ready to start. Travali Price, Red Hibbler and Noah Potter all played valuable rotational roles. DEPTH ★★ Defensive coordinator Tony Gibson said the Pack has seven or eight defensive linemen who can rotate along its defensive front. OVERALL ★★★ Vann gives this unit a solid floor, but continued improvement from Cleveland and Price will make it one of the ACC's best. If Chazz Wallace or DJ Jackson can play con- sistent, productive snaps at nose tackle, and Price emerges as a difference-maker, this position group should be a team strength. PROJECTED DEPTH CHART STARTERS No. Name Year Ht. Wt. Hometown 44 Brandon Cleveland Jr. 6-4 300 Tampa, Fla. 13 Travali Price R-Jr. 6-4 270 Lincolnton, N.C. 1 Davin Vann Sr. 6-2 280 Cary, N.C. BACKUPS No. Name Year Ht. Wt. Hometown 4 Red Hibbler R-Sr. 6-2 264 Louisville, Miss. 97 Noah Potter Gr. 6-6 272 Mentor, Ohio 88 Isaiah Shirley R-Fr. 6-3 273 Boone, N.C. 52 Chazz Wallace Sr. 6-2 300 Glenarden, Md. WAITING IN THE WINGS No. Name Year Ht. Wt. Hometown 45 Josh Alexander-Felton Fr. 6-3 255 Orlando, Fla. 92 Chase Bond Fr. 6-4 255 Massillon, Ohio 99 DJ Jackson R-So. 6-1 272 Sumter, S.C. 98 Justin Terrell Fr. 6-3 280 Rome, Ga. DAVIN VANN PHOTO BY GREGG FORWERCK