The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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36 ■ THE WOLFPACKER ❱ ❱ ❱ SPECIAL TEAMS BIG SHOES TO FILL BY ETHAN MCDOWELL N C State has established a standard of excellence on special teams over the past few seasons. Sometimes it shows up on the biggest stage possible, like the Pack's momentum-shifting onside kick against North Carolina in 2022. On other occasions, it's the quiet consis- tency that matters most — for example, former long snapper Joe Shimko, who played five seasons in Raleigh without a bad snap. In 2022, kicker Christopher Dunn won the Lou Groza Award. Shimko received the Patrick Mannelly Award the next season. Both accolades recognized the top special- ist nationally at their respective positions. Special teams coordinator Todd Goeb- bel and quality control coach Jackson White do not want to put unnecessary stress on the new specialists by overemphasizing the previous success of the program, but there is a high bar for that phase of the game in Raleigh. Returning redshirt junior punter Caden Noonkester, redshirt freshman long snapper Aiden Arias and redshirt sophomore kicker Kanoah Vinesett appear set to continue NC State's special teams excellence. Goebbel emphasized that the specialists have to get there in their own way. "They've all have to be themselves, and they all have their own approach to reach their own greatness," Goeb- bel said. For the first time in years, NC State needs to replace a kicker and a long snapper in the same year. Following the departure of kicker Brayden Narveson and Shimko, the Pack is holding an open competition. For now, Goebbel does not want to rule anyone out of the " highly competitive" race for starting spots. "They understand that when your number is called, you've got to be at your best," Goebbel said. "There aren't any redos on special teams. Re- dos and 'my bads' don't work, and you don't get another down." SPOTLIGHT PLAYER REDSHIRT JUNIOR CADEN NOONKESTER Todd Goebbel takes a patient approach to punter development. The Wolfpack special teams coordinator believes that regardless of a freshman specialist's natural talent, he'll need time to acclimate to the college game. Noonkester had the ability. That's why NC State recruited him. He spent nearly two years developing but emerged as the starter for the final four games of the 2022 season. The redshirt junior averaged 43 yards per punt that season and remained consistent through the next year as well. "When his number was called, he was prepared," Goebbel said. "And he went in and has not looked back." Noonkester ranked No. 10 in the ACC last season at 42.6 yards per attempt but also logged a 67-yard boot at one point — the third-longest mark in the confer - ence. "On Saturdays when the ball is snapped back there, he's been pretty good for the last couple of years," Goebbel said. "I'm excited to see what he's going to do here in his third year of playing." ■ POSITIONAL GRADES ★★★★ Among country's best; ★★★ Among ACC's best; ★★ Solid or has potential; ★ Too unproven STARTERS ★★ Caden Noonkester returns as the Pack's likely starting punter and was solid in that role last season, averaging 42.6 yards per attempt. Kanoah Vinesett appears set to take over placekicking duties and has the momentum to beat out the experienced Collin Smith, but that position battle will continue into camp. NC State also has con - fidence in Aiden Arias at long snapper. EXPERIENCE ★ NC State feels good about its kicking situation, but it won't know anything defini- tive until the lights are bright. Vinesett has only attempted 1 extra point and no field goals. Arias logged 5 bowl game snaps as a true freshman. Noonkester is the lone specialist with a full year of starting experience. DEPTH ★★ NC State remains in a good spot at kicker because Smith withdrew from the portal. The graduate placekicker will likely handle kickoff duties. He has limited field goal experience but sets a pretty high floor for that position. There is no experi- enced depth at the punter and long snapper positions. OVERALL ★★ The Wolfpack expects excellence out of its specialists. Noonkester has shown the potential to reach the heights of his predecessors. The reset of the unit remains a rel- ative unknown, but behind the scenes there's plenty of confidence in both positions. BY THE NUMBERS 57 The yardage on Brayden Narveson's NC State-record field goal, a kick that supplied the Pack's only points in a 24-3 loss to Duke last October. 5 The star ranking by Kohls and Kornblue Kicking for Aiden Arias coming out of high school. CADEN NOONKESTER PHOTO BY LARRY BLANKENSHIP PROJECTED DEPTH CHART STARTERS No. Name Year Ht. Wt. Hometown 98 Caden Noonkester (P) R-Jr. 6-6 215 Waxhaw, N.C. 92 Aiden Arias (LS) R-Fr. 6-0 194 Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 94 Kanoah Vinesett (PK) R-So. 6-0 193 Rock Hill, S.C. WAITING IN THE WINGS No. Name Year Ht. Wt. Hometown 96 Owen Fehr (P) R-Fr. 5-11 175 Cornelius, N.C. 90 Collin Smith (PK) Gr. 5-9 179 Gibsonville, N.C. 95 Jake Mann (LS) R-Jr. 5-10 235 Chapel Hill, N.C.