The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1525890
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2024 ■ 31 "One thing I've noticed about KC is that his legs are so much stronger," Bur- nette said. "Seeing him squat and move weight around, he's much more power- ful. He's faster, which is really cool. He's still young — he's only in his second year — but he's a hard-working dude in the weight room." 4. WR Noah Rogers NC State was successful in the trans- fer portal this offseason, and Rogers was one of its key acquisitions. He was a five-star prospect when he signed with Ohio State, and he's deserving of a spot on NC State's "Freak's List." "He came into our program not hav- ing a lot of experience in the weight room," Burnette said. "But now, since he's gotten stronger, it's good to see him out when we're doing the field stuff." While Rogers is an elite talent on the field, his ability to get after it in the weight room has been just as impressive. He's added hamstring strength since starting out in Burnette's program, and that has allowed him to squat 315 pounds and run excellent 40-yard dash (4.52 seconds) and pro agility (4.20) times. But it's what Rogers does on the field that earned him a spot on the list. Said Burnette, "When you put the ball in his hands, there are some things he can do that a lot of people can't." 3. CB Brandon Cisse Few players on NC State's roster gen- erated more preseason buzz than Cisse. The sophomore impressed as the Pack's dime cornerback during his freshman season, recording 10 tackles with an in- terception, but when he hit the field for spring practice he was on another level. Cisse dazzled early in the spring slate, setting the tone for the rest of his off- season. And while he did well on the practice field, his off-the-field num- bers were eye-popping. Cisse ran an elite 4.03 pro agility drill and jumped nearly 40 inches while also turning in impressive performances in the squat (435 pounds) and bench press (300). Those efforts put Cisse high on Bur- nette's list. "Brandon Cisse killed it in every phase of our offseason program," Bur- nette said. "From winter to spring to right now, it's been pretty impressive." 2. DE Travali Price This could be a big year for Price, a redshirt junior. NC State entered the offseason with needs at defensive end and was looking for someone to step up after Savion Jackson exhausted his eligibility. It looks like Price is the one who de- cided it was his time to shine on the gridiron for the Wolfpack. He took care of his body in the offseason, adding 13 pounds of muscle to weigh in at 283. In Burnette's eyes, Price "looks like Bradley Chubb" with his body type. That's some high praise for Price, who wants to have a career-best season on the defensive line. "You can tell he's very in tune with his body, taking care of his body, hydrat- ing, sleeping," Burnette said. "I know for him, his faith means a lot. That's something that he has really leaned on. … He looks different." Price's elite marks at squat (475) and bench press (415) helped confirm his improvements this offseason going into a pivotal 2024 campaign. 1. DE Davin Vann Need an all-around elite athlete? You have come to the right place. Senior defensive end Davin Vann con- stantly turns heads in the weight room and on the field, and he did it again this year. The 6-foot-2, 276-pound pass rusher posted an elite squat (420 pounds) with quick times in the 40-yard dash (4.63) and pro agility drill (4.40). "It's pretty impressive, the things that he can do as it pertains to being in the weight room," Burnette said. Vann also made the national "Freaks List" compiled by Bruce Feldman of The Athletic. Feldman ranked him sixth on the 100-player list, describing him as "a disruptive force for the Wolfpack." ■ Sophomore wide receiver KC Concepcion got more muscular this offseason while also improving his elite speed. He recently ran a 4.43-second 40-yard dash. PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE ATHLETICS NC State 'Freaks List' Testing Numbers Player 40 Pro Agility Vertical Squat Bench Anthony Belton 5.44 4.52 30.1 575 365 Brandon Cisse 4.49 4.03 39.7 435 300 KC Concepcion 4.43 4.15 35 405 300 Travali Price — — 27.9 475 415 Noah Rogers 4.52 4.20 34.3 315 260 Davin Vann 4.63 4.40 34.5 590 420