The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1525890
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2024 ■ 39 Seattle Seahawks. It did not seem likely, though, that the Titans would move on from incumbent kicker Nick Folk at the end of training camp. RB Trent Pennix (2018-23), India- napolis Colts: He transitioned from tight end to running back after signing as an undrafted free agent but suffered a groin injury in his preseason debut. Pennix logged 1 reception for 7 yards in the contest. The Colts placed him on the injured reserve, and he was later waived with an injury settlement. LB Germaine Pratt (2014-18), Cincinnati Bengals: Has become one of Cincinnati's go-to defenders. He boasts 473 career tackles, with 3.5 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, 5 interceptions and 3 fumble recoveries during his first five seasons in the NFL. Pratt had a career- best 118 tackles last fall. LS Joe Shimko (2019-23), Arizona Cardinals: Signed with the Cardinals as an undrafted free agent earlier this year. Shimko never had a bad snap in his five-year NC State career, but Ya- hoo Sports did not project him to win a roster spot. D E J a m e s S m i t h -W i l l i a m s (2015-19), Atlanta Falcons: Spent his first four NFL seasons with the Wash- ington Commanders, where he logged 85 total tackles and 7 sacks. This offsea- son, he elected to find a new home and landed with the Falcons on a one-year contract. The team's website projected him to make the 53-man roster at out- side linebacker. DL Kentavius Street (2014-17), Atlanta Falcons: Was traded to the Falcons from the Philadelphia Eagles midway through the 2023 season in ex- change for a sixth-round pick. He suf- fered a pectoral injury that ended his season with four games to play. Street re-signed with the Falcons on a one-year contract for this season. He boasts 89 career tackles, including 7.5 sacks, with 2 passes defended, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery. He projects to make the 53-man roster on the defensive line, according to the Falcons' team website. WR Thayer Thomas (2017-22), Minnesota Vikings: Joined NC State's football team as a walk-on and became an effective wideout for the Wolfpack. Now, he's doing much the same at the NFL level. An undrafted free agent with the Vikings last year, he made the team's practice squad and is looking to make the 53-man roster this fall. He has yet to appear in an NFL regular-season game. L B D ra ke T h o m a s ( 2 0 19 -2 2 ) , Seattle Seahawks: Thayer Thomas' younger brother is looking to earn a spot on the Seahawks' active roster. He made it last year before suffering a season- ending knee injury after seven games. That was his first year on a 53-man roster, and he appears to be just off the Seahawks' active roster, according to Sporting News. OL Joe Thuney (2011-15), Kansas City Chiefs: The four-time Super Bowl champion is set for his fifth season with the Chiefs. He was a Pro Bowl selection last season, his second time winning the honor, while earning a first-team All- Pro nod. He did not play in the preseason due to a pectoral injury but is expected to be available for Kansas City's season opener against the Baltimore Ravens. LB Payton Wilson (2018-23), Pittsburgh Steelers: NC State's most decorated defender in recent history after winning the Bednarik and But- kus awards last season, Wilson began his professional career as a third-round pick by the Steelers. He dazzled in his preseason debut with a team-best 7 tackles (5 solo), including 1 for a loss. QB Russell Wilson (2007-10, fin- ished at Wisconsin in 2011), Pitts- burgh Steelers: After the Denver Bron- cos cut him in March, he landed on his feet with a one-year, veteran minimum contract with the Steelers — his third NFL team. The nine-time Pro Bowl se- lection is looking to revive his career with the Steelers after a pair of disappointing seasons in Denver. He has been compet- ing with former Bears quarterback Justin Fields to earn the Steelers' starting spot. The two signal-callers have been split- ting first-team reps, and there is a chance both could see the field this season, ac- cording to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. OL Chandler Zavala (2021-22), Carolina Panthers: Entered the league as a fourth-round pick last year and was named the Panthers' starting right guard in Week 1. He moved to left guard for the next four games before suffering a neck injury in Week 5 and a knee injury in Week 11. He played 374 total snaps on the Panthers' offensive line as a rookie. ■ Joe Thuney won his fourth Super Bowl ring last year as a guard for the Kansas City Chiefs. He was tabbed as a first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection. PHOTO COURTESY KANSAS CITY CHIEFS