The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1534227
TRACKING THE PACK 12 ■ THE WOLFPACKER Three Transfers To Bolster Wolfpack Defense NC State added three players to its roster at the conclusion of spring prac- tice, earning commitments from edge rushers Cian Slone of Utah State and Sabastian Harsh of Wyoming, and line- backer Kenny Soares Jr. of Northwestern. Slone and Harsh each have one season of eligibility remaining, while Soares has two. The 6-foot-4, 235-pound Slone proj- ects to play outside linebacker at NC State this fall. He had 49 tackles, includ- ing 9.5 for loss and 7.5 sacks, during the 2024 campaign. A native of Rocklin, Calif., Slone had at least 1 tackle in all 12 games and started the Aggies' final eight contests last fall. Once he worked his way into the starting lineup, Slone posted at least 4 tackles in every game, including a season-best 9 stops in a 41-20 win over San Diego State. Before Slone arrived at Utah State, he spent two seasons at North Highlands (Calif.) American River College. As a sophomore, he was named a California Community College Football Coaches Association All-American and its Defen- sive MVP after he posted 84 total tackles, including 22 for loss and 12 sacks. Shortly after Slone announced his commitment on April 5, Harsh joined him on the Pack's defensive front. He projects to play as an edge rusher along with Temple transfer Tra Thomas, who arrived over the winter. Harsh spent the past five years at Wyoming, redshirting during the 2020 season and missing the 2022 campaign with an injury. He posted 98 total tack- les, including 18 for loss and 5 sacks, in his three healthy seasons with the Cowboys. Harsh appeared in eight games this past season, finishing with 41 total tack- les, including 9 for loss and 2 sacks. He was credited by Pro Football Focus with 20 quarterback pressures. Harsh recorded at least 4 tackles in each of his eight appearances last season, in- cluding a season-high 7 in Wyoming's 34-14 loss to BYU on Sept. 14. A third-team All-Mountain West se- lection by Phil Steele in 2023, Harsh put together his best campaign two years ago, totaling 50 tackles, including 9 for loss and 3 sacks. Harsh's addition brings another expe- rienced defensive end to the Wolfpack, which lost standout Davin Vann to gradu- ation following the 2024 season. Soares, a 6-2, 231-pounder from Trum- bull, Conn., is set to boost the Pack's linebacker corps after making 24 game appearances and five starts the past two seasons at Northwestern. Over that span, he totaled 57 tackles, including 5.5 for loss and 2.5 sacks. Soares made a career-best 7 tackles to help the Wildcats beat Utah, 14-7, in the 2023 Las Vegas Bowl. He will be a redshirt junior for the Pack this fall. Belton Seen As Potential Top-75 Pick In Draft Graduate offensive tackle Anthony Bel- ton had NFL scouts showing up in waves throughout the fall to evaluate him in per- son. Now, with the draft fast approach- ing, Belton is bolstering his pro football credentials. In February, Belton was among the top performers at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. On the heels of that performance, he appeared at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis and was able to make his case in front of all 32 teams. Belton's measurables included a 5.26-second 40-yard dash, 29.5-inch vertical jump, and 8-foot-11 broad jump. The Tallahassee, Fla., native also turned in a 7.77-second time in the three-cone drill that ranked ninth among the offen- sive linemen in attendance. After his solid performance at Lucas Oil Stadium, Belton appeared to have boosted his stock. He's viewed as a potential Day 2 pick, with ESPN's Jordan Reid naming him one of the biggest offensive line risers of the combine. "Belton continued to get better each season as the anchor of NC State's offen- sive line at left tackle," Reid wrote. "His best part of the workout came during the on-field drills. At 6-foot-6, 336 pounds, he showed suddenness in his lower body and good change-of-direction skills. "There are some teams that like Belton as a guard, but because of his length, he would be better served by trying to play tackle first. Belton could be among the top 75 picks because of his power and po- sitional versatility." Belton has several teams interested in his services. The offensive lineman told reporters at the combine that he had made "top 30" visits with the Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles. Teams are allowed to invite 30 prospects to their facility for additional interviews, physicals and game film reviews ahead of the draft. Belton anchored NC State's offensive line this last fall, apperaing in all 12 games, with 11 starts at left tackle and 741 snaps played. The Pack's top draft prospect al- lowed only 12 quarterback pressures and 3 sacks on 438 pass-blocking snaps. Belton stands to become the Wolfpack's 30th draft pick in Dave Doeren's 12 sea- sons as head coach. Six of those draftees have been offensive linemen, including at least one in each of the past three drafts. - Noah Fleischman ■ RED AND WHITE NOTEBOOK Cian Slone is headed to NC State after totaling 9.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks at Utah State last year. PHOTO COURTESY CIAN SLONE