The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1536961
JULY/AUGUST 2025 ■ 33 ❱ ❱ ❱ DEFENSIVE LINE TIME TO GET MULTIPLE BY NOAH FLEISCHMAN W hen D.J. Eliot was hired in late December as NC State's defensive coordinator, he talked at his introductory press conference about using multiple fronts. In the months since, that philosophical change has gone from idea to reality. Under former defensive coordinator Tony Gibson, who left to become head coach at Marshall, the Pack operated in a 3-3-5 scheme. But with Eliot at the helm, it's likely that the team will use some four- and even five-man fronts with the intent of keeping opponents off-balance. "Being able to add a fourth or a fifth component to the line of scrimmage benefits us in stopping the run and creating a pass rush, at times," head coach Dave Doeren said. "It's not a knock on what we were doing, but I think it's just another way we can do well. … It's another chance to be multiple from a three-down front and be able to get into four-two and five- man looks. "There are different things we can do to make the offensive line and quarterback have to work harder to figure out what their blocking schemes and protections are going to be." NC State's defensive line will feature senior nose tackle Brandon Cleveland and redshirt senior defensive end Travali Price, both of whom are entering their second seasons as full-time starters. But with the team looking to replace Davin Vann, who exhausted his eligibility, it could rely on Texas Tech transfer Joseph Adedire opposite Price. Adedire, a redshirt junior, missed last season with an injury but made 14 starts in his previous two seasons with the Red Raiders. He posted 44 total tackles with 2 sacks and a pass defended over that stretch. Behind its top trio, the Wolfpack has built some depth. Red- shirt senior Sabastian Harsh, a Wyoming transfer, and redshirt sophomore Isaiah Shirley are expected to have key roles at defensive end, while Chazz Wallace is ready to be Cleveland's backup at nose tackle following his redshirt season in 2024. PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE FOOTBALL BY THE NUMBERS 64 Snaps played by Travali Price against Georgia Tech last season, a single-game career-high. 19 Quarterback pressures by Brandon Cleveland during the 2024 season. 50 Colby Cronk's sack total at Fla- gler (Fla.) Palm Coast High, the most in school history. ■ POSITIONAL GRADES ★★★★ Among country's best; ★★★ Among ACC's best; ★★ Solid or has potential; ★ Too unproven STARTERS ★★★ NC State has some big shoes to fill with Davin Vann exiting. Can Travali Price step into Vann's role this season? Or will Texas Tech transfer Joseph Adedire, who missed last season due to an injury, fit the bill as a veteran defensive end? The Wolfpack will need a pass rusher to step up and find ways to impact the game like Vann did last year, when he finished second in the nation with 6 forced fumbles. If that happens, this group could outperform its rating. EXPERIENCE ★★★ The Wolfpack's top seven defensive linemen have all played col- legiate snaps. A wealth of experience is one of this unit's underrated assets, especially considering that the Pack likes to rotate its play- ers up front at a consistent rate. DEPTH ★★★ Going deep into the reserves shouldn't be an issue for the Wolfpack this season. Seven players have seen action at the collegiate level before, meaning that the Pack can plug and play several different combinations on the front. That's a by- product of the transfer portal, but a nice luxury to have going into the 2025 campaign. OVERALL GRADE ★★★ NC State's defensive line will feature some new wrinkles in coordinator D.J. Eliot's system, but the unit should be consis- tent due to its depth. If it can find a breakout player this fall, watch out for what it can do. PROJECTED DEPTH CHART STARTERS No. Name Year Ht. Wt. Hometown 13 Travali Price R-Sr. 6-4 283 Lincolnton, N.C. 44 Brandon Cleveland Sr. 6-4 315 Tampa, Fla. 25 Joseph Adedire R-Jr. 6-3 265 Arlington, Texas BACKUPS 88 Isaiah Shirley R-So. 6-3 276 Boone, N.C. 52 Chazz Wallace Gr. 6-2 317 Glenarden, Md. 43 AJ Prim R-So. 6-2 287 Foley, Ala. 54 Sabastian Harsh R-Sr. 6-3 251 Scottsbluff, Neb. WAITING IN THE WINGS 92 Chase Bond R-Fr. 6-4 272 Massillon, Ohio 98 Justin Terrell R-Fr. 6-3 316 Rome, Ga. 95 Josiah Victor Fr. 6-2 320 Loganville, Ga. 58 Colby Cronk Fr. 6-3 270 Palm Coast, Fla. SPOTLIGHT PLAYER SENIOR DEFENSIVE TACKLE BRANDON CLEVELAND With Davin Vann gone, the Wolfpack needs new leaders to emerge. Cleveland, who has risen through the ranks during his time in Ra- leigh, looks like he fits the bill, even if he doesn't necessarily feel like the veteran of the group. "It goes by so quick, sometimes I forget I'm the older guy," Cleveland said with a laugh. "If someone's doing something wrong, I need to make sure I correct it and lead them the right way." Cleveland was able to learn from Vann's leadership over the past three years. His biggest takeaways from watch - ing the two-time owner of NC State's No. 1 jersey are leading by example, while also loving and supporting his teammates. BRANDON CLEVELAND