The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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MARCH 2014 ■ 33 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE and working inside-out. "That state is very difficult to keep kids home. The other southeast schools look at it as North Carolina is ours, and we are going to go in there. It's a chal- lenging job because you are getting hit from the north and south." Farrell has three of NC State's signees in the Rivals' final listing of the country's top 250 players — No. 43 defensive end Kentavius Street of Greenville (N.C.) Rose, No. 213 strong safety Germaine Pratt of High Point (N.C.) Central and No. 241 defensive end Justin Jones of Austell (Ga.) South Cobb. The 6-2, 264-pound Street, the No. w overall player in the state and a U.S. Army All-American, was a monumental victory. Street actually grew up in Doug- las, Ga., but quickly became impressed with NC State after moving in for his junior year at Greenville (N.C.) Rose. "Street is a very powerful guy who played over the tackle a lot," Farrell said. "He is used to being engaged at the line of scrimmage and holds the line very well. He has a tremendous motor and doesn't stop moving. He could eventu- ally move inside and be a tremendous defensive tackle." NC State projected Pratt to play ei- ther strong safety or outside linebacker, and Farrell settled on projecting him at the latter. However, he is confident Pratt could handle playing safety if the 6-3, 195-pounder doesn't outgrow the posi- tion. "We were up and down on him for a while, but finished more up than down," Farrell said. "We really like him and think he can be a captain on the defense and leader in the defensive secondary." The 6-3, 275-pound Jones plays a physical brand of football and impressed Farrell at the Under Armour-sponsored Rivals.com camp in Atlanta last spring. "Jones threw on his Under Armour gear and just went out there and was dominant," Farrell said. "Technique- wise, he was a lot less raw than we ex- pected him to be. He was physical and aggressive, and I think he could be a great pass rusher for them." Rivals.com ranked 15 of the NCSU signees nationally at their respective po- sitions. Quarterback Jalan McClendon of Charlotte West Mecklenburg moved up to No. 18 among pro-style quarterbacks in the country after playing well in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas. The 6-5, 195-pounder will get the chance to learn behind redshirt junior quarterback Ja- coby Brissett the next two years before possibly being entrusted with running the show. "I think McClendon could be the per- fect fit for that offense in a couple of years," Farrell said. "He is tall, skinny and can move around. He has a live arm, and he will have to get used to the speed of the game. We have him as a pro-style quarterback because he is much more comfortable in the pocket. "I don't expect him to be a guy that runs for a ton of yards in college, but he knows how to move around and move the pocket. He can take a negative play and make it a positive with his feet." NC State was able to "flip" seven dif- ferent players — prospects that com- mitted to another school but ended up decommitting and eventually signing with the Wolfpack. Burlington (N.C.) Cummings offensive lineman Will Rich- ardson, who is 6-6 and 308 pounds, was among the seven, and could fill a crucial role if he develops at left tackle. "Richardson has the size and wingspan to be one of those top second to third round NFL Draft picks," Farrell said. "He is a guy that is kind of raw at this stage, but we could be looking at a future two- or- three-year starting left tackle. That is obviously extremely important for any offense." Charlotte Mallard Creek do-it-all back Jaylen Samuels finished as the No. 2-ranked fullback in the country by Rivals.com. He could also play some tailback or H-back in the Wolfpack's of- fense. The 6-0, 225-pounder rushed for 1,404 yards and 39 touchdowns on 109 carries, and caught 49 passes for 932 yards and 16 scores in helping Mallard Creek win the 4-AA state title. "He's a big kid and a downhill runner, and comes from a tremendous program," Farrell said. "I don't think he has the speed to bounce things, but he can be an inside guy. I can see him being a short- yardage guy and change-of-pace guy to wear the defense down a bit." Farrell was particularly impressed with Palm Beach Gardens (Fla.) Dwyer safety Shawn Boone and Baltimore Gilman School cornerback Troy Vincent Jr., who decommitted from Penn State and is the son of the former NFL star cornerback by the same name. Both players are listed at 5-10 and 185 pounds, but Farrell believes they outplay their size. "I like Boone a lot and I think he could play cornerback, but NC State wants him at safety," Farrell said. "He could very good as a nickel guy playing over the slot. He'll fill out at 205 or 215 pounds and be a physical guy that takes care of the middle of the field. "Vincent is a guy that has a lot of athleticism and is obviously very well coached by his dad. He comes from a great program, a winning program. My only concern I have with him is handling bigger wide receivers." Vincent was one of four players from Maryland signed by NC State. Farrell said Hyattsville (Md.) DeMatha Catholic defensive end Deonte Holden is another one to watch. The 6-5, 220-pounder has room to grow into his frame and could complement the powerful Street and Jones off the edge with his speed. "If you get in with those Maryland schools, you are going to get good foot- ball players every year," Farrell said. ■ "They did a good job by doing what [former head coach] Tom O'Brien wanted to do by taking care of the in-state kids [16 signees] and working inside-out. That state is very difficult to keep kids home." ■ Rivals.com national recruiting analyst Mike Farrell High Point (N.C.) Central strong safety Ger- maine Pratt (No. 213) was one of three Wolf- pack signees listed in Rivals' top 250 players nationally. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM 32-33.Signing Day Overview.indd 33 2/25/14 3:41 PM