The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/337646
JULY 2014 ■ 99 FOOTBALL 2014 Rk. Player Year Position 1. Jacoby Brissett R-Jr. QB The Wolfpack suffered from inconsistent quarterbacking last season, but Brissett flashed his potential during the spring game and should bring stability to the position. 2. Shadrach Thornton Jr. RB In his nine starts last season, Thornton averaged 83.0 yards rushing a game, which projects out to 996 yards over a full season. 3. Bryan Underwood 5th-Sr. WR The Pack hopes a healthy Underwood finds his comfort zone like he appeared to be doing before he broke his collarbone in 2013. He caught 24 passes for 326 yards, including an 80-yard touchdown, in his last four games. 4. Joe Thuney R-Jr. OG He might be NCSU's best lineman and finally gets a chance to start at what should be his best position, offensive guard. 5. Rob Crisp 5th-Sr. OT His return could solidify the left tackle position and allow Thuney's move to the interior. Crisp will protect Brissett's blind side. 6. Thomas Teal 5th-Sr. DT Has quietly been Mr. Steady in the interior of the line for the past two seasons, and is coming off his best year yet with 40 tackles, 10.5 stops for loss and three sacks. 7. Art Norman 5th-Sr. DE The leader of NCSU's defensive line and best pass rusher has 27.5 career sacks and will be counted on to get to the quarterback even more in 2014. 8. Juston Burris R-Jr. CB In his first full season as a starter, he had 54 tackles, six passes broken up and an intercep - tion, and he has the size (6-1, 207 pounds) that coaches covet now at corner. 9. Hakim Jones R-Jr. S Flashed his potential last year in his first season as a starter with 61 tackles, eight passes broken up and a pair of picks. 10. Brandon Pittman Sr. LB Had a two-week stretch in road games at Duke and Boston College where he compiled 24 total tackles, including four for loss and two sacks. If he can play like that more consistently it would be a big boost for Pack's defense. 11. Tyson Chandler 5th-Sr. OT Entering his third season as a starter at right tackle and reputedly in the best shape of his career. 12. Monty Nelson So. DT Displayed exciting potential as a true freshman, starting five games despite a crowded and talented depth chart at defensive tackle. 13. T.Y. McGill Sr. DT May not have played as well in 2013 as he did the year before, but showed in the spring game he is still a force in the interior of the Pack's line. Rk. Player Year Position 14. Quinton Schooley Jr. C Played every snap last season, an outstanding performance for a late addition to the squad who was a backup tackle at El Dorado (Kan.) Butler Community College. 15. Jack Tocho So. CB Has the size (6-1, 196 pounds) and speed to be a big-time corner, and he showed exciting potential as a true freshman. 16. Mike Rose R-Jr. DE Rose was a destructive force in the spring game, perhaps an indication that it is starting to come together for the athletic end who could give State a second pass rusher off the edge. 17. Bo Hines Fr. WR The undisputed breakout star of the spring game with 10 catches for 132 yards, displaying the potential to be a significant boost to the passing game. 18. Niklas Sade Sr. PK Was one of the best placekickers in the ACC last year, nailing 19 of 23 field goals with a long of 48, and he could be an all-conference contender this fall. 19. M.J. Salahuddin Jr. LB Ended spring as the starter at middle linebacker and will battle redshirt freshman Jerod Fernandez to hold onto the job in the fall. 20. David J. Grinnage R-So. TE Another player who showcased his potential in his rookie campaign, catching 15 passes for 150 yards and a touchdown. 21. Alex Barr R-Jr. OG Quietly improved as last season, starting the last 10 games at right guard and helping to stabilize the line. 22. Josh Jones R-Fr. S Talented redshirt freshman had a knack for making plays on both sides of the ball at Walled Lake (Mich.) Western High, and he used those skills with his imposing size (6-2, 210 pounds) to run with the starters in the spring game. 23. Matt Dayes So. RB Showed last fall as a true freshman that he was capable of helping Thornton and Tony Creecy in shouldering the load at running back and earned praise this spring for improving his conditioning. 24. Jumichael Ramos So. WR Finished his true freshman season strong with 14 catches for 223 yards and three touch - downs in the final five games, and along with classmate Marquez Valdes-Scantling is seeking to continue his development. 25. Wil Baumann Sr. P Improved his punting average for the third straight year, booming a 42.2-yard average last season that ranked seventh in the ACC. 2014 NC State Top 25 98-100,102.Top 25 Players.indd 99 6/27/14 10:18 AM