The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/337646
JULY 2014 ■ 115 Safety Brandan Bishop started 46 games during his career, and finished with the fifth- most interceptions (12) and 17th-most tackles (315) in program history. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN Class Grade: D+ Tom O'Brien's second full class at NC State failed to hit the mark, and the void was felt in 2013. While there were some very solid players who were talented enough to have an impact, there was a lack of star power. The result was a group that failed to have a player drafted into the NFL or selected first-team All-ACC. The class was not a total failure — it featured a collection of players who were able to make positive impacts at NC State for some good teams during the 2010-12 seasons. Name Pos. Starts Morgan Alexander WR 0 Was dismissed after his redshirt freshman season. Matriculated to Chattahoochee Technical College in northern Georgia and from there went to the University of Pikeville in Pikeville, Ky. Brandan Bishop S 46 Started four years, including eight as a true freshman when he was named to the ACC All- Freshman team by Sporting News. Piled up 315 career tackles, 12 interceptions and eight passes broken up. He is tied for fifth all time in career picks for the Wolfpack. Spent last season on the Minnesota Vikings' practice squad. Jarvis Byrd DB 8 Had a promising career sidetracked repeatedly by three different ACL tears. Was granted a rare sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA and should be on the field this fall for the Pack. Darryl Cato-Bishop DE 29 A solid three-year starter who finished his career with 11 sacks and 20.5 tackles for loss among his 99 total hits. He was an honorable mention All-ACC pick by the sportswriters in 2012. Signed an undrafted free agent contract with the New York Jets in 2014. Ryan Cheek LB/FB 2 After three years with little action as a reserve linebacker that played mainly special teams, moved to fullback during preseason camp last year and caught a pair of passes for 19 yards while making two starts. Duran Christophe OG 30 A mainstay at left guard for much of the last three seasons for NCSU, starting 27 games there (and three at right guard). Donald Coleman S 0 Redshirted and then played sparingly as a reserve in loaded defensive backfield at NC State for two years. After graduating, he transferred to Eastern Michigan where he made 160 tackles in two seasons. Sylvester Crawford DE 0 A reserve for three years after redshirting in 2009. Planned to transfer to UNC Pembroke but did not end up there for the 2013 season. Rickey Dowdy LB 13 Broke out as a redshirt junior in 2012, starting all 13 games and leading the front seven defenders with 103 tackles, including a team-high 16.5 for loss and 3.5 sacks, but was dismissed from team following the season. Transferred to Cumberland College in Lebanon, Tenn., where he had 20 tackles in six games, including two starts, last year. Denzelle Good OL 0 Shoulder surgery forced him to redshirt his freshman year, and he was then dismissed from the team. Enrolled at Mars Hill (N.C.) College in fall of 2012 and was named first-team All-South Atlantic Conference as a redshirt sophomore last year. Dean Haynes DB/RB 8 Was recruited to play defensive back and redshirted his freshman year there before moving to tailback in 2010. Started the first eight games of the season, finished with 83 carries for 320 yards and three scores, and recorded 13 receptions for 118 yards and one TD. Returned to safety in 2011 and made 10 tackles as a reserve. Transferred to UT Chattanooga follow - ing that season, but injuries limited to him to just six games in two seasons. Natanu Mageo DT 13 Junior college transfer played as a reserve in 2009 and then emerged as one of the unsung leaders on the 2010 squad that ended the season ranked No. 25, starting every game that season. Ended two-year career with 35 tackles, including nine for loss and five sacks. Name Pos. Starts Quintin Payton WR 21 Redshirted and then had to wait his turn for two years before breaking out as a junior with 51 receptions for a team-high 798 yards and two scores. Numbers dipped as a fifth-year senior, but he still tied for team high with three touchdown catches. Concluded career with 85 catches for 1,424 yards and six scores. Everett Proctor QB/S/WR 0 Recruited to play quarterback, but moved to safety and then receiver after shoulder surgery. Was dismissed from team after 2010 season and transferred to Winston-Salem State. Had three interceptions for the Rams last year. Hans Rice LB 0 Redshirted in 2009 and played sparingly, mainly on special teams, in 2010 before transfer - ring to Samford, where he was a reserve linebacker. Deion Roberson DT 0 Never fully healed from a dislocated ankle he suffered during his senior season at Tucker (Ga.) High School and received a medical hardship at NCSU without ever playing for State. Brian Slay DL 24 Versatile defensive lineman played as a true freshman and enjoyed a solid four-year career, piling up 83 total tackles, including 12.5 for loss and six sacks, and recovering four fumbles, one of which he returned for a touchdown. Rashard Smith CB/WR 15 One of the success stories of the 2009 class. Two-star prospect played on both sides of the ball, piling up 32 tackles, including three for loss and a sack, and breaking up a pair of passes on defense early in his career before becoming a full-time receiver in 2012. Led NCSU with 49 catches for 530 yards and three scores last year. Also returned three punts for touch - downs in his career. Signed a undrafted free agent contract with the Chicago Bears in 2014. Anthony Talbert TE 0 Career reserve did not catch a pass in three years in Raleigh, but he was expected to play a bigger role last season. Instead elected to transfer after 2013 spring practices to Ohio, where he started three games and caught six passes for 94 yards. Chris Ward P 0 Was signed as NCSU's punter of the future, but was dismissed from the team after redshirt- ing in 2009. James Washington RB 17 Led NC State in rushing with 227 carries for 897 yards and seven touchdowns in 2011, but injuries, including a devastating knee injury suffered at UNC, derailed his senior season. Finished career with 346 rushes for 1,265 yards and 11 touchdowns, and 82 receptions for 602 yards and two scores. Asa Watson TE 10 Athletic tight end appeared to break out as a redshirt junior in 2012, when he caught 24 passes for 282 yards and a score while starting five games. Numbers dipped though as a senior to just three receptions for 41 yards. He signed an undrafted free agent contract with the New England Patriots in May. Camden Wentz C 39 After playing as a reserve center his true freshman year, Wentz became a stalwart in the middle of the Pack's line, starting 39 straight games over the next three years. Earned a training camp invite with the Minnesota Vikings in 2013. Players In Class — 23 Class of 2009 Summary 114-116,118,120.Class of 2009.indd 115 6/27/14 1:35 PM