The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/337646
118 ■ THE WOLFPACKER 1. Camden Wentz vs. Wake Forest, 2012 Wentz was dominant during a 37-6 win over the Demon Deacons in Raleigh. He piled up 13 knockdown blocks and graded out at 88 percent on his blocking assignments. Wentz was honored by the ACC as its Offensive Lineman of the Week for his performance. 2. Brian Slay vs. Liberty, 2011 Making just his second career start, Slay manhandled the Flames in the 2011 season opener, a 43-21 NCSU victory. He had six tackles (four solo), including a pair of sacks. He also hurried the quarterback two more times, forced a fumble and recovered two. He returned one of them for a 52-yard touchdown, the fourth-longest fumble return in NC State history. The ACC named Slay its Defensive Lineman of the Week. 3. Brandan Bishop vs. Clemson, 2011 The Wolfpack stunned No. 7 Clemson in crushing fashion during a 37-13 home win, and Bishop's play was a big reason why the Pack was able to stuff the Tigers' high-powered offensive attack. Bishop had 11 tackles, which represented a career high at that point, and picked off a pass in the end zone. One of Bishop's tackles was for a loss. 4. Quintin Payton vs. Tennessee, 2012 Call it Payton's breakout game. Prior to his redshirt junior season, Payton had caught 11 career passes for 145 yards. In the season opener against the Vols, Payton nearly matched his yardage output with four receptions for 129 yards in the 35-21 loss in Atlanta. 5. James Washington vs. Georgia Tech, 2011 The best game of Washington's career came when he rushed 20 times for a career- high 131 yards, including a 46-yard touchdown that was the longest run during his time in Raleigh. Washington also caught five passes for 35 yards in a 45-35 home loss to the 21st-ranked Yellow Jackets. 6. Rashard Smith vs. East Carolina, 2013 Smith had his best game as a receiver in the 42-28 loss at home. He caught seven passes for 104 yards, both representing career highs, and a score. 7. Brandan Bishop vs. UNC, 2012 Bishop had a valiant effort on defense in a 43-35 loss at Chapel Hill. He piled up a career-high 14 tackles and, impressively, 13 of them were solo hits. 8. Darryl Cato-Bishop vs. Clemson, 2011 While Bishop was helping to shut down Clemson's receivers, Cato-Bishop was helping a front four that made life miserable for Tigers quarterback Tajh Boyd. Cato-Bishop had two tackles in the game, both of which were sacks, and he added three more quarterback hurries. 9. James Washington vs. Central Michigan, 2011 Washington had three 100-yard rushing games in 2011. That included his strong perfor - mance against CMU in a 38-24 home win. Washington rushed 25 times for 109 yards and a touchdown and showcased his all-around abilities by adding five receptions for 55 yards. 10. Rashard Smith vs. Central Michigan, 2013 Smith had a well-rounded effort during a 48-14 win over CMU in what proved to be the final win of last season. He caught three passes for 39 yards, rushed five times for 41 yards and had two punt returns for 87 yards, including a 67-yarder for a touchdown. Smith finished the game with 167 all-purpose yards. Top 10 Individual Performances Of The Class Of 2009 Wide receiver Rashard Smith did it all during a 48-14 victory over Central Michigan in 2013, rushing five times for 41 yards, catching three passes for 39 yards and returning two punts for 87 yards, including a 67-yarder for a touchdown. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN Top Recruiter Of the five best players in the class, three of the first four were brought to NC State by former linebackers coach Andy McCollum: center Camden Wentz, corner/receiver Rashard Smith and offensive guard Duran Christophe. All were Georgia natives. McCollum was hired by former head coach Tom O'Brien partly because of his connections on the recruiting trail in Georgia. In the final five classes prior to O'Brien's arrival, NCSU had signed just three Georgians. McCollum brought in five in 2009, including Dean Haynes who had 438 total yards and four touchdowns as a redshirt freshman in 2010 before eventually transferring to UT Chattanooga. McCollum started a trend of NCSU recruiting Georgia that has only grown stronger since. The Pack signed five players in Georgia's top 75 in the 2014 class according to Rivals.com. Center Camden Wentz (right), a stalwart on the offensive line with 39 starts over his final three years, was among three players in the class signed out of the state of Georgia by former lineback- ers coach Andy McCollum. FILE PHOTO 114-116,118,120.Class of 2009.indd 118 6/27/14 1:35 PM