The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/337646
138 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BY MATT CARTER T he 2014 class in North Carolina fea- tured a strong group of running backs, and that continues with the new group of seniors. Four tailbacks rank in the top 15, includ- ing three in the top 10. A fourth checks in the top 30, and several more — most nota- bly Raleigh Millbrook's Marcus Marshall — just missed the cut in The Wolfpacker's preseason top 30 players in the state. The Wolfpack has three verbal commit- ments already in the top 30, highlighted by defensive end Malik Douglas from South- port's South Brunswick High. NC State is also in the lead group for at least six more recruits in the rankings, including the best player in the state: defensive tackle Shy Tuttle from North Davidson High in Lex- ington, N.C. 1. DEFENSIVE TACKLE SHY TUTTLE Lexington North Davidson High Measurables: Listed at 6-2, 308 pounds. Stats: Compiled 73 tackles, including four for loss, and returned an interception for a touch- down as a junior despite playing with a shoulder in- jury that required surgery after the season. Rivals.com rankings: Four-star prospect, No. 60 recruit in the 2014 class, No. 8 defensive tackle nation- ally and No. 2 player in the state. Colleges: Unveiled a top five of Clem- son, Miami, NC State, North Carolina and Tennessee in June. Scouting report: Tuttle is a true gap-fill- ing defensive tackle that requires constant double teams from an opponent's interior offensive line. Tuttle, when healthy, has a combination of strength and athleticism to be a disruptive force, but he also plays with an understanding of his role. He is a linebacker's dream to play behind. 2. RUNNING BACK JOHNNY FRASIER Princeton High Measurables: Was 5-10, 206 pounds at the Shrine Bowl Combine held at South Johnston High in May at Four Oaks, N.C. Ran the 40-yard dash in 4.45 seconds and the shuttle in 4.29 seconds. Registered a 9-6 standing broad jump and did 14 reps at 185 pounds on the bench press. Stats: Rushed 248 times for 3,042 yards and 45 touchdowns, and caught 25 passes for 555 yards and five scores in 13 games as a junior. Rivals.com rankings: Four-star prospect, No. 24 running back nationally and No. 9 player in the state. Colleges: Believed to be favoring offers from Georgia and Florida State. Scouting report: Frasier has only been playing football since his freshman season in high school, but he quickly blossomed into a premier prospect thanks to his blend of size and speed. He relies more on his athleticism than strength to dominate the 1-A level in North Carolina, but he has the potential to be an every-down feature back in college. 3. DEFENSIVE LINEMAN DARIAN ROSEBORO Lincolnton High Measurables: At the Shrine Bowl Com- bine held at A.C. Reynolds High in Ashe- ville, N.C., he was 6-3, 293 pounds and did an eye-pop- ping 40 reps at 185 pounds on the bench press. He also ran the shuttle in 4.9 sec- onds and had an 8-6 stand- ing broad jump. Defensive lineman ran 20-yard dashes instead of 40, and Roseboro was timed at 2.77 seconds. Stats: Made 125 tackles, including 21 for loss and 10 sacks, and broke up seven passes as a junior. Rivals.com rankings: Four-star prospect, No. 79 recruit in the class, No. 7 strongside defensive end nationally and No. 3 player in the state. Colleges: Released a top 10 of Alabama, Clemson, Duke, Florida, LSU, Michigan, NC State, North Carolina, Ohio State and Tennessee in May. Scouting report: Roseboro is a power- fully built, athletic defensive end that prefers to play off the edge in college. However, he has the versatility to plug in almost any- where on the defensive line. 4. DEFENSIVE BACK MARK FIELDS Cornelius Hough High Measurables: Listed at 5-10, 185 pounds. Stats: Recorded 45 tackles and three in- terceptions as a junior. Rivals.com rankings: Four-star prospect, No. 108 recruit in the class, No. 11 cornerback nationally and No. 5 player in the state. Colleges: Verbally com- mitted to South Carolina March 22. Scouting report: Fields is an athletic de- fensive back with impressive range on the field. The son of former NFL linebacker Mark Fields, the younger Fields shows good instincts and is a sound tackler at the high school level. He played mainly safety as a junior, but he is more suited to play corner in college. 5. DEFENSIVE END JALEN DALTON Clemmons West Forsyth High Measurables: At the Shrine Bowl Combine in Asheville in May, measured 6-6, 233 pounds. Ran the 20-yard dash in 2.87 sec- onds and the shuttle in 4.64 seconds. Did a 9-0 standing ■ FOOTBALL RECRUITING Cream Of The Crop: Ranking The Top 30 In-State Recruits Lexington (N.C.) North Davidson High standout Shy Tuttle, the No. 8 defensive tackle and No. 60 overall player nationally according to Rivals.com, listed NC State among his top five schools. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM 138-143.FB Recruiting.indd 138 6/26/14 4:24 PM