The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/337646
78 ■ THE WOLFPACKER FOOTBALL 2014 BY JACEY ZEMBAL A revised defensive scheme and a core of experienced players are the themes for the NC State de- fense this fall. The Wolfpack has switched from a 4-3-4 (four linemen, three linebackers, three defensive backs) alignment to a 4-2-5 look under defensive coordinator Dave Huxtable. The goal is to put more speed on the field to combat the spread offenses that are so prevalent in college football. NC State returns three starters across the defensive line, one starting linebacker and three starters in the secondary. An experienced defensive line returns five players who combined for 34 starts last year. The inside trio of senior defen- sive tackles Thomas Teal and T.Y. McGill and freshman Monty Nelson could be the strength of the defense. Teal started 11 out of 12 games last year, while Nelson started five and McGill two. The defensive tackles are joined by fifth-year senior defensive end Art Nor- man and redshirt junior defensive end Mike Rose, who started 12 and four games, respectively. Seniors Brandon Pittman and Rodman Noel will handle the outside linebacker role, with junior M.J. Salahuddin and red- shirt freshman linebacker Jerod Fernandez battling for the middle linebacker spot in the new alignment. Redshirt junior cornerback Juston Burris and redshirt junior safety Hakim Jones an- chor the secondary. Sophomore cornerback Jack Tocho ended the season as the starter, recording seven starts, and sixth-year se- nior free safety and former starter Jarvis Byrd is back after accumulating three knee surgeries in his Wolfpack career. Either redshirt junior Tim Buckley or sophomore Dravious Wright is expected to fill the versatile nickel back role. Here are highlights from an interview with Huxtable about the NC State defense. How did spring football practice go for the defense? "We had to get better at understanding the defensive system overall. I was really happy with the way guys picked up some of the changes that we made, going from a 4-3 to a 4-2-5. I was really pleased with the work ethic and increase of football knowl- edge throughout the spring. "Position by position, we got tougher, smarter and more dependable. We know where we are supposed to be to do our job." What are the responsibilities for nickel back position? "It's more of a down low safety position, who can also play the outside linebacker position. We'll try and keep them out of the box, so they don't have to play in it and have an interior gap responsibility. They will be more of an edge player to a tight end and be placed on a wide receiver. "They will have some high safety re- sponsibilities, but will mostly have under- neath coverage and edge support duties. When it comes to pressuring quarterbacks, they have great quickness and suddenness." How is the speed of your linebackers? "I really like the speed we have on our defense with guys like Rodman Noel, Brandon Pittman and M.J. Salahuddin. Last year, all my linebackers were safe- ties in high school that got converted into linebackers. "We are getting faster. With all the one- back and spread offenses that we are play- ■ Defense Q&A SPEED KILLS Coordinator Dave Huxtable Is Confident The Defense Will Be Faster In Its New Alignment After surrendering 30.2 points and 399.4 yards per game last year, Huxtable and the Wolfpack have made the switch from a 4-3 alignment to a 4-2-5 scheme. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN 78,80.Defense Q&A.indd 78 6/27/14 11:50 AM