The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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86 ■ THE WOLFPACKER FOOTBALL 2014 BY JACEY ZEMBAL N C State's linebackers will have a different look this sea- son, and it isn't just because they'll be breaking in some new players. NC State head coach Dave Doeren and defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Dave Huxtable have switched the Wolfpack to a 4-2-5 alignment — four defensive linemen, two linebackers and five defensive backs — as its base defense. That doesn't mean a dose of playing a 4-3 won't happen at times, but it depends on the personnel of the opponent. A core of four linebackers seem to be in position for key roles this season. Seniors Brandon Pittman and Rodman Noel will battle for the Will position, which is the weakside linebacker spot in the defense, and junior M.J. Salahuddin and redshirt freshman Jerod Fernandez will compete for the Mike spot, which is the name for the middle linebacker position. The 6-2, 218-pound Pittman has the potential to emerge into an All-ACC candidate if he builds off his strong finish from last year. He had 14 stops, three tackles for loss and one sack during the 38-20 loss at Duke Nov. 9, and followed the next week with 10 tackles and a sack in the 38-21 loss at Boston College. He finished his junior year with 62 stops, seven tackles for loss and three sacks, while starting seven of the 12 games he played in. "Brandon has unbelievable ability," Huxtable said. "He has a good structure to his body and has gotten even bigger this sum- mer. He can run and is as quick as a cat. He has unbelievable feet. "Brandon has the ability to be disruptive and be a big-play guy for us. He is a physical guy and will stick his face in and whack you." The 6-4, 220-pound Noel has proven he can hold his own if called upon. He started five games and notched 38 stops and seven tackles for loss in 2012, but was a reserve behind starter D.J. Green last year. He recorded 10 of his 24 tackles after com- ing off the bench to play 57 snaps in the 27-19 loss against North Carolina Nov. 2. "I thought Rodman Noel made great strides this spring," Huxtable said. "Rodman is a very smart and vocal kid. I want to see him play with a meaner streak and play tougher. He stepped up and did that this past spring." Salahuddin was the preseason favorite to win the starting job at the Mike spot last year, but ended up moving to outside linebacker to compete with Pittman. The 6-2, 223-pounder started five games and made 25 tackles with two for loss. "I think we have really good competition," Huxtable said. "M.J. had a good spring … but I told all our linebackers there is no depth chart yet. They are all competing. I want them to all work as hard as they can this summer and be competing for a job." Fernandez redshirted a year ago, but was one of the standouts in the Kay Yow Spring Game with 11 tackles. The 6-1, 231-pounder has all the tools to be a future standout for the Wolfpack, and perhaps as soon as this fall. Huxtable is impressed with Fernandez's passion and work ethic for the game. "I thought Jerod had a really good spring," Huxtable said. "He was on the scout field and playing defense off a card held up by a graduate student assistant. This spring, he all of a sudden had to learn to play within the structure of the defense. He had to learn assignments, responsibility and adjustments — he had to learn to read a key on a run or in pass coverage. I thought Jerod did a really good job of that, and he is a bright kid." A host of newcomers will fill out the depth chart. Redshirt freshman Artemis Robinson, who missed the spring with a hip injury, is expected to provide depth at middle linebacker this year. Freshman Coult Culler of Wilmington (N.C.) Laney will provide great size (6-5 and 230 pounds) at middle linebacker when his time comes. Freshman weakside outside linebacker Airius Moore is ex- pected to sign Aug. 1 as a "blueshirt" and enroll at NC State. The 6-0, 220-pound Moore, who was committed to Indiana before switching to NC State, was a tackling machine at Beavercreek (Ohio) High. Redshirt freshman Quinton Patterson, a linebacker and fullback standout at Shelby (N.C.) Crest, played the latter position for the Pack last year. However, the 6-0, 229-pound Patterson looks like he will wind up at linebacker this year. ■ LINEBACKERS THE COMPETITION IS ON The Linebackers Are Fighting For Playing Time In The Wolfpack's New 4-2-5 Alignment ■ Preseason Analysis **** Among country's best; *** Among ACC's best; ** Solid or has potential; * Too unproven Starters ** NC State has four players more than capable of starting at the two linebacker positions — middle linebacker (Mike) and weakside outside linebacker (Will). Senior Brandon Pittman and junior M.J. Salahuddin could be the projected starters at outside linebacker and middle linebacker, respectively. The two split time last year at Will. Senior Rodman Noel will push Pittman, and redshirt freshman Jerod Fernandez will do the same with Salahuddin. Experience ** NC State has two experienced seniors in Pittman and Noel, who both avoided hav - ing redshirt years when they were younger. The duo has combined to play in 68 games with 14 starts while compiling 174 tackles. Salahuddin appeared in 12 games last year during his sophomore season, but the rest of the linebackers will be playing for the first time this fall. Depth ** NC State has solid depth with the group of four linebackers, and more help on the way. The speed has also been upgraded in the unit over the last few years. Redshirt freshman Artemis Robinson will be joined by freshmen Coult Culler and Airius Moore, with the latter enrolling in August. Robinson and Culler are expected to settle in at middle linebacker, while Moore will slide outside behind Pittman and Noel and learn from the two veterans. Overall Grade ** NC State has a solid group of linebackers. The key will be how many big plays they create, whether it's rushing the passer on a blitz, causing a fumble or snagging an inter - ception. Pittman and Noel played their best ball over the last five games of 2013, and Fernandez played outstanding ball in the Kay Yow Spring Game. Senior Brandon Pittman played in all 12 games with seven starts last year, and he produced 62 tackles, seven stops behind the line of scrim- mage and three sacks. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN 86-88.LBs.indd 86 6/27/14 11:47 AM