The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/337646
92 ■ THE WOLFPACKER FOOTBALL 2014 Cornerback Roster STARTERS No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 11 Juston Burris R-Jr. 6-1 207 Raleigh Started every game last year, led the team with 11 passes broken up and ranked sixth with 54 tackles. New cornerbacks mentor George Barlow said he is very fortunate to have starters like Burris and Tocho; he noted both possess the tools to be some of the best corners in the ACC. 29 Jack Tocho So. 6-1 196 Charlotte Started the last seven games of 2013 after Dontae Johnson moved to safety, and was a co-recipient of the team's Philip Rivers Award, which is given to the Most Valuable Freshman. RESERVES No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 21 Niles Clark R-So. 5-11 188 Marietta, Ga. Coaches routinely praised Clark for an excellent spring. Barlow noted he might have made just as many plays as Burris and Tocho. WAITING IN THE WINGS No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 41 Cole Borroughs R-So. 6-0 194 Asheboro, N.C. Borroughs is a walk-on from Asheboro High. 21 Elliott Davis Fr. 6-1 175 Gaithersburg, Md. Rated two stars by Rivals.com and spurned offers from Maryland, Rutgers and Wake Forest to sign with the Wolfpack. An explosive athlete. 12 Nicholas Lacy R-Fr. 5-9 176 Pinehurst, N.C. Lacy is a walk-on from Pinecrest High. 16 Malcolm Means R-Fr. 6-2 187 Great Falls, S.C. The former safety moved to cornerback after redshirting last year, and is similar to Burris and Tocho physically and athletically. 7 Sean Paul So. 5-10 191 Vero Beach, Fla. Played on special teams in every game last season. 30 Mike Stevens Fr. 6-0 185 Davidson, N.C. The 1,000-yard prep receiver originally committed to Kansas State, but the Rivals.com two-star recruit flipped immediately after being offered by NCSU. 33 Charlie Twitty R-So. 5-9 187 Raleigh Twitty is a walk-on from Enloe High who switched from wide receiver in the spring and impressed Barlow. 22 Troy Vincent Jr. Fr. 5-10 185 Baltimore The three-star recruit — whose father is a former NFL star cornerback by the same name — was ranked as the No. 11 prospect in Maryland and the No. 31 cornerback in the country by Rivals.com. If he learns the defense, he could play right away. Safety Roster STARTERS No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 6 Tim Buckley R-Jr. 6-0 195 Raleigh The former Penn State walk-on should take the reins at nickel back after a great spring. He is one of the secondary's strongest and most athletic players. 20 Hakim Jones R-Jr. 6-2 198 Henderson, N.C. Started every contest in 2013 and finished with 61 stops, eight passes broken up and two intercep- tions. He was good on the field last fall and must emerge as a vocal leader this season. 2 Josh Jones R-Fr. 6-2 210 Walled Lake, Mich. Is ready to step into the starting lineup after redshirting, but must focus on the small things. Safeties coach Clayton White said: "He has a chance to really make a name for himself if he does it right." RESERVES No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 14 Jarvis Byrd 6th-Sr. 5-10 190 Pahokee, Fla. The grizzled veteran has had nearly as many major knee surgeries (three) as stars (four) coming out of Florida — but he could be just as important off the field as he is on the gridiron. If he's healthy, he will start, but it's not fair to expect that. 31 Germaine Pratt Fr. 6-3 195 High Point, N.C. The four-star recruit enrolled early and impressed this spring. He hauled in an interception for the spring game's lone turnover and also notched eight tackles, which ranked second among all players. 8 Dravious Wright So. 5-10 206 Vero Beach, Fla. Played in every game with most of his action coming on special teams. "When he decides to make a play, he's like a rocket," White said. WAITING IN THE WINGS No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 24 Shawn Boone Fr. 5-10 185 Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. White calls him one of the smartest prep players he has ever encountered. The well-regarded three-star prospect had 28 Football Bowl Subdivision offers at one point. 27 Kalen McCain Fr. 6-2 186 Durham, N.C. The ball-hawking three-star recruit originally committed to Virginia Tech, but flipped and enrolled early this spring, where he impressed with his intelligence. 28 Josh Sessoms R-So. 6-2 197 Kinston, N.C. Did not see action last year, but falls in line physically with NC State's jumbo safeties and is versatile enough to play both safety positions, plus nickel while helping on special teams. 34 Dexter Wright Fr. 6-3 205 Wilson, N.C. The two-way standout on the prep level was ranked by Rivals.com as a three-star prospect and the No. 27 recruit in North Carolina. Getting To Know: Josh Jones Redshirt freshman Josh Jones has enough size, speed and strength to be either an outside linebacker or a safety. Jones played mostly outside linebacker during his redshirt season, but has moved back to safety — which he played at Walled Lake (Mich.) Western High. Rivals.com ranked the 6-2, 210-pounder as the No. 8 player in Michigan and the No. 29 safety in the country in the class of 2013. He also played running back and returned punts in high school, and even played some cornerback in his younger days. "I'm a vocal and physical player, and can run to the ball, plus be a big player back there [in the secondary]," Jones said. "I feel I can stand out as far as being a physical player." NC State's switch to a 4-2-5 defensive alignment gives Jones a chance to get on the field early in his career and make an impact. "The opportunity is big and it is up to me to win a starting job or lose it," Jones said. "I have to go out every day and work hard and execute the assignments I am given." Jones played strongside linebacker on the scout team last fall, which was fun for him. The coaches then gave him some time at safety toward the end of the season. "I liked being in the box and being aggressive and in the action," Jones said. "This spring I'm back at my natural position of strong safety, and that is also pretty good. "The difference in the two positions is being patient. You can't just think run first, but read the keys, trust your eyes and trust my feet. You really have to have good eyes." Jones said going to back to safety is like riding a bicycle. "The transition has been pretty easy," Jones said. Jones originally picked Illinois, before switching to NC State about a week before National Signing Day. Pittsburgh and Colorado were also in the mix. "I had always planned on going out of state for college," Jones said. "When coach Dave Doeren and his staff offered me, I just jumped on it. I came on my official visit and loved the coaches and the energy around here." The Michigan product knows he has come a long ways, and doesn't want to blow his opportunity to get extensive playing time. He hopes he starts against Georgia Southern Aug. 30. "That would mean a lot to me because I have come a far ways to be a starter," Jones said. "I'm just hungry for it. I know I have to go out every day and compete because nothing will be given to me on this defense or from these coaches." — Jacey Zembal Jones played strongside linebacker on the scout team last fall, but he has made the move back to his high school position of safety. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN 90-92.DBs.indd 92 6/27/14 12:22 PM