The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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96 ■ THE WOLFPACKER FOOTBALL 2014 much because it was like he was playing at a different speed," he said. "Coming through the spring, we had more depth and a lot of guys who redshirted last year are getting out there. It was like there were more guys covering, more speed. "I'm really excited about special teams. I really feel like we have done some things to make it simpler, so they can just go play fast. We'll see how it shakes out." ■ Getting To Know: Scott Thompson NC State long snapper Scott Thompson is probably the only All-American in the country that is genuinely surprised when asked to do a media interview. The first-team pick by Phil Steele's last year responded only with a questioning, "Seriously?" after he was told the media requested to talk to him following a spring practice. Thompson joked that as a long snapper, it's best to live in obscurity and keep as low of a profile as possible. "If someone knows your name, it's a bad thing," he said. However, Pack fans should be very familiar with the 5-11, 246-pound Thomp - son, who is preparing for his fourth season as the team's starter. Thompson, kicker Niklas Sade and punt Wil Baumann have each started at their respective positions for the last three campaigns. "It doesn't feel like [four years] at all," Thompson noted. "But it has been amazing. We're trying to start going to weekly dinners with all of us, plus Scooby [backup punter Will Stephenson]. I love all of those guys. Those guys are the best kickers in the country in my opinion." Thompson explained that the three, who spend much of practice refining their crafts on a field separate from the rest of the team, have grown so close that they share in each others' successes. "When Nik got MVP of the team this past season, we all went out and had a good time at dinner with our families," he noted. "We're proud of him for having such a great season. I know he really wanted to do that after his sophomore season, and he just came back, did his best and proved to everybody what he can do. It was the same with Wil." When Thompson was named a first-team All-American after the season by Steele, he felt a strong sense of pride that he hoped his comrades shared in, but he was also far from satisfied. "I was incredibly honored, and I was so happy to be able to represent NC State," he said. "I just try to play my best for these guys and give the best snaps I can to Wil and Nik. "I definitely could've done better [last year], and I'm working on that. I want to be as perfect as I can — there's definitely a few snaps where I could have put it in another spot. I'm never happy, I always want to work to get better." If everything goes to plan, another All-America honor will be the only thing that prevents Thompson from living out his final college campaign in relative anonymity, but he noted his focus is on the team before any individual laurels. "My goals are perfect snaps and to hopefully get to a bowl game," he said. "I want to not hear my name called, and give Nik and Wil the best opportunity they can to get the ball inside the field goal posts or as far down the field as they can. Then, we'll hopefully go out with a bowl win for my senior season." — Ryan Tice Quick Facts Co-Position Coaches: Eddie Faulkner (2nd season) and Clayton White (2nd season) Returning Starters: K Nik Sade, P Wil Baumann and LS Scott Thompson Starter Lost: KR/PR Rashard Smith FYI: Last year's field goal success rate of 82.6 percent was NC State's best mark since 2009, when Josh Czajkowski went 10 of 12 (.833) … Sade was named preseason second-team All-ACC by Athlon and Phil Steele's, while Lindy's listed him as a third-team performer … Phil Steele's listed Thompson on its preseason All-America first team and Baumann as a preseason All-ACC fourth-teamer … Sade already holds the NCSU career record with 121 point-after tries, and he ranks fourth with 43 field goals … Sade is 43 of 62 (.694) in his career with a long of 50 yards … NC State also had a pair of specialist commits in the 2014 class, but kicker Kyle Bambard and punter A.J. Cole — who was ranked as Rivals. com's fifth-best kicker in the land — will both greyshirt before arriving in Raleigh for the 2015 spring semester. ■ By The Numbers 0 NC State kicks were blocked by opponents last year. 16.9 Yards per kick return was the average recorded by all Pack players not named Rashard Smith, the graduated senior who logged a 23.8-yard aver- age and was also a dangerous punt returner. 88 Points scored last year by Niklas Sade, which was the most for an NCSU player since kicker Josh Czajkowski tallied 102 points in 2010. "I would say we're very fortunate to have those guys. They've done a great job not only in the past, but they're good leaders, they know what we want and it makes you feel very confident about the little things in a game." ■ Co-special teams coordinator Eddie Faulkner Thompson was tabbed a first-team All-American by Phil Steele's following the 2013 campaign. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN 94-96.STs.indd 96 6/27/14 12:18 PM