The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/430118
34 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BY MATT CARTER N C State's lack of upperclassmen on the roster — just 27 healthy recruited scholarship juniors and seniors — left little choice but to play freshmen this fall. Thus it is no surprise that 14 true freshmen were on the field rather than redshirting. Head coach Dave Doeren has no regrets about playing that many rookies, noting that there was not a case where in hindsight they believed they were playing someone who was not ready. "We've had a lot of production in that class," Doeren said. "At the end of the year, I guess the biggest thing I am pleased with is the steady improvement we've gotten from those guys and how they've handled it, because it's a lot for an 18-year-old play- ing that many games, and to have the role that some of these guys have is pretty im- pressive." On the offensive side of the ball, there were four true freshmen in particular that established themselves as future impact players for NCSU. G/C Tony Adams NC State signed five offensive linemen in the 2014 recruiting class. The one pros- pect that did not have any new offers and was the least touted in terms of rankings ended up making, by far, the biggest splash. Tony Adams started eight games at right guard this fall, and filled in at center when junior Quinton Schooley injured his ankle during the regular-season finale at UNC Nov. 29. One of the big reasons why Ad- ams succeeded so quickly: enrolling early. "It was probably one of the best deci- sions I've made in my life," he explained. "It made me so far ahead of other guys that came in, and just allowed me to get a good understanding of how the offense works. Now I know all of the calls and plays, which is really good. "If I didn't come early, it would have been a lot different. It feels great because I worked for it during the spring and sum- mer, and it's really good when you work for something and see the results. I know that I'm just going to get better and better every year. I just need to keep working and getting better at each and every practice. Eventually, who knows where I can end up?" NC State tight ends/fullbacks coach and special teams coordinator Eddie Faulkner recruits the Charlotte region for the Pack and was responsible for bringing Adams to NCSU out of Independence High in Char- lotte. Faulkner was drawn to Adams partly because of his footwork, which was good enough to make the 6-2, 301-pounder the INSTANT IMPACT Freshman Newcomers Made Quick Contributions On Offense While not the team's most-heralded offensive line recruit, Tony Adams started eight games at right guard during his true freshman season. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN