The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/470359
48 ■ THE WOLFPACKER ■ 2015 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE BY RYAN TICE N C State made a huge jump from Dave Doeren's debut campaign in 2013 to this past fall — the five-win improvement was the second biggest among Power Five confer- ence teams. The Wolfpack could take another step forward next fall if players step up at a few position groups that lost key players this offseason. The biggest — literally and figuratively — holes are at offensive tackle, but there are a few other spots to watch this spring. ■ Offensive Tackle NC State should be pretty stable along the interior with starters Joe Thuney, Quin- ton Schooley and Tony Adams returning at left guard, center and right guard, re- spectively. Thuney has game experience at tackle, but the coaches have talked about how important it is to have the 6-5, 293-pounder at his natural position on the inside — where they can take advantage of his mobility — and it's a good bet that is where he stays, if it is at all possible. Fifth-year senior Alex Barr is likely to factor into the equation of replacing the graduated Rob Crisp and Tyson Chandler at one of the two tackle positions. He has played on the edge before, although most of his previous game time comes at guard, and has the size necessary at 6-7 and 316 pounds. He is the only tackle who appeared on the 2014 two-deep and is still on the roster. It remains to be seen on which side Barr lines up and who the other contenders could be. The only other scholarship players listed on the current roster as tackles are red- shirt sophomore Tylar Reagan and red- shirt freshman Will Richardson. Redshirt freshmen Terronne Prescod, Tyler Jones and Eric Shute are all listed as offensive linemen on the roster and should get looks on the edge. A few new options will also arrive in the summer, including four-star freshman Emanuel McGirt and junior college trans- fer Daris Workman. ■ Wide Receiver The transfers of leading receiver Bo Hines (45 receptions for 616 yards and one score) and Marquez Valdes-Scantling — who started six times, ranked fifth on the team with 22 catches and played more snaps than any other receiver last fall — has left the door wide open at the position. It is the fifth straight season that NCSU must replace its top receiver. Junior Bra'Lon Cherry leads all return- ing receivers in catches — he and tight end David J. Grinnage tied for third on the team with 27 last year. He should be the No. 1 option in the slot while receiving some help from running back Matt Dayes, who leads all returners with 32 receptions. On the outside, junior Johnathan Alston is the top returner after he hauled in 21 passes for 224 yards and two scores, while 6-2, 210-pounder Stephen Louis has all of the physical tools and made seven catches as a raw true freshman. Fifth-year senior Maurice Morgan is another impressive specimen at 6-2 and 246 pounds, but has never made an official catch. Junior Jumichael Ramos tallied just one reception last year after he showed promise as a rookie, and redshirt freshman Maurice Trowell drew rave reviews from sources when healthy enough to play on the scout team. Redshirt freshman Elliott Davis moves SPRING FOCUS The Five Position Groups To Watch Before The 2015 Campaign Junior Bra'Lon Cherry, who caught 27 passes for 354 yards and three touchdowns in 2014, is among a host of players who will be part of a wide-open competition for playing time at wide receiver. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN