The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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38 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BY JACEY ZEMBAL N C State rising redshirt sophomore strong safety Josh Jones hopes to one day talk to recently retired NFL star safety Adrian Wilson about what it takes to play at that level. In his first year playing for the Wolfpack, Jones finished fifth on the team with 56 tackles and added a team-high four inter- ceptions, along with seven passes broken up and one sack. He hopes to evoke com- parisons to some former Wolfpack greats in the coming years. Wilson was selected to five Pro Bowls and was named first-team All-NFL four times by various media entities while amassing 721 career tackles, 25.5 sacks and 27 interceptions from 2001-13. The 6-3, 222-pound Wilson's path began at High Point (N.C.) Andrews High and NC State, before he became a third-round pick in the NFL Draft. "I'd like to talk to Adrian Wilson because he is a big, physical safety," said Jones, who also is fan of New Orleans Saints safety Kenny Vaccaro. "I would enjoy get- ting to talk to him and that would be fun." NCSU safeties coach and co-special teams coordinator Clayton White played linebacker for the Wolfpack from 1998- 2000 with Wilson. He sees some similari- ties between Jones and other past great NC State safeties. "He is kind of a mix of a couple of guys that I played with," White said. "I don't want to put that name out there, but he is a mix of Adrian Wilson and Terrence Holt. I know Adrian is tough to get a hold of, but one day I can get that set up." White said when individuals start doubt- ing Jones, he always turns it up a notch. The more success he gains, the more he wants. "His progress is really something we are all happy about right now," White said. "He is definitely ready. He has come a long way and everything has changed, whether in the meeting room, pre-practice or post-practice and at home. Josh is a football junkie. His drive is there." Jones is a goal-oriented person and knows exactly what he wants to get ac- complished this fall. "I always have goals and I look at those goals every day," Jones said. "I have those goals written down on a mirror in the bathroom — like being All-ACC, lead the country and ACC in interceptions. I hope to be All-American." Jones hopes to have the chance to RARE Combination Safety Josh Jones Is Harnessing His Impressive Size And Speed Last year as a redshirt freshman, Jones led the Wolfpack with four interceptions and fin- ished fifth on the team with 56 tackles. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN