The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/535299
66 ■ THE WOLFPACKER FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2015 BY RYAN TICE N ew wide receivers coach George McDonald started coaching "to help develop kids." He'll have plenty of opportunities to do just that in his debut campaign at NC State. The arrival of the former Illinois wideout pro- vided a clean slate for several Wolfpack receivers, which is exactly what they needed after graduations and transfers depleted the group following the 2014 season. Three players (two with eligibility remaining) — who combined for 186 career catches, 2,480 receiving yards and 16 touchdown grabs — left after last year. The remaining receivers on the roster boast 89 career catches, for 1,082 yards and nine touchdowns. The three departures nearly equaled those numbers last year alone, with 73 receptions, 971 receiving yards and three touchdowns. However, the challenge is one that McDonald looks forward to after laying the foundation this spring. Players like junior Jumichael Ramos, who posted 25 catches as a freshman but just one last year, and fifth-year senior Maurice Morgan, who is still looking for his first career reception, get to try changing previous results under a new mentor, while others such as juniors Bra'Lon Cherry and Johnathan Alston will look to continue building off of last season. Cherry started seven times in 2014, which tied for second among the position group, and emerged as a threat through the air, as well as on the ground. He finished with 27 catches, which leads all returning wideouts, and 354 receiving yards, which is just four behind tight end David J. Grinnage, who leads all returners. He scored three touch- downs via receptions, added a pair of scores on the ground and was the fastest pass catcher on the roster this spring, according to McDonald. Meanwhile, Alston went from having played spar- ingly as a freshman, to doing more than just re- cording his first catch last year. He finished with 21 receptions for 224 yards and two scores, while he was in the starting lineup for six contests. The coach notes the junior year is when most players make a noticeable jump, and he's hoping that is the case for both, as well as Ramos. "When guys come in, it's always a progression," he explained. "The freshman year is the baseline. Every year [they should be] getting a little bit better. "Your junior year is the year where you are either going to take the next step or you're going to peter out. I think all of those guys under- stand that. They understand, on paper, they have 24 games guaranteed and then they are done." McDonald said the returning veterans got off to a good start this summer, but still have a ways to go. The message was sent this spring that playing time would go to whoever deserves it, regardless of past success or age — or even offensive experience. Two former defensive backs, redshirt junior Josh Sessoms and redshirt freshman Elliott Davis, made the change this spring, while Maurice Trowell was also factored into the equation after redshirting last fall. Stephen Louis is also back after starting twice as a rookie. WIDE RECEIVERS CLEAN SLATE A New-Look Group Starts From Square One Under First-Year Assistant George McDonald Quick Facts Position Coach: George McDonald (1st year) Returning Starters: Bra'Lon Cherry (8 career starts) Starters Lost: Bo Hines (7) and Marquez Valdes-Scantling (11) FYI: Six wide receivers started at least twice last year, but only half return in juniors Bra'Lon Cherry (seven) and Johnathan Alston (six), and sophomore Stephen Louis (two) … The program has not had the same leading receiver in back-to-back seasons since tight end T.J. Williams led the way through the air in 2004 and 2005; the last wide receiver to do so was Jerricho Cotchery in 2002-03 … Five wideouts combined for 21 rushes, which gained 149 yards (7.1-yard average) and three touchdowns, last year … NCSU completed 31 passes in the spring game for 312 yards and one score — the wide receivers accounted for 17 catches and 131 yards, while backs and tight ends recorded 181 receiving yards and the lone touchdown reception … Nine of the 17 pass catchers on the roster are listed at 6-0 or taller. ■ By The Numbers 5 Receivers on the roster have posted collegiate catches, led by junior Bra'Lon Cherry, who has hauled in 35 passes for 422 yards and three touchdowns; he is at least tied for the career lead in each category at the position. 57 Receptions from last year's 129 posted by the wideouts (44.2 percent) return to the roster. The group also brings back 662 of the 1,633 receiving yards and six of the nine touchdowns recorded in 2014. 89 Career catches for the wide receiving corps, for 1,082 yards and nine touchdowns. NC State's Top Receptions Leader The Past 10 Seasons Year Name Catches Yards 2014 Bo Hines 45 616 2013 Rashard Smith 49 530 2012 Tobais Palmer 54 781 2011 T.J. Graham 46 757 2010 Owen Spencer 60 912 2009 Jarvis Williams 45 547 2008 Owen Spencer 31 691 2007 John Dunlap 45 375 2006 Anthony Hill 45 478 2005 T.J. Williams 36 407 ■ Preseason Analysis **** Among country's best; *** Among ACC's best; ** Solid or has potential; * Too unproven Starters *½ Juniors Bra'Lon Cherry and Johnathan Alston each started about half of the games last year, but that is basically the extent of starting experience on the roster, and neither has proven to be a prototypical No. 1 receiver. That might work in the NCSU offense, which likes to spread the ball around, this fall, and having an experienced quarterback should help bring along the group. Experience * Only five players have recorded catches in college, and two of them have less than 10. No wide receiver on the roster has more than 35 career catches, so the group is definitely unproven. The good news is the young wideouts who have gained experience over the past two years are now upperclassmen, and the rookie class will bring some much-needed speed. Depth ** Injuries hurt the position group this spring and it showed in the spring game. If every - one is healthy by the start of training camp, the competition for playing time should be heated. The Pack has a nice mix of size and speed throughout the group, but the players seem to be tightly bunched heading in to the season. Overall grade *½ An experienced quarterback can only bring a wide receiving corps along so far. The hope is that the running backs and tight ends can help take some pressure off the group, but there is no question that they are going to have to step up. Rookie Bo Hines came out of nowhere to lead the team in receiving last year and quickly developed an impressive rapport with Jacoby Brissett, but he enjoyed the advantage of enrolling early. Is there a player — or combination of players — that can make a Hines-like impact this year? We shall see.