The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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JULY 2015 ■ 79 FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2015 Nielsen has a unique configuration of personnel as well. Redshirt freshmen tackles Coult Culler (formerly linebacker) and Garrett Bradbury (fullback) were converted to the defensive line in the spring. Sophomore Kentavius Street was moved from end to get a look inside. A few practices into spring, sophomore Bradley Chubb was moved from linebacker to end. Thus Nielsen is still trying to figure out how his rotation, which can go as high as 12 players, will shake out. "We could go in day one with four guys and day two four new guys," he said. "It's like a pitching, whoever is hot is going to get the start, that type of deal. We have some competition now at every position." The early favorites at end appear to be Rose and Chubb. Rose started 11 games last year and finished strong to total 46 tackles, including a team-high 14 for loss, and five sacks. He had 10.5 tackles for loss in the final seven games, including three sacks at Syracuse. Nielsen said that Chubb has found his home at end, the position he was originally recruited to play. Pushing them will be Holden, redshirt sophomore Pharoah McKever and touted freshman Darian Roseboro, an early enrollee. McKever, a former high school quarterback and safety, had nine tackles, including three for loss and a sack, plus a memorable 82- yard interception return for a touchdown last season while earning a pair of starts. Inside, sophomore B.J. Hill looks to build off an impressive rookie season during which he made 40 tackles, including 7.5 for Defensive Tackles Roster STARTERS No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 98 B.J. Hill So. 6-4 300 Oakboro, N.C. Started five games as a true freshman nose tackle and made 40 tackles, including 7.5 for loss and 1.5 sacks, earning team rookie of the year on defense honors. 35 Kentavius Street So. 6-2 290 Greenville, N.C. Moved inside after making 23 tackles, including one for loss, as a true freshman. Was rated by Rivals.com as the No. 43 overall player in the 2014 class. RESERVES No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 93 Justin Jones So. 6-2 300 Austell, Ga. Played in 10 games as a true freshman and made nine tackles. Rated by Rivals.com as a four-star recruit, and the No. 14 strongside defensive end and No. 241 overall player in the 2014 class. 94 Monty Nelson Jr. 6-2 310 Plantation, Fla. Knee injury sidelined him after five starts, during which he had 18 tackles, 1.5 stops loss and a sack. WAITING IN THE WINGS No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 73 Grant Bowman So. 6-1 275 Wilmington, N.C. Walk-on who played high school ball at Laney High. 91 Garrett Bradbury R-Fr. 6-3 285 Charlotte, N.C. Converted fullback moved to defensive tackle in the spring. Had 12.5 tackles for loss and five sacks as a senior at Charlotte Christian in nine games. 69 Eurndraus Bryant Fr. 6-1 350 North Charleston, S.C. Last commitment in the 2015 class had 3.5 tackles for loss and two sacks in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas All-Star Game. 43 Coult Culler R-Fr. 6-5 280 Wilmington, N.C. Converted linebacker was rated as a three-star prospect by Rivals.com after making 135 tackles as a senior at Laney High. 67 Clark Eyers R-Jr. 6-5 252 Dunn, N.C. Walk-on from Midway High. 96 Kenton Gibbs R-So. 6-2 300 Detroit Returned from Achilles tendon injury to play 10 games last season, making 13 tackles, 1.5 stops for loss and a sack. 99 Quentez Johnson Fr. 6-2 340 Ellenwood, Ga. Listed by Rivals.com as a three-star prospect, the No. 48 defensive tackle in the country and the No. 65 player in Georgia in the 2015 class. 97 Deshaywn Middleton R-Fr. 6-1 300 Winston-Salem, N.C. Was ranked by Rivals.com as a three-star talent, the No. 22 player in the state and the No. 39 defensive tackle nationally in the 2014 class. 79 Ben Pierce R-Jr. 5-10 269 Purlear, N.C. Walk-on from West Wilkes High. ■ Preseason Analysis **** Among country's best; *** Among ACC's best; ** Solid or has potential; * Too unproven Starters **½ Fifth-year senior end Mike Rose has earned some preseason all-conference chatter, and sophomore tackle B.J. Hill flashed his potential during a successful rookie season. If junior tackle Monty Nelson can return to his 2013 form and personnel moves like sliding sophomore Kentavius Street inside and sophomore Bradley Chubb from linebacker to end pay off, the Pack's defensive line could develop into a team strength. Experience **½ Rose, Hill and Nelson have fairly extensive experience, and Street, sophomore tackle Justin Jones and redshirt sophomore end Pharoah McKever all got their share of reps last fall. Although the unit as a whole is young, there is still a fair amount of experience along the line. Depth **½ Defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen has played as many as 12 guys at times along the defensive line. There is the potential to get close to that this season given the talent accumulated up front. However, how many will play will depend entirely on how ready the young players will be come September. Overall grade **½ There is definite potential on the defensive line, but for it to be realized the young talent needs to grow up in a hurry. If they do, then the unit could develop into one of the ACC's better lines, not only this season but for years to come. Defensive Ends Roster STARTERS No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 49 Bradley Chubb So. 6-4 260 Powder Springs, Ga. Played last season at linebacker and on special teams, making four tackles, but coaches believe he has found a home at defensive end. 90 Mike Rose 5th-Sr. 6-3 270 Fountain Inn, S.C. Started 11 games last fall and had 46 tackles, including a team-high 14 for loss, and five sacks. Also had five quarterback hurries and tied for the team lead with two forced fumbles. RESERVES No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 55 Deonte Holden R-Fr. 6-4 240 Hyattsville, Md. Ranked by Rivals.com as a three-star prospect, the No. 18 player from Maryland and the No. 31 strongside defensive end in the 2014 class. 87 Pharoah McKever R-So. 6-6 260 Tabor City, N.C. His 82-yard pick-six at Syracuse may have been the play of the 2014 season, and he finished the year with nine tackles, three stops for loss and a sack. 45 Darian Roseboro Fr. 6-4 287 Lincolnton, N.C. One-time Michigan commitment enrolled early and started in the Kay Yow Spring Game. Was rated by Rivals.com, Scout.com and 247Sports.com among the nation's top 125 players in the 2015 class. WAITING IN THE WINGS No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 54 Davion Allred R-So. 6-0 228 Raleigh Walk-on from nearby Millbrook. 75 Hampton Billips R-Fr. 6-7 247 Greensboro, N.C. Walk-on from Northwest Guilford High. 92 Emmanuel Olenga Fr. 6-4 251 Charlotte, N.C. Rated by Rivals.com as a three-star recruit after making 16.5 sacks as a senior at Olympic High. 95 Tyrone Riley Fr. 6-6 260 Savannah, Ga. One-time Kentucky commitment was rated as a three-star prospect, the No. 27 weakside defensive end in the 2015 class and the No. 60 prospect from Georgia by Rivals.com. "We've got some talented players, we've just got to be patient with them and continue teaching and coaching them daily." ■ Defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen