The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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80 ■ THE WOLFPACKER FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2015 loss and 1.5 sacks, while making five starts. Nelson will challenge him at nose tackle. Nelson was named a second-team Freshman All-American by Ath- lon in 2013 after piling up 8.5 tackles for loss, but missed seven games last season with a knee injury that required offseason surgery. At the three-technique defensive tackle, Street and Jones are a pair of sophomores trying to build off their rookie seasons. Street made 23 tackles (one for loss) last year, and Jones had nine hits. Nielsen likes the athleticism of his unit, and he hopes that will allow them to move the linemen around more and even drop them into coverage. He also likes the chemistry they have developed, which is important in the building process. "I think as of right now we are tighter than we've ever been as a group," Nielsen said. "I know that they hang out with each other off the field. I think our continuity, we play a lot more together than we ever have. I think that shows up." ■ Getting To Know: Kentavius Street Sophomore defensive lineman Kentavius Street is undergoing a new learning experience. After playing last season at defensive end, where he posted 23 tackles, one stop for loss, two quarterback hurries and one pass broken up, Street is getting a look at playing inside. Street can remember his high school coaches at Greenville (N.C.) Rose High telling him that he would ultimately end up as a three-technique defensive tackle because of his 6-2 height, so Street admitted, "I somewhat expected it. "It's a little bit different," Street added. "A lot more physical, a lot quicker, but I am getting used to it. "I like it because I am closer to the ball, easier to make plays, but at the same time, I liked the freedom I had at the end." Physically, though, the adjustment has not been significant. Street enrolled at NCSU strong for a freshman, and he currently checks in at 290 pounds. In fact, Street noted that the strength coaches have kept him on the same weight regimen despite the move inside. The move to defensive tackle, though, makes Street's already good athleticism an even better asset. "I am a lot quicker than most three-techniques, so I use that speed advantage to my advan - tage," he said. "It's a lot tougher to reach me and everything." Besides the fact that the move makes some sense for Street, it is also potentially needed for NC State. The Pack loses seniors T.Y. McGill and Thomas Teal from last year's squad and had two more miss spring with injuries: junior Monty Nelson and sophomore Justin Jones. Thus Street is hoping to take advantage of what he described as "a big hole at three- technique." He is also wants to play with more confidence than he did a year ago. Street arrived at NCSU as a ballyhooed four-star recruit, the top player in the Pack's well- regarded 2014 recruiting class. He said that he never felt the pressure of performing up to those prep credentials, especially after having a conversation about just focusing on himself with head coach Dave Doeren and defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen shortly after arriving. Rather, it was adjusting to the defense and speed of the game that gave Street bigger issues. "I played a lot slower than I am now," Street said. "My knowledge level wasn't as high, and I wasn't as confident. With a year into the game, I am a lot more comfortable with the coaching staff, the scheme and everything. "Everything is coming a lot faster now." Street can relate to one of his teammates on the defensive line, freshman Darian Roseboro. Roseboro enrolled early at NC State. Like Street, he was considered a blue-chip prospect, and Roseboro arrived at NCSU only after changing his mind about a previous commitment to Michigan. Street believes Roseboro is already progressing at a better rate than he personally did. "I just told him keep a level head, continue to work because everything is not going to come as easy as it did in high school," Street noted. "He's raw right now technique-wise, but he's a really good athlete. "The sky is the limit for him. He's going to continue to work. He's starting better in the scheme than I did. He understands stuff a lot better than I did. He's a good player." — Matt Carter Year-By-Year Sack Totals Year Sacks Yards 2014 30 236 2013 20 115 2012 33 225 2011 38 242 2010 42 284 2009 24 159 2008 23 144 2007 27 177 2006 24 193 2005 41 292 After he recorded 23 tackles as a true freshman defensive end, Street switched to defensive tackle — a position group where the Pack suffered major losses — this spring. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN Quick Facts Position Coach: Ryan Nielsen (3rd season) Returning Starters: B.J. Hill (5 career starts) and Mike Rose (15) Starter Lost: Art Norman (37) and Thomas Teal (34) FYI: Phil Steele's 2015 College Football Preview listed Rose on its preseason third- team All-ACC squad … Athlon rated the defensive line as the eighth-best unit in the conference … Rose ran the 100-meter dash in 10.90 seconds in high school … Redshirt sophomore end Pharoah McKever was signed to be a wide receiver after piling up 5,687 total yards as a prep quarterback for South Columbus High in Tabor City, N.C., but he had experience on defense as well, making 280 career tackles and 18 picks at safety in high school … Sophomore defensive end Bradley Chubb's older brother Brandon Chubb is a fifth-year senior and startling linebacker at Wake Forest, and his cousin Nick Chubb is a starting running back at Georgia … Hill ran for 819 yards on 118 carries as a running back his senior year at West Stanly High in Oakboro, N.C., and freshman defensive end Darian Roseboro rushed for 1,400 yards and 35 touchdowns as a fullback for Lincoln - ton (N.C.) High as a senior … Redshirt freshman defensive tackle Deshaywn Middleton's older brother Douglas Middleton was a starting defensive back at Appalachian State … Freshman defensive end Emmanuel Olenga is originally from the African nation of Congo and moved to the United States at the age of 6 … Freshman defensive tackle Eurndraus Bryant hit .490 as a senior left fielder in baseball and led the team in home runs.