The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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86 ■ THE WOLFPACKER FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2015 BY RYAN TICE O pposing coaches have told NC State safeties coach Clayton White the Wolfpack defensive backs are a physically impos- ing group. Second-year cornerbacks coach George Barlow noticed it when he was on the opposite sideline at Vanderbilt, and new wide receivers coach George McDonald saw the same thing when he was at Syracuse last year. Both informed their new co-worker of their thoughts after they arrived in Raleigh. White, who played linebacker for the Pack from 1997-2000, simply smiles about continu- ing the tradition at his alma mater. Nickel back Dravious Wright is the smallest out of the five returning starters, but he plays bigger than his listed 5-10, 208 pounds. Safeties Hakim Jones and Josh Jones are both 6-2 and north of 205 pounds, while cornerbacks Juston Burris and Jack Tocho check in at 6-1, 207 and 6-0, 198, respectively. "It's very intimidating," White said of how opposing offenses look at the NCSU secondary. "I go back and watch last season, and a lot of plays were made be- cause of their length, size, wingspan and range. Obviously, we can always make more plays, but it comes into play. "It's a nice thing that NC State has always done here with DBs. We've always had bigger DBs than most places — maybe not the biggest, but we're known for above-average-sized defensive backs, and we've been able to keep that trend." White's safety group went into last year with only Hakim Jones as a sure thing on the back line. Now, he is the fifth-year senior leading the way for an experienced unit rounded out by redshirt sophomore Josh Jones, who emerged as one of the team's top de- fenders last season, and Pratt, who contributed as a true freshman. Josh Jones has been labeled as an athletic freak by coaches, while Pratt has more size (6-3, 234) than any second- ary player. Although sophomore Shawn Boone played only a few handfuls of snaps last year, he took a big enough step forward this spring that White says he looks at his meeting room as boasting four starters. However, there is no doubt about who is the alpha dog. "I don't think I could ask for a better situa- tion," he said. "Hakim is able to guide and lead those guys. They have somebody that is out in front and it's always nice to have that. You don't have to worry about there being an awkward moment about who's out in front — that's Ha- kim in meeting rooms, answering questions and just setting the tone for guys." The nickel back position may not have a backup with any experi- ence, but Wright was another defender who improved as the year wore on last season. Defensive coordinator Dave Huxtable, who coaches the nickels every day alongside the linebackers, noted that Wright continued to make strides this spring and is playing "with a lot of confidence right now." DEFENSIVE BACKS THE BACKBONE OF THE TEAM The Secondary Is The Strength Of The Pack's Defense Quick Facts Position Coach: George Barlow (cornerbacks, 2nd season) and Clayton White (safeties, 3rd season) Returning Starters: CB Juston Burris (30 career starts), S Hakim Jones (25), CB Jack Tocho (20), Nickel Dravious Wright (12) and S Josh Jones (8) Starters Lost: None FYI: The nickel backs work with the linebackers under defensive coordinator Dave Huxtable during practice … The Pack's 10 interceptions came in six games last year, and six were recorded by defensive backs, all of whom return this fall … However, the secondary accounted for just 37 of the team's 159 yards (23.3 per- cent) on interception returns … Each of the five returning starters has posted at least 56 career tackles and forced two turnovers … Athlon listed the Pack defensive backs as the ACC's seventh-best unit. ■ By The Numbers 4 Interceptions recorded last year by redshirt sophomore safety Josh Jones, which led the team, tied for second in the ACC and ranked 32nd nationally. 96 Career starts return in the secondary, led by fifth-year senior Juston Burris' 30. The six players with starting experience have appeared in 151 college contests. 204.7 Passing yards per game allowed by NCSU last year, which ranked 30th nationally and was the Pack's best finish in the category since 2006 (182.3). Year-By-Year Interception Totals Year Int. Return Yards 2014 10 159 2013 12 146 2012 16 192 2011 27 381 2010 9 164 2009 8 65 2008 18 197 2007 10 58 2006 7 121 2005 13 199 ■ Preseason Analysis **** Among country's best; *** Among ACC's best; ** Solid or has potential; * Too unproven Starters *** All five players who ended last year as starters in the secondary return, and they boast experience and proven production. The group has combined for 138 games played, 95 starts, 461 tackles, 53 passes broken up and 15 interceptions, while opponents averaged 204.7 passing yards per game last year (which ranked 30th nationally). Experience **** The starters are battle-tested; the five average 19 starts per player. The backups entered last year without much game experience, but a pair of cornerbacks and safety Germaine Pratt earned playing time as the season went on. Niles Clark logged at least 23 snaps in the last five contests, while Mike Stevens played at least 20 snaps on defense four times. At safety, Pratt saw 14 or more defensive snaps in nine contests. Depth **½ The defensive backfield actually lost only two backups that combined for 31 tackles from last year's roster, so pretty much the whole group is back. Nickel back is the only position without an experienced reserve, while safety has four players with coach Clayton White's trust. There is no shortage of capable athletes at cornerback, either. Overall grade *** It could be a banner year for the backline if it picks up where it left off last season. The last four opponents of 2014 averaged just 174.8 passing yards per game and were intercepted three times, while Georgia Tech was the only one to complete at least half its passes during that span. The Pack's aerial struggles during the spring game could have been a preview of how tough it will be for opponents to move the ball this fall.