The Wolfpacker

May 2016 Issue

The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports

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38 ■ THE WOLFPACKER offense gained 224 yards on 37 plays with McClendon under center, while Meyers directed them to 211 yards on 47 snaps. Given what both signal-callers showed, the biggest concern in the passing game this fall could be the blockers up front and receivers out wide, not the newbie under center. Defensive Line Is Stout The field generals were good, but the best position group on the field — as a whole — was defensive end. It wasn't just the usual suspects, either. Presumed starters Bradley Chubb and Kentavius Street, both juniors, each posted tackles behind the line of scrimmage in their limited action, and Chubb's resulted in a safety. Sophomore Darian Roseboro also logged a tackle for loss and broke up a pass. However, it was a trio of Roseboro's classmates who redshirted last year that really stole the show. Emmanuel Olenga paced the Red squad with six tackles, which tied for the second most on the day, in addition to a game-best two tackles for loss and one pass broken up. On the White team, Tyrone Riley showed off his 6-6, 285-pound frame with two passes knocked down at the line of scrim- mage to go along with four tackles, while James Smith-Williams posted four stops and a sack. Defensive tackle should also be one of the Pack's strongest positions in the fall. Junior Justin Jones was the lone notable defender to miss the contest, but he should return to bolster a rotation that includes junior All-ACC candidate B.J. Hill, se- nior Monty Nelson, sophomore Eurndraus Bryant and redshirt freshman Quentez Johnson. Coaches felt good enough about the inte- rior that Street lined up exclusively at end in the spring, but he could slide back inside if needed. Running Back Has Plenty Of Options The top four rushers from last year — senior running back Matt Dayes, Brissett, junior tight end/fullback Jaylen Samuels and sophomore running back Reggie Gal- laspy — did not play. The third running back from last year, redshirt junior Da- kwa Nichols, was also unavailable, but that wouldn't have been obvious to the casual observer. Sophomore wide receiver Nyheim Hines stepped in at running back, like he did in the Belk Bowl, and redshirt freshman Johnny Frasier made his debut at Carter- Finley Stadium. The duo combined for 149 yards from scrimmage and three touch- downs. Both also had impressive runs of 30-plus yards; Frasier's was a 32-yard touchdown scamper during which he car- ried a defensive back into the end zone after breaking multiple tackles. The Red team netted 207 yards and four touchdowns on the ground, averaging 4.6 yards per carry, despite working behind a front that featured at least two likely back- ups in the fall. When the line gets its best five on the field and all four returning rushers who missed the spring game — Dayes, Samuels, Gallaspy and Nichols combined for 1,750 yards and 26 touchdowns on the ground last year — are back to full strength, watch out. Redshirt freshman Johnny Frasier showed off his talents and displayed the Pack's backfield depth in the spring game, carrying the ball 17 times for 66 yards and a pair of touchdowns — including a 32-yarder when he broke multiple tackles and carried a defender into the end zone with him. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN

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