The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/699450
108 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BY MATT CARTER N C State signed 20 recruits in the class of 2011, and the group was far from an excitement-filled, heralded collection. The enthusiasm of a 9-4 season capped by a Champs Sports Bowl win over West Virginia and a top-25 finish in the polls in the fall were somewhat dampened by a recruiting class that Rivals.com ranked No. 86 nationally. Among those ahead of the Wolfpack in the rankings were Central Florida, Cincinnati, SMU, Marshall, San Diego State, South Florida, Colorado State, Memphis, Toledo, East Carolina, Wyoming, Houston, Utah State, Hawaii, Northern Illinois, UNLV, New Mexico, Kent State, Louisiana Tech, Fresno State and Southern Miss. And also every team in the ACC. However, this past April's NFL Draft, when two players from the class were selected, was a nice, perhaps fitting, closing chapter for a group that proved to be underappreciated five years earlier. Name Pos. Starts Alex Barr OG 28 After redshirting and then playing primarily special teams as a rookie, claimed a starting job as a redshirt sophomore and started 28 games over his final three years. Wil Baumann P 50 Ended his career as NC State's all-time leader in punts (266) and punting yards (10,868 yards), and was first-team All-ACC as a senior after averaging 45.4 yards per boot — second best ever for a single season at NCSU. His career average of 40.9 is sixth highest in school history. Benson Browne TE 3 Played fairly sparingly and did not catch a pass until his fifth-year senior season (four receptions for 18 yards, includ - ing two scores). Earned two undergraduate degrees and was twice named to ACC Academic Honor Roll. Despite modest playing time, received a training camp invite with the Los Angeles Rams. Juston Burris CB 43 Made an immediate impact after redshirting as a fresh- man, starting five games as a rookie. Finished his career with 164 career tackles, five interceptions and 26 passes broken up. Was selected in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the New York Jets. Tyrrell Burris CB 0 Redshirted and then was dismissed from the team. Hakeem Flowers WR 0 One of the more highly touted prospects in the class, Flowers redshirted and then played nine games (no catches) in 2012. Left team following the season. Went to a junior college briefly before apparently giving up football. McKay Frandsen DE 1 The junior college All-American transfer played as a reserve at NC State for two years, recording 23 total tackles, includ - ing one for a loss, and nine quarterback hurries. Carlos Gray DT 5 After a redshirt season, Gray was a key part of the de- fensive tackle rotation for two years, totaling 35 tackles, 4.5 stops for loss, 2.5 sacks, two quarterback hurries and two fumble recoveries. Surprisingly turned pro after the 2013 season and participated in the Green Bay Packers' training camp as an undrafted free agent, but did not make the roster. Hakim Jones S 38 The younger brother of former Pack linebacker Ernest Jones was a three-year starter after redshirting his freshman season and playing as a reserve a year later. Finished with 213 career tackles, five interceptions, 13 passes broken up, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. Dave Mann DL 0 Redshirted in 2011 and played just one game a year later before being dismissed from the team. Matriculated to Johnson C. Smith, where he recorded 26 tackles, including 10 for loss and 3.5 sacks, in two years. The 2011 Class Proved Better Than Its Low Rankings Underrated HAUL CLASS OF 2011 SUMMARY Joe Thuney was NC State's first All-American on the offensive line since Jim Ritcher in 1979. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN