The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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60 ■ THE WOLFPACKER FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 originally committed to South Carolina, before finalizing his col- lege plans with NC State. The 6-2, 205-pound Stephens played locally at Durham (N.C.) Hillside High, and was a two-year standout. The freshmen trio collectively had 177 catches for 3,147 yards and 44 touchdowns during their senior years. "We have Bra'Lon Cherry, Stephen Louis, Nyheim Hines and Maurice Trowell, so you have to compete to take one of those guys off the field," McDonald said. "There has to be a reason why. That is the biggest thing in the wide receiver room. "If you want to play, you have to beat someone out." ■ Getting To Know: Stephen Louis Stephen Louis might not be a new recruit, but he's essentially one of the top new- comers to NC State's offense. The 6-2, 215-pound redshirt sophomore was forced to sit out last year due to injuries to both of his shoulders. He has also changed his uniform number from No. 88 to 12 and gained at least 15 pounds since he was last seen playing for the Wolfpack. The wideout figured he was close to 100 percent last November, and he was even- tually medically cleared for spring practices. "It feels great to be out there with my teammates because there is no better feeling than that," Louis said. "Having a whole year off and being isolated was different for me since I've been playing football a long time." NC State's wide receiving core is in need of a boost, and Louis hopes to take advantage. "I expect a lot from us," he said. "There is competition everywhere and some great players all over the board. Maurice [Trowell] is competing, and [Bra'Lon] Cherry is out there. "All of us are great players, and I'm confident in our core." Louis played quarterback, running back, wide receiver, linebacker, safety and corner - back during his senior year of high school. He thinks the shoulder issues stem from his prep days, and taking a medical redshirt in 2015 may prove highly beneficial for him. "The game has slowed down for me," Louis said. "The year off has given me an op- portunity to learn football. I came here as an athlete just playing football. "In high school, you don't need to know all of the nuances of the game to be suc- cessful. You just have to be athletic." He caught seven passes for 72 yards and a touchdown as a true freshman in 2014. One catch in particular meant everything to him — a 16-yard touchdown reception in the Wolfpack's 46-34 home win over Old Dominion. "My first touchdown, I'll just never let that go," Louis said. "I still have my cleats, my gloves, wristbands and everything from that game." The shrine to his first collegiate touchdown is in his mom's bedroom, complete with socks and an undershirt that didn't go through the laundry. His jersey from the Bitcoin St. Petersburg Bowl is also part of it. "There was no laundry involved," Louis admitted. "I put it in there just how it is. It probably smells terrible. … She probably cleaned it by now." The play that pushes the young pass catcher to work hard is a drop against Presby - terian two weeks after his first, and to date only, score. "Ever since that game, there is that drive to never let that happen again," he said. Another prediction the improved and healthy Louis has is that potential starting quarterback Jalan McClendon, another redshirt sophomore, won't be able to easily overthrow him. Louis believes he is simply too fast. "They all have great arms and Jalan has a cannon, but I can out-run him," he said. The Wolfpack offensive coaches certainly hope that is the case. If Louis can give NC State that needed boost, his shrine at home may grow. However, it could look a bit different with his new jersey number. He half-joked that he'll see plenty of fans in the stands next year wearing his new No. 12 jersey since former NCSU quarterback Jacoby Brissett wore that number the last two years. "I just thought it was time for a change, and I came in with a different mindset," Louis said. "I wanted a new and fresh start. "Jacoby is my boy, and we are from the same hometown [West Palm Beach, Fla.]. Jacoby wore it well, and I want to hold on to that high standard and continue to have No. 12 look good for Palm Beach." — Jacey Zembal Louis, a redshirt sophomore who was sidelined last fall by shoulder injuries, had five catches for 64 yards in the Kay Yow Spring Game in April. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN ■ Preseason Analysis **** Among country's best; *** Among ACC's best; ** Solid or has potential; * Too unproven Starters ** Seniors Bra'Lon Cherry and Jumichael Ramos combined for 56 receptions, 745 receiv- ing yards and three scores last season, but both need to provide big-play potential to the new quarterback this fall. Redshirt sophomore Stephen Louis is back healthy and is expected to start alongside Ramos and Cherry. Experience ** Ramos and Cherry have played in 69 games between them, while both redshirt sophomore Maurice Trowell and sophomore Nyheim Hines earned plenty of playing time in their first year on the field, starting a combined 11 contests. Redshirt junior Gavin Locklear also has experience. Depth ** Trowell, Hines and Louis have the potential to be a good group of sophomore wide receivers. Freshmen Kelvin Harmon, C.J. Riley and Daeshawn Stephens, plus speedy redshirt freshmen Brian Sessoms and Vernon Grier will definitely get their chance to challenge for early playing time. Overall grade ** NC State has experienced options that boast speed and playmaking ability, but none that have really broken out yet. If one can emerge as a go-to receiver, the offense and whoever wins the starting quarterback job will benefit greatly. "We have Bra'Lon Cherry, Stephen Louis, Nyheim Hines and Maurice Trowell, so you have to compete to take one of those guys off the field. There has to be a reason why. That is the biggest thing in the wide receiver room. If you want to play, you have to beat someone out." ■ Wide receivers coach George McDonald