The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/699450
JULY 2016 ■ 63 FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 "In the spring, we had a different lineup almost every day. There is just more comfort when they have [continuity]." The spring proved to be difficult due to injuries and the sus- pension of redshirt sophomore right tackle Will Richardson. The players are healthy again, and Richardson is back in the fold heading into fall camp. "At same time, those guys that were in two-deep or three-deep were now taking reps with the ones all the time," Ledford noted. Ledford said that he does some things differently than former NCSU offensive line coach Mike Uremovich, who was hired as an offensive coordinator at Northern Illinois. "Anybody that comes into a situation, you are going to do the things that you are used to and accustomed to doing," Ledford said. "That's typical of any coach. Coach U did a great job with those guys. When I'm coming in, I'm doing something totally different, and they are slowly getting used to that." The most experienced re- turner is junior right guard Tony Adams, who missed parts of the spring due to in- jury. The two-year starter was originally anticipated to play center this season, but has re- mained at right guard. "He is a guard/center type at 6-2, but he's over 300 pounds," Ledford said. "He is very good with his feet, playing with le- verage. I'm excited to finally get to work with Tony." Some positions might be in flux during fall camp, but Adams likely is as entrenched as anybody on the roster. "I think at a couple of positions, it's going to be pretty wide open," Ledford said. "I told that to the whole group when they first got here for summer session I. I'm going to look at this thing as opening it up right now." Richardson, redshirt sophomore Tyler Jones and redshirt fresh- man Emanuel McGirt Jr. are in the mix at tackle, though Jones has the flexibility to also play guard. "Tyler is as talented as any kid that I've coached," Ledford said. "I think he has great feet and plays with good balance. It's more the mental approach to the game that we are working on as much Rushing Yards Per Game Behind The Wolfpack Line Year YPG ACC Rank 2015 202.5 4 2014 204.5 4 2013 162.7 7 2012 111.1 9 2011 104.8 11 2010 123.3 11 2009 120.9 9 2008 123.2 7 2007 89.2 11 2006 119.7 5 STARTERS No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 50 Tony Adams Jr. 6-2 315 Charlotte Missed the spring due to injury. Played a team-high 939 snaps last year. 65 Garrett Bradbury R-So. 6-3 293 Charlotte Originally recruited to play tight end, then was switched to defensive tackle and subsequently has settled in at offensive guard. Played in 11 games and 36 snaps. 53 Tyler Jones R-So. 6-3 300 Stone Mountain, Ga. Competed for the left tackle position last year, but ended up starting at left guard for two games due to injuries. Also filled in at right tackle when Will Richardson was suspended for a game, and ultimately won the job. 54 Will Richardson R-So. 6-6 303 Burlington, N.C. Started nine game last year at right tackle. Had to miss the spring semester due to a school- induced suspension. 66 Joseph Scelfo 5th-Sr. 6-1 300 Bogart, Ga. Picked NC State over Nebraska, Missouri and others when he decided to be a graduate transfer from South Alabama. Praised by head coach Dave Doeren prior to the Wolfpack whipping USA 63-13 on Sept. 26, 2015. RESERVES No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 62 Coult Culler R-So. 6-5 280 Wilmington, N.C. Recruited to play middle linebacker, but grew into a defensive tackle. After NC State had a rash of injuries this spring, made the move to guard and earned praise for his play. 56 Bryce Kennedy 5th-Sr. 6-3 305 Southern Pines, N.C. Started for an injured Alex Barr against Old Dominion, but suffered a concussion and didn't play the rest of the season. Finished with 90 snaps in three games. 74 Emanuel McGirt Jr. R-Fr. 6-6 295 Durham, N.C. Redshirted last year and has been groomed for the left tackle position. Gained valuable experience with injuries along the offensive line during the spring. 70 Terronne Prescod R-So. 6-5 338 Decatur, Ga. Has slimmed down and played center and guard in practice for the Wolfpack. Appeared in 12 games last year, mostly on special teams, and finished with 42 snaps. RESERVES, CONT. 59 John Tu'uta 5th-Sr. 6-3 280 Fredericksburg, Va. Earned praise from his past coaches for his leadership skills and will compete for backup snaps at center. Played in four games and 44 snaps last year. 78 Aaron Wiltz R-Fr. 6-5 300 Baton Rouge, La. Redshirted last year and has gained at least 22 pounds. The former Central Florida commit had to miss parts of spring practice due to injury. WAITING IN THE WINGS No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 52 Kendall Brown Fr. 6-4 265 Jacksonville, Fla. Verbally committed to Appalachian State, but followed new NC State offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford to Raleigh. 73 Justin Chase Fr. 6-6 285 Chesapeake, Va. Originally committed to East Carolina, but eventually switched to NC State. Rivals.com rated him a three-star prospect. 64 Peter Daniel R-Jr. 6-6 294 Raleigh The Broughton High product walked on and gained 34 pounds. Has appeared in 13 games and played 43 snaps at tackle. 75 Bryce Folsom Fr. 6-4 263 Alpharetta, Ga. The Rivals.com two-star prospect enrolled early this past spring. 76 Harrison Gee Fr. 6-3 278 Burlington, N.C. The legacy signee — his father was former Wolfpack great Mike Gee — committed on July 26, 2014. The Rivals.com three-star could project to play either guard or center. 71 Joe Sculthorpe Fr. 6-2 290 Hampstead, N.C. The physical Rivals.com three-star prospect was also a gifted prep wrestler. Projects to play on the interior. 72 Philip Walton R-Fr. 6-7 274 Charlotte The Rivals.com three-star tackle prospect in the class of 2015 gained at least 14 pounds during his redshirt season. 67 Justin Witt Fr. 6-6 290 Chicago The New Lenox (Ill.) Lincoln-Way West enrolled early this spring. He is projected to play tackle. Offensive Line Roster Quick Facts Position Coach: Dwayne Ledford (first season) Returning Starters: Tony Adams (22 career starts), Will Richardson (9) and Tyler Jones (6) Starters Lost: Quinton Schooley (38), Joe Thuney (34) and Alex Barr (28) FYI: NC State's offensive line was ranked No. 8 in the ACC by Athlon … South Alabama graduate transfer Joseph Scelfo was named first-team All-Sun Belt last year at South Alabama … Incoming freshman Harrison Gee was a standout for Burl- ington (N.C.) Williams and earned a 95 percent grade his senior year on blocking assignments, capturing a spot in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas (which he missed due to injury) and playing in the Semper Fidelis All-American Game … Incoming freshman Joe Sculthorpe started at right guard in the Shrine Bowl … Sculthorpe was also a gifted wrestler his first three years of high school — NCHSAA 3-A heavyweight champion his sophomore year and runner-up his junior year — but didn't wrestle his senior year … Incoming freshman Kendall Brown helped Jack- sonville (Fla.) Trinity Christian to three straight 3-A state titles from 2013-15 … Freshman Justin Witt, who enrolled early this past spring, helped lead New Lenox (Ill.) Lincoln-Way West to the 5-A state title game his senior year.