The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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64 ■ THE WOLFPACKER FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 as anything else. "Will came back in really good shape. … I'm excited about what he can do. He's a big kid, and he is on a mission right now." Adams, redshirt sophomore Garrett Bradbury and fifth-year senior Bryce Kennedy are in the mix at the two guard spots. Jones also could factor in as well if he doesn't win the left tackle posi- tion. Bradbury could also play center. "[Bradbury] is very athletic," Ledford said. "He has put on great size this summer. I'm really excited about him, and he's a guy that I look to be a leader for that group. "I'm expecting big, big things for Garrett, and I think he can accomplish them for himself." NC State also welcomes South Alabama graduate transfer Joe Scelfo, a fifth-year senior center who will help provide some much needed experience. "It's good to have somebody at that position who has that kind of experience," Ledford said. "He sees a lot of the big picture at the center position." Redshirt sophomore guards Terronne Prescod and Coult Culler are expected to provide depth on the interior, with the latter mak- ing the move from defensive tackle. Ledford is also excited about the future in the trenches. McGirt is joined by redshirt freshman Aaron Wiltz and Philip Walton Jr. from the class of 2015. NC State signed six incoming fresh- men, though the hope will be that they redshirt and put on good weight. ■ Getting To Know: Garrett Bradbury Garrett Bradbury has been at NC State for two years and has already lined up with three different position groups. He was on the move again this spring, but he at least stayed on the offensive line. The Charlotte native came in as a 6-3, 250-pound tight end and redshirted his first year on campus while playing the same position he did in high school. Then his nomadic journey began. After adding weight and tipping the scales north of 270 pounds during the spring of 2015, he switched his jersey number from 38 to 91 and flipped to the defensive line, lining up at tackle where the team was short on numbers due to injuries and graduation. After spending the spring on defense, he stayed in the trenches but switched back to the other side of the ball and became an offensive guard last fall, donning No. 65 and logging 36 snaps in three games. He appeared in eight more games on special teams. "I think it will just calm some nerves," he said of how last year's limited experi - ence can help going forward. "You're obviously still going to be nervous, but you've seen some of it." The weight has continued to go up, but another change came with it when the Wolf- pack opened spring prac- tice — Bradbury slid over from guard to center, where NCSU must replace gradu- ated starter Quinton Schooley. Bradbury had never snapped a ball before, but the redshirt sophomore hasn't had a problem with moving around before and is more than happy to try something new again to help his team. "It's a different world in there, but you always need guys that can play different positions. I like it, though. "You're the captain of the O-line [at center], you're making all the calls and telling everyone where to go. At guard, you just listen to the center. … I've got to know a lot more stuff and know all of the pieces that are moving in the picture, and be able to help the other guys on the offensive line get where they need to go." One other new aspect the 6-3, 293-pounder has had to adjust to is that it's all about how the collective unit plays up front. That has its advantages and disadvan- tages, according to Bradbury. "It's a lot less individualistic — you've got to work as a unit," he said. "If four guys do the right thing and one guy messes up, the play is done, so a lot more leadership qualities need to come out. We've just got to keep working as a unit. "There's a lot less glory, but a lot more work." Another difference for the big men is they'll be working with new offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford after former mentor Mike Uremovich left this offseason to take the offensive coordinator job at Northern Illinois. Bradbury noted that the operation under Ledford, a former NFL offensive line- man despite playing mostly on the defensive side in college at East Carolina, is another change from last year. He contends that is where his inexperience might actually give him an edge; he's still learning and not set in any ways up front. "This new system is a lot different in so many different ways," he explained. "We're a real young group, but I think the different coaching style is going to help us out. "[Ledford] brings a lot of intensity, I think his style of play is going to fit us real well. … He played a long time so he's heard a bunch of different coaches, a bunch of different systems, and he's bringing all of the stuff that works best for him to us. That's been really good for us so far. "He's big on effort, so hustling to the ball, finishing the play and just the things that don't take too much talent — he's really stressing those, which will help us down the road." — Ryan Tice Bradbury was recruited to play tight end, and then moved to defensive tackle be- fore settling in on the offensive line. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN ■ Preseason Analysis **** Among country's best; *** Among ACC's best; ** Solid or has potential; * Too unproven Starters ** NC State had an uneven spring while players were either injured or suspended, so it could take new offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford some time to mesh his projected starting five. NCSU appears to be committed to having junior Tony Adams at right guard, and the Wolfpack landed South Alabama graduate transfer Joseph Scelfo to play center. Redshirt sophomores Will Richardson, Tyler Jones and Garrett Bradbury plus redshirt freshman Emanuel McGirt Jr. could fill out the remaining three spots. Jones can play either tackle position or guard, and Bradbury can play either guard spot or center. Rich - ardson started nine games at right tackle last year, and Jones tallied six starts between left guard and right tackle. McGirt was a highly recruited left tackle. Experience ** NC State went from having three seniors starting on the offensive line a year ago, to a mix of experience and youth. Adams and Scelfo have combined for 47 college starts, but Scelfo will have to adjust to playing against ACC defensive lineman on a week-to-week basis. He started 25 straight games at center and was named All-Sun Belt by both the coaches and media. Adams has started 22 out of 25 games for the Wolfpack, and Richardson and Jones have played enough to know what it takes against some of the nation's top teams and players. The majority of the backups are younger players, but fifth-year senior Bryce Ken - nedy could be in the mix as either a starter at left guard or in a utility role. Depth * NC State's depth has been in catch-up mode after six offensive line signees over the last three recruiting classes have departed the program. NCSU switched redshirt sophomore defensive tackle Coult Culler to guard this past spring, and the former prep linebacker appears to have found a home. The players who don't win the left guard or one of the tackle spots will become key depth guys. Overall grade ** NC State has typically used the first month of the season to find a rhythm on the of - fensive line. The Wolfpack came out of the gates strong last year with a dominant rushing attack, but part of that was also playing non-power conference opponents. NC State averaged 4.9 rushing yards per carry and allowed 39 sacks. The latter num- ber will need to get lowered with a newcomer at quarterback. If the line comes together, this could be the year where NCSU snaps the 14-year streak of not having a 1,000-yard rusher with senior running back Matthew Dayes.