The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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76 ■ THE WOLFPACKER FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 Nielsen is excited about the progress other players have made in the weight room and expects them to help provide depth on the interior, especially senior Monty Nelson who appears to have finally returned to full health. Nelson needed microfracture knee surgery, an injury that limited his pro- ductiveness the last two years. Nielsen sees the old Nelson running around in practice, and the coach foresees a potential position battle with Hill in the fall. "It's a testament to his off-the-field rehab in the weight room," Nielsen said. "We'll break practice, and there goes Monty off to do another drill to get himself better and back to where he was, and I'm not even out there." Sophomore Eurndraus Bryant, who played all 13 games last sea- son as a rookie, and redshirt freshman Quentez Johnson have both dropped considerable weight since their arrival on campus, losing in the neighborhood of 30 to 40 pounds. Touted freshman Ben "Shug" Frazier will jump into the mix in the fall. Nielsen has played at least one true freshman every season, and he sees potential in Frazier to continue that trend. ■ Getting To Know: Darian Roseboro Sophomore defensive end Darian Roseboro can notice the obvious and subtle changes from this year's spring practice compared to last year. Although listed at 6-4, 285 pounds, the native of Lincolnton, N.C., said he was actually down to 273 pounds in the spring. He is competing for a starting defensive end spot and is more at ease at the position. "It has been easier because the game has slowed down for me," Roseboro said. "The big things I've focused on are technique and a faster tempo. I feel I have game-ready conditioning. I feel like I had a good spring, but there are things I need to work on." Roseboro said handling tempo comes down to being in shape and be- ing able to recognize when you are tired. He went on a nutritional plan and increased his discipline to lose the weight. "I haven't seen that weight in a long time," Roseboro said. "Being at 273 pounds is allowing me to play faster and be consistent." The former Rivals.com four-star prospect enrolled early in 2015 and battled a bout of homesickness. Adjusting to college and NC State took time because he had "a lot coming at him." "No matter what, you have to compete," Roseboro said. "You are entitled to nothing here. You have to work just like everybody else and just beat the next man out." Roseboro played in all 13 games last year, and accumulated 18 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, four sacks and one interception for a 20-yard touch - down against Syracuse. "Last year, I was inconsistent. I'd have a good game and then a bad game," Roseboro said. Roseboro had four tackles, two sacks and two passes broken up in the 35-17 win at Wake Forest Oct. 24, giving a glimpse of his potential. "Sometimes I'd be locked in and sometimes I'll fall off," Roseboro said. "A bad play would affect my game. It isn't about doing things just on talent." Roseboro learned from former NCSU standout Mike Rose and current junior defensive end Bradley Chubb. He also got the chance to battle his roommate every day in spring practice — redshirt freshman left tackle Emanuel McGirt. "It's fun, and we talk junk to each other every day," Roseboro said. "Right now, I have bragging rights, but he is really getting better and improving. He is helping me become a better player and getting me good looks." — Jacey Zembal ■ Preseason Analysis **** Among country's best; *** Among ACC's best; ** Solid or has potential; * Too unproven Starters *** Junior end Bradley Chubb and junior tackle B.J. Hill have proven themselves at the ACC level, and both junior end Kentavius Street and junior tackle Justin Jones are former four-star recruits who have shown flashes of their abilities. They are poised to join Chubb and Hill in forming a good defensive line, but the competition is also stiff, especially from sophomore end Darian Roseboro and senior tackle Monty Nelson. Experience *** There is a reason why NC State signed just one defensive line recruit in the 2016 class. They were returning a lot of players up front, many of who have played a considerable amount of snaps. In addition to the six defensive linemen listed above in the starters category, sopho - more Eurndraus Bryant received valuable reps as a true freshman tackle last fall. Depth *** The addition of some talented redshirt freshmen — Emmanuel Olenga, Tyrone Riley and James Smith-Williams — should solidify the rotation at defensive end. With a healthy Nelson and older Bryant, the defensive tackle group also goes at least four deep. Overall grade *** On paper, the linemen are the strength of the defense. There is a combination of talented veterans and promising youth that provides a deep unit with plenty of options for position coach Ryan Nielsen. Year-By-Year Sack Totals Year Sacks Yards 2015 32 175 2014 30 236 2013 20 115 2012 33 225 2011 38 242 2010 42 284 2009 24 159 2008 23 144 2007 27 177 2006 24 193 Last year as a true freshman, Roseboro notched 18 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and four sacks while seeing action in all 13 contests. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN