The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/699450
92 ■ THE WOLFPACKER FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 ■ Preseason Analysis **** Among country's best; *** Among ACC's best; ** Solid or has potential; * Too unproven Starters *** NC State returns everyone of note on special teams, including returning leading tackler and senior safety Josh Sessoms, who had nine special teams stops. Sophomore kicker Kyle Bambard and fifth-year senior Connor Haskins will battle for the starting kicking job. Sophomore punter A.J. Cole, sophomore long snapper Tyler Griffiths, sophomore kick returner Nyheim Hines and senior punt returner Bra'Lon Cherry are all well established in their roles. Experience *** NC State went from not having anyone proven going into the 2015 season, to now having experience at kicker, punter, long snapper and in the return game. Adding Haskins as a graduate transfer adds to the experience. Hines and Cherry are among the best returners in the country. Depth * The kicker battle between Bambard and Haskins, will provide an experienced reserve, and redshirt sophomore Jackson Maples is another kicking option after doing a good job on kickoffs last year. NC State will use fall camp to sort out the depth chart. Redshirt sophomore Maurice Trowell and redshirt freshman Brian Sessoms are pos - sible options in the return game if needed. Overall grade *** NC State will need to sort through the kicking situation, but Cole, Hines and Cherry should challenge for All-ACC honors. Hines and Cherry not only both scored touch- downs in the return game, both also flirted with getting multiple touchdowns. Cole proved to be adept at landing the football inside the 20-yard line and could go to another level this season. Last year, senior Bra'Lon Cherry averaged 13.3 yards per punt return and brought one back 52 yards for a score at Wake Forest. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN Special Teams Roster STARTERS No. Name Pos. Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 92 Kyle Bambard K So. 5-8 190 Walled Lake, Mich. Signed in the class of 2014 and delayed his enrollment to the 2015 spring semester. Had a bumpy first year, making 7 of 14 field goals with a long of 37, and connecting on 54 of 56 on extra points. Missed this past spring with an injury and will be competing with graduate transfer Connor Haskins. 90 A.J. Cole III P So. 6-4 230 College Park, Ga. Signed with NC State in the class of 2014, and delayed his enrollment until the 2015 spring semester. Averaged 41.7 yards on 66 punts last year, landing 28 inside the 20-yard line with 26 fair catches. 57 Tyler Griffiths LS So. 6-2 230 Monroe, N.C. Handled the long snapping, which included 14 field goal attempts, 67 punts and 57 extra point attempts. Averaged 0.68 seconds on his punting snaps. WAITING IN THE WINGS No. Name Pos. Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 96 Connor Haskins K R-Sr. 5-8 176 Lumberton, N.C. Used his first three years of eligibility at North Carolina Pembroke, but did not play last year. Was 38 of 53 on field goals with a long of 50, and nailed 91 of 96 extra points. Made a 42-yard field goal and five extra points in the 2016 Kay Yow Spring Game. 97 Jackson Maples K R-So. 5-10 195 Southern Pines, N.C. Former preferred walk-on recruit emerged as a kickoff specialist last year. Had 39 touchbacks on 73 kickoffs, and four went out of bounds. Also made an extra point. 93 Tanner McCarthy K R-So. 5-8 182 Wilson, N.C. The walk-on from Fike High joins the Wolfpack this season.