The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/699450
JULY 2016 ■ 95 FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 BY MATT CARTER E ach year, The Wolfpacker staff votes, using a criteria of players' abilities, coaches' com- ments and the team's needs for a successful season, to come up with a list of the top 25 players on the team. To nobody's surprise, the quarterback position tops the chart, although it is nameless since the starter will not likely be selected until shortly before the opener against William & Mary Sept. 1. Here is the preseason top 25, a list that will be re- visited after the 2016 season. Rk. Player Year Pos. 1. Quarterback Whether it's strong-armed redshirt sophomore Jalan McClendon, athletic redshirt freshman Jakobi Meyers or experienced redshirt junior Ryan Finley, someone has to direct first-year coordinator Eli Drinkwitz's offense. 2. Matthew Dayes Sr. RB While the quarterback will operate the offense, it is likely to run through Dayes first. He is hoping to become the Pack's first 1,000-yard rusher since T.A. McLendon in 2002. 3. Jaylen Samuels Jr. TE/FB Samuels has proven to be one the most versatile play- makers in the ACC, capable of beating defenses with his legs rushing or hands receiving. He will once again be a focal point of the offense. 4. Bradley Chubb Jr. DE In his first season at defensive end, Chubb nearly pulled off the rare feat of leading the Pack in tackles from the defensive line, finishing second. He will be counted upon to spearhead the pass rush this fall. 5. Tony Adams Jr. OG/C With three seniors from last year's offensive line gone, Adams becomes the leader up front. He started every game at right guard last season and could get a look at center if needed. 6. B.J. Hill Jr. DT The underrated nose tackle has been a solid force in the middle of the defensive line since his true freshman season and will help anchor the unit once again this year. 7. Nyheim Hines So. RB/WR/KR After showing off his speed in track this spring and sum- mer, Hines returns full-time to the gridiron with a versatile role. NC State will likely to try to get the ball in the dynamic playmaker's hands as frequently as possible. 8. Tyler Jones R-So. OL It is likely that Jones will find himself among the first five on the offensive line. That could be at left tackle, right tackle or perhaps even guard. He projects as one of the linchpins on the unit. 9. Airius Moore Jr. LB Moore was the Pack's leading tackler last fall, and he showed in the spring game when he intercepted a pass that he is continuing to progress as a defensive playmaker. 10. Joe Scelfo 5th-Sr. C The graduate transfer from South Alabama adds ex- tensive experience to the middle of the offensive line and should help offset the loss of three starters. It's noteworthy that Missouri and Nebraska also tried to get him. 11. Jack Tocho Sr. CB Fully healthy once again, Tocho hopes to follow in the footsteps of the recently departed Juston Burris. Burris was a multi-year starter (like Tocho) and put it all together last season, getting himself drafted in the fourth round by the New York Jets. Rk. Player Year Pos. 12. Jerod Fernandez R-Jr. LB Fernandez's production dipped last season, but he rededi- cated himself to the conditioning program this offseason and got in better shape, impressing defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Dave Huxtable. 13. Mike Stevens Jr. CB Did well enough last season to take over as a starter at corner when Tocho got injured. Looking to improve his technique and consistency this fall. 14. Jumichael Ramos Sr. WR Emerged as NC State's most reliable receiver last season, an impressive bounce back from his sophomore slump and a return to his promising freshman-year form. Rk. Player Year Pos. 15. Josh Jones R-Jr. S Like Fernandez, Jones was not effective last year like he was when he was a promising rookie, but he impressed coaches in the spring while teaming with new safety part- ner Shawn Boone, a junior. 16. Will Richardson R-So. OT Richardson rejoined the team in May after missing the spring semester. He held down the right tackle position for much of last season, and he may be counted upon to do so again this fall. 17. Dravious Wright Sr. NB Huxtable called Wright the hardest hitter on the defense, and with two years of experience playing nickel back he should be poised to end his career on a high note. 18. Justin Jones Jr. DT With classmate Kentavius Street moving to defensive end, Jones is in line to take over at defensive tackle next to Hill. Jones, when healthy, has flashed considerable potential. 19. Kentavius Street Jr. DE Defensive line coach and run game coordinator for defense Ryan Nielsen is hopeful that this will be Street's breakout season. Pound for pound, he is one of the best athletes on the team. 20. Shawn Boone Jr. S Defensive coaches rave about Boone's ability to quar- terback a defense from the secondary, and he has their confidence to line up players in the correct positions after reading the offense. 21. Cole Cook Jr. TE With the early departure of David J. Grinnage to the NFL, Cook takes over as the primary every-down tight end in the offense. Cook has always impressed with his blocking skills, but will look to become a bigger factor in the passing game. 22. Bra'Lon Cherry Sr. WR/PR Last season, Cherry broke out as a punt returner, emerging as one of the best in the ACC. He is also a threat as a receiver in space, and he could shine in the new offense. 23. A.J. Cole III So. P Cole had an im p IIressive rookie season booting punts. If he continues to progress, he could well be one of the best punters in the ACC and a weapon for the Pack in changing field position. 24. Stephen Louis R-So. WR If the spring game was an accurate indication, Louis could be the leading contender for breakout performer on offense. He redshirted last year to rehab from shoulder surgery, but has the physical tools to be a top receiver. 25. Darian Roseboro So. DE At times last season, Roseboro looked like a future star. Now he will try to become more consistent. He will be battle for a starting job, but at a minimum will be in the defensive end rotation. 2016 NC State Top 25 After catching just one pass during his soph- omore campaign, wide receiver Jumichael Ramos bounced back with 34 receptions for 457 yards and three scores as a junior. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN