The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/714462
SEPTEMBER 2016 ■ 41 WOLFPACK FOOTBALL ing and have had some really good days. We just have to keep stringing good days together and correct what we are messing up on." The former Charlotte (N.C.) Christian standout is a big Carolina Panthers fan, and watches left guard Andrew Norwell and right guard Trai Turner for anything he can glean. Bradbury knows that focusing on the of- fensive line can be a completely different way of watching a football game, compared to following where the ball goes from the quarterback to running backs, tight ends or wide receivers. "Since I moved to the offensive line, I have watched the O-line more," Bradbury said. "I was the same way in watching who makes the plays. With the O-line, there is no glory and you get the blame when things go wrong. You take pride in that. "The more you watch football, the more pride and respect you have for those guys that do their work." Bradbury was signed as a 240-pound tight end in the class of 2014. He's lost some of his speed after adding another 50 pounds, but if the Wolfpack need him to do some pulling or getting out on screens he's ready. "We could be pulling quite a bit," Brad- bury said. "I didn't have great tight end speed, but I'm decently athletic for the of- fensive line. Pulling is fun, just getting up in the hole and hitting a linebacker." — Jacey Zembal Linebacker Jerod Fernandez Returns Slimmed Down And Hungry For Success NC State redshirt junior middle linebacker Jerod Fernandez is a little sleeker this year. The listed 6-0, 224-pounder credits new NCSU strength and conditioning coach Dan- tonio Burnette with putting him in optimum shape for this season. "I lost bad weight and put on good weight, but I'm still around the same size at 225- 230 pounds," Fernandez said. "My body fat percentage went down about three percent to 16-17 percent. I'm feeling better and moving better." Fernandez started eight of 13 games last year, and accumulated 47 total stops, three tackles for loss and two interceptions, includ- ing one against North Carolina. His tackles were down from the 78 he totaled as a red- shirt freshman. "I needed to do it [reshape the body], and I wanted to do it," Fernandez said. "In order for me to be a better player and help this defense, I had to do it. I had to change my diet so I could move better." B N K BASS NIXON & KENNEDY INC., CONSULTING ENGINEERS 6310 CHAPEL HILL ROAD STE 250, RALEIGH, NC 27607 PHONE: (919) 851-4422 n FAX: (919) 851-8968 n www.BNKinc.com Bradbury, signed as a 240-pound tight end in the class of 2014, is now a 6-3, 297-pound redshirt sophomore and NC State's projected starting left guard. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN