The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/73006
Family is why we do it all. end at NC State, but his sure hands and large frame made him a prolific receiving target, and he earned a spot in the discussion for the best tight end in school history. though, dates back to his redshirt freshman season in 2008 when he made a finger-tip catch with 1:12 left in the fourth quarter to tie the game against No. 15 East Carolina, forcing overtime. The Pack would knock off the Pirates in the first overtime, upsetting ECU. Final Analysis: Bryan was not the most athletic tight JUSTIN BYERS Defensive Back High School/Hometown: Vance High/Charlotte, N.C. Rivals.com Ranking: Three stars NC State Recruiter: Former running backs coach Dick Portee Career Summary: Byers was not a heavily recruited prospect. NC State was his only offer when he commit- ted in July before his senior season, and he maintained his pledge throughout the coaching transition. The biggest issue he faced at NC State was where He recorded 328 career tackles, including 202 solo hits, 32.5 for loss and 15 sacks. He added 18 quarterback hur- ries, eight forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, eight pass breakups and one interception. He finished his career tied for 12th with Pat Teague and David Merritt in career tackles at NC State, tied with Frank Bush for the 10th-most sacks, tied for third with Brian Jamison and Raymond Phillips for most forced fumbles and was 13th in career tackles for losses. Cole to the middle for 2011. Despite playing behind a defensive line decimated with injuries early in the year, Cole had at least 10 tackles in four of the first five games, including 16 in back-to-back contests against Cincinnati and Georgia Tech. Cole was chosen in the seventh round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. Career Stats: Cole played in 51 games and started 38. to play. Byers was the classic tweener in the secondary. Physically, he was more suited to play cornerback, but athletically may have been more natural at safety. Nevertheless, Byers made a quick impact for the Wolfpack. He started eight games as a redshirt freshman at safety and posted 50 tackles. He also broke up three passes and intercepted two more. Byers' playing time gradually decreased, though, to the John R Knott LUTCF, Agent 868 Country Club Road Rocky Mount, NC 27804 Bus: 252-443-6597 www.johnknott.net We all feel the same commitment to care for our families. Helping you meet your insurance needs is part of my commitment to you. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.® CALL ME TODAY. for Byers: starting his first career game, the 2008 season opener at South Carolina, or picking off a pass in that contest? Final Analysis: Byers' career was a mixed bag. The and had 98 tackles, 69 of them solo, seven pass breakups, two interceptions and a forced fumble. Highlight: The question is what was a bigger thrill point he did not even see the field as a senior. He started six games total as a sophomore and junior, trying stints at both safety and corner, but by the end of his junior year he played less than half as many snaps as he did as a redshirt freshman. Career Stats: Byers played in 36 games, starting 14, fact that he was a contributor and part-time starter for three years despite being a lightly recruited prospect could be viewed as a positive. However, his declining production and playing time after a promising rookie season may have been a disappointment. AUDIE COLE Linebacker High School/Hometown: Monroe High/Monroe, Mich. Rivals.com Ranking: Two stars NC State Recruiter: Offensive line coach Jim Bridge Career Summary: Cole came to NC State as a proj- Linebacker Audie Cole posted 328 career stops for the Wolfpack, a total that is tied for 12th on NC State's all-time tackles list. ect. He was primarily a quarterback in high school, but he had enough size, athleticism and toughness (he boxed in high school, as well) that State took a chance on him as a linebacker. After redshirting in 2007 and playing mainly special teams in 2008, Cole blossomed in the spring of 2009 and earned a surprising starting role that he never gave up for the next three years. Cole started all 38 games between 2009-11. He also PHOTO BY ERIC LUSK 0907504 State Farm, Bloomington, IL 106 ■ THE WOLFPACKER ended each season as the Wolfpack's leading tackler. Cole spent 2009 and 2010 at strongside linebacker, which has the difficult assignment of occasionally cover- ing the other team's slot receiver. Given the loss of star middle linebacker Nate Irving off the 2010 squad, the Wolfpack defensive coaches moved the 2007 class. The Pack took a chance on a recruit that was actually committed to play quarterback for Central Michigan and developed him into a three-year starter and NFL Draft pick at linebacker. time after he had just one assist on a tackle in the 2010 season-opening win over Western Carolina. So he made up for it by making 12 tackles, including 3.5 for loss and a sack, and one memorable interception on a reverse halfback pass in a 21-14 win in Orlando, Fla., over an eventual 11-win Central Florida team that finished the season No. 20 in the coaches poll. Rivals.com named Cole the ACC Player of the Week for that game, and he was also honored by the league as its Defensive Back of the Week. Final Analysis: Cole was a significant success story in Highlight: Cole joked that his family gave him a hard