The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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2012 FOOTBALL PREVIEW the Wolfpack passing game. Underwood was part of the Wolfpack's wide receiver rotation last year, catching 16 passes for 226 yards and two touchdowns. He made his one start a memorable one when he snagged three catches for 125 yards and a pair of touchdowns in NC State's 28-14 win at Virginia. Underwood got the start after Tobais Palmer suffered a concussion during pregame warm-ups, plus T.J. Graham NC State redshirt sophomore wide receiver Bryan Underwood has a golden opportunity to create his mark in GETTING TO KNOW: Bryan Underwood had a first-half suspension. The 5-11, 174-pounder showed off his speed with a 79-yard touchdown reception after previously catching a 33-yard score from quarterback Mike Glennon. Underwood looks back fondly on the Virginia win and hopes to create more special moments next fall. "There was a lot of big memories like scoring my first touchdown, and I set a freshman record for longest touchdown," Underwood said. "I'm trying to build from it and keep on staying positive. I'm trying to learn from what I did." Underwood has watched the UVa game it's finally his time. I feel like he's work- ing hard." Payton and Morgan are easily the biggest receivers for NC State, which can also pay off in run blocking. The former entered the spring first string on the Wolfpack's orga- nizational chart. "Quintin will have a big role for us this season," Bible said. "He's a big, strong re- ceiver, and is a very versatile, very physical player. He will play and be an important part for us this season in many roles." Smith split duties at cornerback and wide more than a few times during this offseason. He also tries to check out Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson to learn some new tricks of the trade. "I want to learn anything I can to get bet- ter," Underwood said. "I try to steal the rou- tines that DeSean Jackson does. I'll also see what guys who are bigger than me are doing. I'm trying to put everything I've seen into one." favorably to two recent Wolfpack wide receiv- ers at the same stage. Owen Spencer caught five passes for 73 Underwood's freshman numbers compare yards in five games during his freshman year, before emerging to haul in 31 receptions for 691 and five scores as a sophomore. Graham caught 16 passes for 251 yards his true freshman season, but also made his mark in the return game. Graham broke out his se- nior year at wide receiver with 46 receptions for 757 yards and seven scores. Underwood will be trying to fill the void receiver last year, and even played both po- sitions in three games. He also played both positions in the Kay Yow Spring Game last April. little short in the experience department, and we'll work hard and we'll overcome that. We'll be ready to go." ■ Offensive coordinator Dana Bible think this is a very talented, extremely fast group of receivers. We might be a "We like this group. We Smith also has experience returning kick- created by the departures of Graham, and fellow pass catchers Jay Smith and Steven Howard. "I'm real comfortable," Underwood said. "I've taken all of the previous two years to learn the playbook. I'm just getting ready for when I have to step up, and this year it looks like I will have to. "If you don't see anybody doing it [stepping Underwood notched 16 receptions for 226 yards and two touchdowns during his redshirt freshman cam- paign last year. up] or even if you see someone else doing it, you want to match it. You always want to come out with a positive mindset." Head coach Tom O'Brien pointed out Un- PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN learn," Underwood said. "I'm looking at past film and studying, and trying to get better in practice." Underwood is on the second string behind junior Quintin Payton on the spring organizational chart. He admits derwood on a few occasions this spring as someone who has improved since the fall. "I'm just taking every day and trying to there is a unique feeling about being the starter compared to being a part of the receiver rotation off the bench. "It's a big difference," Underwood said. "I started in the Virginia game, so that was a new feeling for that game. I'm just trying to build on what I had in that Virginia game, and put it out there this year." Underwood, Palmer and fifth-year senior cornerback C.J. Wilson joined the Wolfpack men's track and field team during the indoor season. Underwood participated in six indoor track meets in the 60-meter dash, and also ran the 200 once. He recorded a 6.99-second mark — his top time — to finish 12th at the JDL Fast Track meet Feb. 11 in Winston-Salem, N.C. "Track has gotten me conditioned before spring ball," Underwood said. "I got a little bit of my speed back. I know it's going to help me out in the long run if I run track." Palmer had the fastest time out of the three football players with a 6.88 in the 60. "I have to give it up to Tobais," Underwood said. "Tobais right now has the upper hand." 50 ■ THE WOLFPACKER — Jacey Zembal offs and punt returns, and played quarter- back on the prep level. Bible said Smith will be a full-time wide receiver from now on. "We really look forward to him being with us right from the start and for the long haul," Bible said. "He brings his own unique set of skills to the position. We ex- pect that he'll be very productive for us this season. We're still learning about him, and he's still learning the position, but he's a quick study. "We believe that he's somebody that will be making a lot of plays for us this year." Morgan checks in at 6-2 and 225 pounds, which is the heaviest of the receivers, and Flowers possesses good leaping ability A Decade Of Wolfpack Reception Leaders Year Name 2011 T.J. Graham 2010 Owen Spencer 2009 Jarvis Williams 2008 Owen Spencer 2007 John Dunlap 2006 Anthony Hill 2005 T.J. Williams 2004 T.J. Williams 2003 Jerricho Cotchery 2002 Jerricho Cotchery Catches Yards 46 60 45 31 45 45 36 31 86 67 1,369 1,192 757 912 547 691 375 478 407 382