The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/73006
2012 FOOTBALL PREVIEW Redshirt junior Anthony Talbert, who was known for his blocking when he arrived at NC State, earned praise for his receiving skills during the spring. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN (against Liberty) last year. He has overcome a pair of ACL tears in his knees since his senior year of high school and is poised to finish strongly. Carter has 12 catches for 109 yards and a score during his Wolfpack career. He had his best game against Boston College last year with three receptions for 43 yards in the 14- 10 road loss Nov. 12. "This is a very important year for Mario," Bible said. "He's had to overcome adversity through the course of the end of his high school career and also in his college career. That being said, he's got an opportunity to really help this offense and play to the talent and the skills he has. Year-By-Year Leading Tight End Receiver Year Name 2011 George Bryan 2010 George Bryan 2009 George Bryan 2008 Anthony Hill 2007 Marcus Stone 2006 Anthony Hill 2005 T.J. Williams 2004 T.J. Williams 2003 T.J. Williams 2002 Sean Berton Catches Yards 33 35 40 19 36 45 36 31 28 25 331 369 422 234 452 478 407 382 444 215 "I know he's looking forward to this sea- son, and we are also. Somebody needs to step in and step up, and assert himself at this position. Certainly Mario will get every op- portunity to do that." The 6-4, 254-pound Talbert has yet to catch a pass at NC State, while Watson has two receptions for 28 yards. The 6-4, 235-pound Watson redshirted last year and also underwent a pair of minor heart surger- ies prior to spring practice. Watson is the fastest of the group and showed his ability in the open field with a 74-yard reception to the one-yard line dur- ing the Kay Yow Spring Game last April. He also had an 86-yard touchdown during the 2010 spring game. "We're looking forward to Asa coming off the redshirt year," Bible said. "He's got some unique talents, and we anticipate tak- ing advantage of those talents. He is a vet- eran and an upperclassman now, and it's time for him to step up and assert himself." Talbert entered NC State known for his blocking on the prep level, but was able to earn praise for his pass-catching ability dur- ing the spring. "Anthony is somebody that still has to establish himself and find his role on this offense, and where exactly he fits as far as in our schemes at tight end," Bible said. "He's ||||||| QUICK FACTS Position Coach: Des Kitchings (1st season) tight end group No. 6 in the ACC … Fifth-year senior Mario Carter suffered a pair of knee injuries since his junior year at Charlotte Independence. He missed his senior season of high school and redshirted at NC State in 2008. He then injured his opposite knee in 2009 and missed the season … Redshirt freshman Benson Browne caught five passes for 65 yards and a touchdown in his senior year of high school, and hauled in eight receptions for 90 and two scores his junior year … Rivals. com rated Browne as a three-star prospect, while OhioVarsity.com considered him the third-best tight end in Ohio … Grinnage helped lead Newark (Del.) High to an 8-0 conference record and 12-1 state runner-up finish last fall … Grinnage caught 43 passes for 590 yards and six touchdowns his senior year, and added 71 tackles and two interceptions on defense … Rivals.com ranked Grinnage, who picked NC State over an offer from Delaware State and interest from Rutgers, as a two-star prospect and the No. 2 player in Delaware. Returning Starter: None Starter Lost: George Bryan (40 career starts) Projected Starter: Mario Carter (2) Top Reserves: Anthony Talbert and Asa Watson Waiting His Turn: Benson Browne Newcomer: David Grinnage Moved In: None Moved Out: None FYI: Athlon projected the Pack's wide receivers/ JULY 2012 ■ 55