The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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2012 FOOTBALL PREVIEW done some things well in a limited role, but there are areas that he needs to continue to grow at." Redshirt freshman Benson Browne and incoming freshman David Grinnage of New- ark, Del., round out the group. Both have good size, which is a tradition for NC State tight ends. Browne checks in at 6-5 and 246 pounds, while Grinnage is 6-5 and 230. "Benson is inexperienced obviously, but he also brings a unique set of skills," Bible said. "The quicker he learns and gets com- fortable with what the position is all about the quicker he is going to be somebody that is going to make an impact on the field." Watson has been able to watch the NC State tight ends during his redshirt year, and is encouraged by the abilities of Carter, Talbert and Browne. Watson knows the group might be a lit- tle unknown going into the season opener against Tennessee Aug. 31 in Atlanta, but they'll be motivated to navigate through the various changes. "George was a great tight end, and he definitely left a great legacy for the school, but now there is a lot of room for us to show what we are capable of," Watson said. "There will never be another George Bryan, but we'll have Mario Carter, Anthony Tal- bert, Asa Watson and Benson Browne. "We all have different strengths. We do have something to prove, and a lot of people don't have confidence in us." Watson praises Carter's perseverance through adversity. "Mario is resilient because he has had a lot of things not go his way in his career," Watson said. "I admire that about him. He keeps trying and keeps working. I wish the best for him." Talbert and Watson both arrived in the same recruiting class. Watson played as a true freshman due to injuries, but Talbert is ready to make his mark this season. "Anthony has grown a lot the last few years," Watson said. "He has great hands and huge hands. He's a good blocker, and he'll continue to grow." Browne is the young guy in the group, but was an accomplished basketball player while in high school. "He is full of potential, but has a long way to go. I think he'll blossom the next few years," Watson said. "I'm looking forward to seeing him develop." Having an accomplished passing quarter- back such as fifth-year senior Mike Glennon will also aid the tight ends. "He's good, and he's accurate," Watson said. "He definitely has a strong arm, and I've been working with him. He's getting even better, and this year will be a good year for him." ■ 56 ■ THE WOLFPACKER Browne, a redshirt freshman, did not start playing football until he was a junior in high school, but immediately caught the attention of college recruiters. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN hardwood shooting hoops rather than catching passes on the gridiron. "In high school I was definitely a basketball type of guy," Browne admitted, recollecting his days at Walnut Hills High in Cincinnati. During the summer before his junior season, at the urging of Walnut Hills football coach George Kontsis, Browne took some time away from AAU basketball to run some passing routes in preparation for football that fall. The 6-5, 240-pounder did not need a lot of convincing to try the sport out. Almost all of his friends played Not long ago you would have been more likely to find redshirt freshman tight end Benson Browne on the GETTING TO KNOW: Benson Browne football, and Kontsis assured Browne that with his athleticism he would have nothing to worry about at tight end. "I had no prior knowledge of football at all," Browne remembered. "I knew nothing about defense. I knew noth- ing about offense." He must have shown something that year, though, since shortly after his junior season Minnesota offered Browne a scholarship. "That set me on track to focus more on football for my senior year in high school," Browne said. "I realized I was good enough to hang with the big guys." Browne took official visits to Illinois, Louisville and NC State before eventually deciding on the Wolfpack. He tried to do his best to get into top shape for fall camp, but he admits he got a dose of reality while redshirting. "The redshirt year was actually pretty tough for me," Browne noted. "Going Division I means going against the best guys in the country. With the little bit of experience I had, it was tough adapting. I'm still learning now. "I got a pretty good grasp on the playbook, but for muscle memory, getting open on my routes, working my way through blocks, I need get better in those regards to be able to compete for playing time." Browne feels that he has improved his speed and done a good job maintaining his weight while adding some muscle with the help of new strength and conditioning coordinator Corey Edmond. He also knows that the tight end position is pretty stacked in front of him. Fifth-year senior Mario Carter caught nine passes for 84 yards and a touchdown last year as the backup tight end and is in line to start. Carter will, however, be challenged by redshirt junior Asa Watson, an athletically gifted tight end who sat out last season. Then there is redshirt junior Anthony Talbert, a fellow Cincinnati native who may be on the doorsteps of in- creased playing time after an impressive Kay Yow Spring Game. "For the fall, I am definitely trying to get out there on special teams," Browne said. "That's my ticket on the plane right now, and I'll just keep learning as a tight end. "My time will come." — Matt Carter