The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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2012 FOOTBALL PREVIEW and athleticism helped set him apart in the prep ranks. "He understands what is expected of him and he understands how to do it physically," Bridge said. "His future is extremely bright. Rob needed to learn by doing. Watch out be- cause Rob Crisp is ready to explode." The 6-5, 293-pound Wallace entered the spring first string on the organizational chart. He started 12 games in 2010 before suffering his ACL tear during a pre-Champs Sports Bowl practice. He returned for part of the 2011 season, but played just eight plays in two games for the Wolfpack. Wallace's abil- ity to go through spring practices should give him added confidence when fall camp starts in August. "I would have loved to have spent more time with Andrew last year, but obviously the injury didn't allow us to do that," Bridge said. "Andrew has a tremendous desire to be successful. I know he is going to have a great senior season and prepare himself for what- ever the future holds. "The spring was really valuable because he needed to trust that he isn't hurt anymore. He is over the mental hump of not being injured anymore. Now it is time for him to continu- ously cut it loose. I want to see him play with technique and earn a job." Christophe filled in for Wallace last year and played through nagging injuries, which eventually knocked him out of playing in the Belk Bowl. The 6-6, 302-pounder gave up a sack in the season opener against Liberty, but then didn't allow another one during his 704-play season. "They [Wallace and Christophe] are the same person because they both started a year of football there," Bridge said. "Duran is an exceptionally long guy. When he continu- ously builds his strength and body, you'll see an exceptional football player." NC State's offensive linemen have prided themselves on being able to play multiple positions along the line if needed. It remains to be seen if a jack-of-all-trades type of player is needed to fill in. 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 The Wolfpack Line Year Per Game Behind YPG Rushing Yards 104.8 123.3 120.9 123.2 89.2 119.7 124.4 147.8 100.8 144.1 62 ■ THE WOLFPACKER ACC Rank 11 11 9 7 11 5 10 7 9 6 NC State junior Robert Crisp is poised to live up to his considerable prep hype this fall. Of all the current players on the Wolfpack roster, Crisp was the highest-ranked prospect coming out of high school. Rivals.com listed him as the No. 13 overall player in the country and the No. 2 offensive tackle — behind Seantrel Henderson, who ended up at Miami — in the class of 2010. Crisp, a one-time former basketball standout, morphed into an elite football prospect during his three years GETTING TO KNOW: Robert Crisp at Chapel Hill (N.C.) High and senior campaign at Raleigh Athens Drive. The jump to college football has been a steady progression for the 6-7, 312-pound right tackle. "I don't really try to think about myself, but just us as an offensive line unit," Crisp said. "It's not so much my time, but our time." Crisp has started three games in the past while filling in for teammates. He started at left tackle in the 2010 season opener against Western Carolina after Jake Vermiglio was suspended. Crisp allowed one sack in 62 plays during his first college foot- ball game. Crisp returned to being a reserve and sometimes played on special teams to accumulate 122 plays. Crisp alternated with senior right tackle Mikel Overgaard for the majority of last year, but his role grew in importance to- ward the end of the campaign. He started against both Boston College and Louisville in the Belk Bowl last season. The experience of recording 413 plays and not allowing a sack will be invaluable to Crisp going into the fall. "It's going to be a big responsibility this season," Crisp said. "In the first huddle, you have to have an impact the whole time. After learning from Mikel Overgaard and Jake Vermiglio the previous year, I have to bring the same intensity that they brought." sive line for NC State. Left tackle R.J. Mattes, left guard Andrew Wallace, center Camden Wentz and right guard Zach Allen are all seniors on the first string of the organizational depth chart. All but Wallace started last year, with Wallace a former starter who is working his way back from a past knee injury. "They treat me like one of the guys, but I am a younger guy so I have to keep the intensity going like the seniors," Crisp said. "They want the best for not only the team but for the offensive line. "R.J. has helped me since I've been here. Even on my recruiting visit during my senior year in high school, he was Crisp is considered one of the "younger" guys on the offen- 413 plays as a sophomore last season. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN Crisp alternated with senior Mikel Over- gaard at right tackle and saw action on my host. He's had my back ever since day one, and I really appreciate that." Crisp learned from Don Horton his freshman year, and Jim Bridge this past year when the two coaches swapped spots with Horton becoming the tight ends coach and Bridge taking over the line. "I just will play wherever the coaches want me to be," Crisp said. "If they want me back at left tackle, I'll bust my butt there. Right now, I'm trying to be perfect at right tackle." Another addition to NC State's coaching personnel has also made a difference. Crisp credits new strength and conditioning coach Corey Edmond for helping him improve for spring football. "I'm really trying to get stronger and get a lot of agility stuff down," said Crisp, who has fluctuated between 315 and 320 pounds. "I want to move defensive linemen away like we did last year. "We have a new strength program, so he's helping us get stronger and move guys off the ball. [Former strength and conditioning] coach [Todd] Rice worked us on flexibility to help you lift. Coach Edmond is: get jacked and get strong. He's about intensity, intensity, intensity." NC State opens the 2012 season against Tennessee at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. Playing an SEC opponent will help provide motivation during the offseason. "When you play an SEC team, you know you are getting the best," Crisp said. "Ever since our last game [against Louisville], we've had the mindset that we are playing Tennessee in the first game and we need to bust our butt in offseason workouts." — Jacey Zembal "We are deeper than we've been in years past," Bridge said. "Mikel [last year] had to be the backup everywhere because we weren't as deep. This year, Lord willing, that second unit has continued to develop." The reserves include the previously men- tioned Fordham, who can play center and guard, redshirt sophomore left tackle Tyson Chandler, redshirt freshman tackle Alex Barr, redshirt freshman center Joe Thuney, and redshirt sophomore right tackle Andy Jo- mantas, and they will all help provide depth. The class of 2012 also featured four offensive line signees. The next wave of Wolfpack linemen will be groomed to help replace the four seniors, and the addition of new strength and condi- tioning coach Corey Edmond has helped. "I believe our guys are stronger," Bridge said. "I don't have empirical data, but what I can see the guys are playing stronger. That will be invaluable." ■