The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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2012 FOOTBALL PREVIEW games en route to 113 on the season. With the team's losses at linebacker, Wolff — whom Wolfpack head coach Tom O'Brien called the "heart of the defense" — will be counted on to help prevent big gains on the ground. 4. OL R.J. Mattes Mattes moved to left tackle last season, protecting Glennon's blindside. He gave up three sacks in the first four games, but after that gave up just one the rest of the season. That came against UNC when Mattes had to come out of the game after just nine snaps because of an ankle injury. The following week, Mattes' importance was felt. He sat out the first half at Boston College, and NC State had just five first downs and 88 total yards. Mattes played the entire second half, and State posted nine first downs and 179 yards of offense with him in the game. 5. C Camden Wentz Wentz, a senior, has started 26 straight games at center, and in that span he has al- lowed just one sack. He received votes last year for All-ACC and figures to rank among the conference's top centers in 2012. Wentz took the second-most snaps of anyone on the team in 2010, and had it not been for an ankle injury in the Belk Bowl that limited him to 12 plays in that contest, he would have challenged right guard Zach Allen for the most in 2011. 6. RB James Washington The senior came within striking distance of being NC State's first 1,000-yard rusher since T.A. McLendon in 2002. Washing- ton ran 227 times for 897 yards and seven touchdowns last year. He was also a factor in the passing game, catching 42 passes for 315 yards. Washington, who ran for more than 100 yards in a game three times last year, is the leading contender heading into preseason camp to be the feature back in the offense. 7. DE Art Norman The redshirt sophomore may not start with senior Brian Slay and redshirt junior Darryl Cato-Bishop atop the depth chart at the defensive end positions, but Norman flashed the potential to be a premier pass rusher in the ACC last year. Given the un- certainty at linebacker, the more pressure Norman and his fellow defensive linemen can get on the quarterback themselves, the better. Norman had team highs of seven sacks and 30 quarterback hurries in 2011. 8. WR Tobais Palmer Somebody has to catch the passes from Glennon, and the leading contender to be his favorite target is Palmer, a fifth-year senior. Palmer is a playmaker with speed. He caught 37 passes for 496 yards and five touchdowns last year in his first full season playing receiver. His 43-yard catch-and-run touchdown against Clem- son ranked among the top highlights for NC State from the 2011 season. 9. S Brandan Bishop Amerson's 13 interceptions overshad- owed the fact that Bishop had an impres- sive five picks last year. He also had four in 2010 and has established himself as a ball-hawking safety. Bishop has started 33 games over the past three years and is likely to conclude his career as a four-year starter. He needs one more pick to move into sixth on the all-time list at NC State. 10. LB Sterling Lucas The biggest question mark on the team entering the 2012 season is at linebacker, where State will be without its top four contributors from the 2011 campaign. Lu- cas represents State's most experienced option. He has two career starts and 86 tackles to his credit. He is also a coach on the field, according to O'Brien, which should help stabilize the linebacker corps. 11. OT Rob Crisp The junior is expected to become a full- time starter for the first time in 2012, but he is also arguably the most talented player on State's offensive line. He did not allow a sack in 2011 and saw his playing time gradually increase throughout the season, ending with his second career start in the Belk Bowl against Louisville. Crisp was rated a five-star recruit in the 2010 class by Rivals.com. 12. DE Darryl Cato-Bishop In his first year as a starter, Cato-Bishop posted solid numbers. He had 26 tackles, including five sacks, and 11 quarterback hurries. He also forced a fumble and had the game-clinching interception against UNC. Athletically, the redshirt junior could be one of the most gifted players on State's defensive line. 13. DE Brian Slay Slay, a senior, was a stabilizing force Redshirt sophomore defensive end Art Norman produced twice as many quarterback pressures (30) as any other Pack defender in 2011, making him a crucial component in the team's pass rush. PHOTO BY ERIC LUSK on the defensive line last season. When starting defensive tackle J.R. Sweezy went down in the preseason with a broken foot, JULY 2012 ■ 93