The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/80446
Louisville without Johnson. He had three tackles, including a sack, and broke up one pass that evening. Johnson, a junior, saw a noticeable in- crease in snaps over the final four games in 2011 and produced. He had 16 tackles, including three sacks, and the one pass broken up during that span. Defensive co- ordinator Mike Archer made it a mission in the spring to find a way to get Johnson on the field more in State's stacked secondary, and the solution may be Johnson starting at cornerback while continuing his role as the nickel back. The 6-3, 190-pound Johnson would team with the 6-3, 194-pound junior David Am- erson to give the Pack one of the most imposing starting cornerback duos in the country. Defensive Tackle T.Y. McGill The plan was not to thrust McGill into a major role on the defensive line as a true freshman, but injuries forced NC State's hand. Fortunately for the Pack, McGill showed that he was capable of handling the duties. Last season, in 13 games he had 19 tack- les, including one for loss at Cincinnati. He also started a game. McGill, who played last year at more than 310 pounds but has slimmed down to a leaner and more muscu- lar 300 pounds this fall, impressed defen- sive line coach Keith Willis with his strong play in the spring. The highlight of McGill's spring was in the Kay Yow Spring Game, when Mc- Gill chased down the speedy and athletic redshirt junior tight end Asa Watson at the 1-yard line on the end of a 74-yard catch and run. McGill's effort and athleticism were on full display. If he can translate that consistently on the field this fall, he could develop into a mainstay on the Pack's de- fensive line for the foreseeable future. ■ Defensive tackle T.Y. McGill played in all 13 games last season, making one start, and he posted 19 tackles, including one for loss. 42 ■ THE WOLFPACKER PHOTO BY ERIC LUSK