The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/846301
100 ■ THE WOLFPACKER FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2017 DEFENSIVE BACKS BY JACEY ZEMBAL N C State can look at its secondary as half full or half empty, depending on the viewpoint. The Wolfpack returns senior strong safety Shawn Boone and senior cornerback Mike Stevens, but will have to break in new starters at the other two spots — which is never easy in a pass- happy conference such as the ACC. Redshirt sophomore Jarius Morehead likely has an edge on red- shirt junior Dexter Wright for the free safety position. Morehead made one start last year, while Wright played 45 snaps against Vanderbilt in the bowl game. The other cornerback spot will likely go to sophomore Nick McCloud, with the hope that fifth-year senior Johnathan Alston — a former wide receiver who redshirted last year — can provide a challenge. "We'll see who winds up being in there," cornerbacks coach George Barlow said. "We'll get them straight and that is part of the challenge. That is why I have coach in front of my name." Boone anchors the secondary and enjoyed his first fully healthy season starting for NC State in 2016. He had 67 tackles, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble, but is still seeking his first career interception. "I think he'll be a special player for us," first-year NCSU safeties coach Aaron Henry said. "He puts himself in position to make a ton of plays. He is like a coach on the field because he is so smart." NEXT MAN UP NC State Must Break In Two New Starters In The Secondary Senior Mike Stevens has started 22 games at cornerback over the past two years, snared a pair of interceptions, including a 28-yard pick-six at eventual national champion Clemson in 2016, and broken up 11 more passes. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN