The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/846301
JULY 2017 ■ 101 FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2017 DEFENSIVE BACKS Morehead started for Boone when the latter was suspended for the first half of the Notre Dame game, due to a targeting penalty. Morehead responded with an interception and three tackles in 31 snaps. He finished with 13 stops and played a total of 92 plays, appearing on defense in eight contests. "In spring ball, it was Boone and Morehead running the ones," Henry said. "Morehead has that passion and fire. He is gifted athletically. Wherever the ball is at, he'll be around it." Wright, who is 6-2 and 232 pounds, is the biggest of the safeties. "He is like a hammer," Henry said. "Shawn Boone is probably my smartest guy, but Dexter is right behind him. Dexter is so smart that he'll overthink sometimes. "I tell him, 'If you are think- ing, you are stinking.' He has so much ability." Stevens hopes to continue a nice run of NC State cor- nerbacks who have reached the NFL. The Wolfpack have produced David Amerson, C.J. Wilson, Dontae Johnson, Juston Burris and Jack Tocho in recent years; all but Wilson were drafted. Stevens had 32 tackles, four passes broken up and one intercep- tion, which he returned 28 yards for a touchdown against Clem- son. The pick was the second of his NCSU career. "I think Mike is going to have a really big year," Barlow said. "His preparation is better than it has ever been. He sees those guys [pro players from NCSU] have been successful. "There has been a lot of success over the last four to six years at that position." McCloud represents the future for the Wolfpack. He was able to play 36 snaps off the bench in the win at North Carolina after Tocho was injured. He also filled in for Stevens in the win versus Vanderbilt in the Independence Bowl, making seven tackles and ■ Preseason Analysis **** Among country's best; *** Among ACC's best; ** Solid or has potential; * Too unproven Starters **½ Senior strong safety Shawn Boone and senior cornerback Mike Stevens are both returning starters, but new players will have to fill the roles at free safety and the other cornerback spot. The Wolfpack allowed 244.2 passing yards per game and picked off 10 passes (all but one by defensive backs) last year. Experience ** Boone and Stevens definitely have great experience, but sophomore cornerback Nick McCloud, redshirt sophomore safety Jarius Morehead and redshirt junior safety Dexter Wright have a combined two starts. Backup fifth-year senior cornerback Johnathan Alston has a lot of game experience, but it all came at wide receiver. Depth * NC State will be using this season to create depth. Wright or Morehead, Alston, sopho - more free safety Tim Kidd-Glass and one of the various young cornerbacks will all try to carve out a niche on the two deep. Overall grade **½ NC State has a mix of new and old, but McCloud, Morehead and Wright have been groomed for this season. The key could be McCloud, who will likely get challenged early on in the season. But if he proves himself capable, the secondary should come together. Safety Roster STARTERS No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 24 Shawn Boone Sr. 5-10 206 West Palm Beach, Fla. Stayed healthy and helped anchor the secondary last year. Notched at least seven tackles in five contests. 31 Jarius Morehead R-So. 6-1 217 Whitsett, N.C. Started against Notre Dame and came through with an interception and three tackles in 31 snaps. Had 13 tackles in 92 plays for the season. RESERVES No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 34 Tim Kidd-Glass So. 6-1 202 Danville, Va. Had two tackles in eight games, in which he primarily saw action on special teams. 14 Dexter Wright R-Jr. 6-2 232 Wilson, N.C. Proved to be one of the season's heroes when he recovered a blocked punt for the eventual game-winning touchdown in the win over Notre Dame. Missed the first three games due to injury, but finished with 10 tackles in 99 plays. WAITING IN THE WINGS No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 33 Dalton Counts Fr. 6-0 211 Raleigh Walk-on who attended Garner High last year, where he played free safety and outside linebacker. His father, Eric Counts, was a nose guard at NC State (1990-94) and played for the Buffalo Bills. 38 Will Dabbs R-Fr. 5-10 197 Eden, N.C. Walk-on who attended Morehead High and is the twin brother of wide receiver Tyler Dabbs. Played quarterback and linebacker in high school. 11 Stephen Griffin Jr. 6-2 205 Charlotte Transfer who will sit out the 2017 season played in 19 games with one start in his first two years at Tennessee. His father, Steve, was a running back at Clemson. 13 Stephen Morrison R-Jr. 5-11 201 Weddington, N.C. Walk-on who attended Weddington High and played wide receiver in the past. 22 Isaiah Stallings R-Fr. 6-4 219 Fayetteville, N.C. Redshirted last year and gained at least 14 pounds. Year-By-Year Interception Totals Year Int. Return Yards 2016 10 130 2015 13 77 2014 10 159 2013 12 146 2012 16 192 2011 27 381 2010 9 164 2009 8 65 2008 18 197 2007 10 58 Cornerback Roster STARTERS No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 21 Nick McCloud So. 6-1 190 Rock Hill, S.C. Was one of two true freshmen to play on defense last year, appearing in 11 games. Finished with 15 tackles in 184 plays. 2 Mike Stevens Sr. 5-11 190 Charlotte In his first three seasons, he has recorded 60 tackles, 11 passes broken up and two interceptions, including a pick-six against eventual national champion Clemson last year. Had three games of at least five tackles in 2016. RESERVES No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 5 Johnathan Alston 5th-Sr. 6-0 210 Bunn, N.C. Former wide receiver redshirted last year after moving to cornerback in the spring of 2016. Was considered a quality safety prospect coming out of Bunn High. 30 James Valdez R-Fr. 5-11 193 Orangeburg, S.C. Ranked as the No. 14 prospect in South Carolina's class of 2016. WAITING IN THE WINGS No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 19 Bryce Banks R-Fr. 6-2 192 Columbia, Mo. Redshirted last year at cornerback and also has history at nickel. 36 William Brown III R-So. 5-10 192 Raleigh Walk-on who attended Cardinal Gibbons High. 37 Vernon Grier R-So. 5-10 180 Charlotte Originally came to college as a wideout and played 11 offensive snaps in three games last year, but was switched to cornerback in the summer. 25 Chris Ingram Fr. 6-0 180 Mooresville, N.C. Rivals' No. 46 corner nationally has a chance to challenge for early playing time. 26 Nicholas Lacy 5th-Sr. 5-7 182 Pinehurst, N.C. Former walk-on was put on scholarship and played special teams in all 13 games last year.