The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/846301
JULY 2017 ■ 109 FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2017 No. Player Year Pos. 1. Jaylen Samuels Sr. H With Matthew Dayes gone, Samuels be- comes the undisputed focal point in the offense. With his versatility, he could be in line for a big season both catching and run- ning the football. 2. Bradley Chubb Sr. DE His return to NC State for his senior sea- son was the biggest recruiting coup of the offseason for head coach Dave Doeren. Chubb leads a defensive line that should be among the country's best, and he has a chance to push himself into first-round ter- ritory in next year's NFL Draft. 3. Ryan Finley R-Jr. QB This offseason, Finley worked to improve his running game, but it will be his ability to be a poised, accurate passer that will play a large role in dictating how well the offense moves the ball. 4. Nyheim Hines Jr. RB Hines is expected to take on a much larger role this fall, assuming more carries in the backfield to help replace Dayes and adding punt return duties with the loss of receiver Bra'Lon Cherry. He will continue to return kickoffs as well. 5. Airius Moore Sr. LB NC State's most consistent defensive per- former of the past two seasons, Moore will have the added benefit of having more depth behind him this season. 6. Tony Adams Sr. G/C The leader of the offensive line is a likely All-ACC candidate and about to enter his fourth year as a starter. 7. Mike Stevens Sr. CB The biggest question mark on the defense will be its secondary, and Stevens will play a key role in making sure that the number of big performances from opposing receivers in 2016 is reduced this fall. 8. Justin Jones Sr. DT The one-time four-star recruit helps anchor the middle of a stout defensive line as the three-technique tackle. His ability to get into the backfield and cause disruption is critical for the defense's success. 9. Stephen Louis R-Jr. WR Louis gave NC State big-play abilities last year in a breakout campaign after sit- ting out the 2015 season following shoul- der surgeries. In 2017, Louis will look to become an all-around go-to receiver for Finley. No. Player Year Pos. 10. Shawn Boone Sr. S Some have called Boone the captain of the secondary, and his steady play and leader- ship helped fellow safety Josh Jones have a big season in 2016 and be drafted in the second round by the Green Bay Packer this spring. 11. Jerod Fernandez R-Sr. LB A re-focused Fernandez rebounded from a disappointing redshirt sophomore year to be one of NC State's top tacklers in 2016. Like Moore, he should benefit from being fresher throughout the season due to im- proved depth at linebacker. 12. Darian Roseboro Jr. DE Although Roseboro is listed as a defensive end, he also adds versatility in being able to play along the interior of the line. Al- though technically not a starter, he plays just as much as one and is a big part of the defense. 13. B.J. Hill Sr. DT The soon-to-be four-year starter is the Pack's nose tackle, and like Jones plays an unheralded role in making the defensive line click. 14. Kentavius Street Sr. DE Street, the most-hyped member of the 2014 signing class, seemed to finally find his comfort zone last season. He is a candidate to have a breakthrough effort in 2017. 15. Kelvin Harmon So. WR Harmon was one of the revelations on the offense last season, and with his size and speed he has the potential to emerge as a top-level receiver in the ACC. He showed during his rookie year he could make dif- ficult catches against some of the confer- ence's best cornerbacks. No. Player Year Pos. 16. Tyler Jones R-Jr. OT Jones protected Finley's blindside last sea- son and did a solid job. He has the versatil- ity to play numerous spots on the offensive line. 17. Carson Wise R-Jr. K NC State fans do not need to be reminded of the kicking game struggles last season, and Wise, a graduate transfer from Carson- Newman, will be first in line to take over the place kicking duties in the fall. 18. Nick McCloud So. CB McCloud is the early favorite to replace departed starter Jack Tocho at the corner position opposite Stevens. 19. Garrett Bradbury R-Jr. G/C After stints at tight end and defensive tackle, Bradbury found a home as the start- ing guard on the offensive line a year ago. Now he could get a new spot: center. He is the leading candidate to replace honorable mention All-ACC honoree Joe Scelfo. 20. Cole Cook Sr. TE Cook may not impress much with his re- ceiving numbers, but his physicality in the blocking game and leadership on and off the field are invaluable for the Wolfpack offense. 21. Will Richardson R-Jr. OT Richardson is likely to be the starting right tackle for the third straight season. 22. Reggie Gallaspy II Jr. RB When healthy, Gallaspy is a physical, down- hill runner capable of breaking tackles and getting tough yards. He will likely see an increased role with the departure of Dayes. 23. Dexter Wright R-Jr. S Wright is one of the leading candidates to take over for Jones at safety. He has played a large role on special teams the past two seasons and has been groomed for the op- portunity, but he will also face competition from redshirt sophomore Jarius Morehead. 24. Germaine Pratt R-Jr. LB Pratt's move from safety to linebacker while redshirting last fall earned strong reviews during the spring to the point where he may even push for a starting job. At a mini- mum, he greatly boosts NCSU's depth at linebacker. 25. A.J. Cole III Jr. P Cole's booming punts will continue this fall, and with a stout defensive line, his abil- ity to pin kicks inside the 20 could help NC State consistently win field position battles. 2017 NC STATE TOP 25 Redshirt junior Germaine Pratt played his first two seasons at safety then redshirted last year after an April shoulder surgery. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN