The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/846301
122 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BY JACEY ZEMBAL T ennessee sophomore safety Stephen Grif- fin unofficially visited NC State April 1 for the Kay Yow Spring Game, and he knew in the days following he wanted to transfer and play for the Wolfpack. Griffin wanted a change in scenery prior to UT's spring practice. He looked into NC State and Charlotte, and considered Football Championship Subdivision programs West- ern Carolina and Eastern Kentucky in case he decided not to sit out a year. NC State formally announced his addition June 19. He'll redshirt in 2017 and have two seasons of eligibility remaining. Griffin's ver- satility could lead to opportunities at strong safety, free safety or perhaps nickel. He is open to playing different defensive positions, and might major in communications or inter- personal communications. "I just visited there and saw what they had going on," said Griffin, who is a Charlotte na- tive. "I had always liked NC State and it was close to home. That was a big deal. "It was a few days after the spring game before I knew that is where I wanted to go and the best fit." Griffin made the move to Raleigh June 22 and is looking back to get into the swing of things on the football field. Because he didn't do spring practices with Tennessee, he's had to stay in shape and workout on his own. The 6-2, 205-pounder had 13 tackles in 11 games for the Volunteers last year, and started at strong safety and made two tackles in a 45-34 loss against Vanderbilt in the regular- season finale. Getting the chance on the big stage in a rivalry game helped boost Griffin's confidence. "It was good to get that start," Griffin said. "I felt like I needed an opportunity to play because once I get into my rhythm, I feel like it is up to me. I can do what I've always done which is make plays. "That is a big-time game in Tennessee, so I was glad that was my first start." Griffin watched NC State's 41-17 win over Vanderbilt in the Independence Bowl in Shreveport, La. "It was definitely difficult to watch, but NC State did a good job against them," Grif- fin said. The former South Mecklenburg High standout knew what he was looking for in his second recruitment. He originally picked Tennessee over North Carolina and Clemson in 2015. His father, Steve, played for Clem- son from 1982-86. WOLFPACK FOOTBALL NC State Lands Tennessee Transfer Stephen Griffin Griffin earned a start against Vanderbilt during his sophomore season at Tennessee. He will have two years of eligibility left after redshirting in 2017. PHOTO COURTESY TENNESSEE MEDIA RELATIONS ■ Projected 2017 NC State Depth Chart OFFENSE Pos. No. Name Ht. Wt. Cl. QB 15 Ryan Finley 6-4 210 R-Jr. 2 Jalan McClendon 6-5 212 R-Jr. RB 7 Nyheim Hines 5-9 197 Jr. 25 Reggie Gallaspy II 5-11 225 Jr. 27 Dakwa Nichols 5-9 195 5th-Sr. FB 1 Jaylen Samuels 5-11 228 Sr. 29 Marquise Braxton 6-1 226 R-So. X 3 Kelvin Harmon 6-3 213 So. 85 Jumichael Ramos 6-2 200 5th-Sr. Z 12 Stephen Louis 6-2 217 R-Jr. 8 Maurice Trowell 5-11 196 R-Jr. S 30 Gavin Locklear 5-10 195 5th-Sr. 11 Jakobi Meyers 6-2 193 R-So. TE 48 Cole Cook 6-6 250 Sr. 42 Dylan Autenrieth 6-4 242 R-Fr. LT 53 Tyler Jones 6-3 300 R-Jr. 74 Emanuel McGirt Jr. 6-6 300 R-So. LG 70 Terronne Prescod 6-5 331 R-Jr. 76 Harrison Gee 6-3 301 R-Fr. C 65 Garrett Bradbury 6-3 300 R-Jr. 71 Joe Sculthorpe 6-3 307 R-Fr. RG 50 Tony Adams 6-2 315 Sr. 78 Aaron Wiltz 6-5 307 R-So. RT 54 Will Richardson 6-6 322 R-Jr. 67 Justin Witt 6-6 296 R-Fr. DEFENSE Pos. No. Name Ht. Wt. Cl. DE 9 Bradley Chubb 6-4 275 Sr. 95 Tyrone Riley 6-6 285 R-So. DT 27 Justin Jones 6-2 312 Sr. 91 Eurndraus Bryant 6-1 325 Jr. DT 98 B.J. Hill 6-4 315 Sr. 90 Ben "Shug" Frazier 6-3 316 R-Fr. DE 35 Kentavius Street 6-2 284 Sr. 45 Darian Roseboro 6-4 287 Jr. WLB 58 Airius Moore 6-0 237 Sr. 3 Germaine Pratt 6-3 235 R-Jr. MLB 4 Jerod Fernandez 6-0 227 5th-Sr. 32 Riley Nicholson 6-0 237 Jr. NIC 20 Trae Meadows 6-2 190 So. 10 Freddie Phillips Jr. 6-1 208 Jr. CB 21 Nick McCloud 6-1 190 So. 5 Johnathan Alston 6-0 210 5th-Sr. CB 2 Mike Stevens 5-11 190 Sr. 30 James Valdez 5-11 193 R-Fr. SS 24 Shawn Boone 5-10 206 Sr. 22 Isaiah Stallings 6-4 219 R-Fr. FS 31 Jarius Morehead 6-1 217 R-So. 14 Dexter Wright 6-2 232 R-Jr. X — Split end wide receiver Z — Flanker wide receiver S — Slot receiver Pos. No. Name Ht. Wt. Cl. K 38 Carson Wise 5-10 170 R-Jr. 92 Kyle Bambard 5-8 190 Jr. P 90 A.J. Cole III 6-4 230 Jr. Pos. No. Name Ht. Wt. Cl. LS 57 Tyler Griffiths 6-2 230 Jr. 50 Jackson Quiqqle 5-10 207 R-Fr. SPECIAL TEAMS