The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/846301
JULY 2017 ■ 71 FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2017 TIGHT ENDS BY MATT CARTER B etween seniors Jaylen Samuels and Cole Cook, tight ends/ fullbacks coach and special teams coordinator Eddie Faulkner is in a good place. It is a season he has been look- ing forward to, even as Samuels may have entertained the idea of turning pro following his junior campaign. "I wasn't worried," Faulkner said. "I have a really good relation- ship with his family and parents. They weren't thinking about that. "I think they filed paper work and did some things to see where he stood, which is fine, but there never was a single inkling he would leave." With Samuels sticking around, Faulkner has two players with diverging games that com- bine to form a complete tight end position: Samu- els is the dynamic threat with the ball in hands, while Cook is a superior blocker at the point of at- tack with the athleticism to occasionally test the de- fense himself. And both have extensive playing experience, com- bining to play 77 games and start 37. Unquestionably, Samu- els headlines the position. He enters his senior season poised to write his name all over the record books at NC State. He has 126 career receptions for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns, plus 104 rushing attempts for 700 yards and 16 scores. Samuels is already tied for fifth in career touchdown receptions and tied for 17th in scoring runs. His career average of 6.7 yards per carry would, by more than a full yard, top the school record if he qualifies (minimum is 200 carries). His average of 8.73 yards per play, which includes his 59-yard touchdown toss at UNC on a trick play, would better former quarterback Philip Rivers' career mark of 6.92 yards per play. The highest non-quarterback average at NCSU was running back Anthony Barbour's 5.60 yards. "He is a special player, and I've said that from when he showed up," Faulkner said. "He is really working hard this summer, more than he ever has — not that it was bad before. He knows this is his last go-around here. He is taking that serious and that is refreshing to see. "A healthy, focused, in-shape J-Sam is scary for other teams that we have to play. I'm really excited about that. I've never coached a person like him. You'd be hard-pressed to coach another one like him. He does so many things well." Yet while Samuels grabs the headlines as the focal point of the offense, Cook quietly goes about his business. His receiving num- bers are modest — 10 career catches for 110 yards and a score — but Faulkner said his value as a blocker is immeasurable. The coach noted that Cook had a lot of games last season grading out in the 90s on his blocking assignments. "Cole Cook is the guy in this offense that stirs the drink," Faulkner said. "You don't see it because he is not J-Sam on the ■ By The Numbers 1 Reception needed by senior Jaylen Samuels to pass George Bryan for the most by a tight end at NC State. Bryan and Samuels both have 126. 2 100-yard receiving games for Samuels in 2016, the first two of his career. He caught eight passes for 100 yards at eventual national champion Clemson, and hauled in six passes for 104 yards and three scores in the Camping World Indepen- dence Bowl win over Vanderbilt. 8 Contests that Samuels has scored at least two touchdowns. Five came during his sophomore season and three last fall. Three times he has both rushed for and caught a score in a game. Year-By-Year Leading Receiver At Tight End Year Name Catches Yards 2016 Jaylen Samuels 55 565 2015 Jaylen Samuels 65 597 2014 David J. Grinnage 27 358 2013 David J. Grinnage 15 150 2012 Mario Carter 34 367 2011 George Bryan 33 331 2010 George Bryan 35 369 2009 George Bryan 40 422 2008 Anthony Hill 19 234 2007 Marcus Stone 36 452 Tight End Roster STARTERS No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 48 Cole Cook Sr. 6-6 250 Carrollton, Ga. Highly valued for his leadership and blocking abilities. Is one of the best blockers on the team and was a team captain a year ago. 1 Jaylen Samuels Sr. 5-11 228 Charlotte Was first-team All-ACC as a sophomore and plays the H-back role in the offense. Caught a team-best 55 passes for 565 yards and seven touchdowns last year and also ran for six scores. RESERVES No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 42 Dylan Autenrieth R-Fr. 6-4 242 Dallas, Ga. Caught 41 passes for 407 yards and five scores his senior year at North Paulding High. Position coach Eddie Faulkner said that Autenrieth will "be a good one." 47 Damien Darden Fr. 6-3 250 Pikeville, N.C. Hauled in 27 receptions for 384 yards and five touchdowns as a senior at C.B. Aycock High, and then enrolled early. "In my opinion, we got a huge steal with Damien," Faulkner added. WAITING IN THE WINGS No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 88 Adam Boselli Fr. 6-5 220 Ponte Vedra, Fla. Son of former NFL All-Pro offensive tackle Tony Boselli caught 41 passes for 736 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior at Episcopal School, and was named a second-team All-American by MaxPreps for small schools. 29 Marquise Braxton R-So. 6-1 226 Greenville, N.C. Walk-on played at Rose High and could end up backing up Samuels at the H-back spot. 46 Logan DeBoer R-Fr. 6-1 230 Pittsburgh, Pa. Walk-on played at a prep year at Fork Union (Va.) Military Academy.. 28 Dylan Parham R-Fr. 6-4 224 Raleigh Product of nearby Southeast Raleigh High moved from quarterback to tight end after the spring. 89 Thomas Ruocchio R-Fr. 6-3 245 Raleigh Walk-on who played at Raleigh Cardinal Gibbons. ■ Preseason Analysis **** Among country's best; *** Among ACC's best; ** Solid or has potential; * Too unproven Starters **** Senior Jaylen Samuels is an All-America candidate, and his classmate Cole Cook is one of the best blocking tight ends in the country. The two are integral parts of NC State's offensive success. Experience ***½ Between the starters, NC State has as much experience as anyone in the country, but the depth behind the two — who are often times on the field together — is made up entirely of newcomers. Depth *½ Redshirt freshman Dylan Autenrieth and freshman Damien Darden, an early enrollee, excited position coach Eddie Faulkner in the spring and appear to have promising fu - tures, but neither has played a snap of college football. Overall grade **** Most college football teams across the country would be happy to field a tight end roster of Samuels and Cook, and call it a day. While the depth has question marks, pro- vided the senior duo stays healthy NC State has time to groom the newcomers.