The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/846301
82 ■ THE WOLFPACKER FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2017 BY MATT CARTER T he strength of this year's Wolf- pack team is unquestioned: a talented, deep defensive line bolstered by the return of senior defensive end Bradley Chubb, who flirted with the possibility of leaving school early for the NFL. It may have been too difficult for Chubb to leave the brotherhood he has formed with those at the position, particularly his three fellow senior defensive linemen. Defensive line coach Kevin Patrick, hired in February, was quick to notice the easy rapport between his veterans. "The bond between those guys is unbe- lievable," he noted. "They know what's in front of them, and they are not big-headed about it either. It's a great group of guys. They know the best defensive line to ever come out of here was back in the Mario [Williams] days. … They want to be one of the best defensive lines ever here at NC State, so they talk about that a good bit." Chubb is the fiery one, B.J. Hill is the se- rious one. Justin Jones is the light-hearted one, Kentavius Street is the reserved one. The four came to NC State together and are poised to leave as one of the best defensive lines in school history. The group has not gone unnoticed around the college football landscape. NC State's opposing head coach in the season opener, Will Muschamp of South Carolina, has already said that the Pack's front will be the best that the Gamecocks, of the SEC, will face all season. College football analyst Cole Cubelic of the SEC Network rated NC State's front the fifth best in all of college football. High expectations can sometimes be tough to meet, but this group is determined to live up to them. The four, whom Jones has nicknamed "Mayhem," sat down with The Wolfpacker to discuss a wide range of topics: Four years ago when you first arrived together at NC State, where did you think you would be going into this season? Bradley Chubb: "I didn't really know where it would take all of us. When I came in, I was a linebacker. Justin and Kentavius were my roommates at the time, so I was around them every day. I definitely saw us being successful, but I didn't see all the notoriety that we are getting now." Justin Jones: "I was just trying to play and graduate." B.J. Hill: "I felt coming in that our class MAYHEM NC State's Group Of Four Senior Defensive Linemen Are Ready To Dominate NC State's four senior defensive linemen (from left to right: Bradley Chubb, Justin Jones, B.J. Hill and Kentavius Street) combined for 170 tackles, 40 tackles for loss, 20 sacks and four forced fumbles last year. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN