The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/846301
92 ■ THE WOLFPACKER FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2017 DEFENSIVE LINE BY JACEY ZEMBAL N C State isn't a stranger to having a stacked defensive line. The 2005 Wolfpack featured Mario Williams and Manny Lawson at defensive end, and John McCargo, DeMarcus "Tank" Tyler and DeMario Pressley at defensive tackle. All five were eventually drafted, with Williams (No. 1 overall), Lawson (No. 22) and McCargo (No. 26) all going in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft. Tyler was chosen in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft, and Pressley went in the fifth round a year later. NC State hopes history repeats itself with its current group of defensive linemen, which spearheaded the team's 37-sack effort last year. First-year defensive line coach Kevin Patrick inherits a stacked group led by senior ends Bradley Chubb and Kentavius Street, and fourth-year defensive tackles Justin Jones and B.J. Hill. Junior defensive end Darian Roseboro has essentially played starter's snaps, plus some other younger defensive linemen have also shown promise and are expected to provide quality depth. Patrick might be a newcomer to the program — he has coached at South Florida and Texas Tech in recent years — but the for- mer Miami Hurricanes standout defensive end appreciates the group of linemen he has inher- ited. "The thing that has probably stood out to me is how great they are as people," Patrick said. "You can find great football players and great students. These are all great people. "Are they perfect? None of us are perfect, but they represent this school well, represent their STACKED An Experienced And Athletic Front Four Leads The Way For The Pack Senior defensive tackle B.J. Hill (blocking the kick) and classmate defensive end Bradley Chubb (No. 9) should push the NCSU defense to new heights this year. The duo combines for 260 career tackles, including 55 behind the line of scrimmage and 22 sacks. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN Year-By-Year Sack Totals Year Sacks Yards 2016 37 258 2015 32 175 2014 30 236 2013 20 115 2012 33 225 2011 38 242 2010 42 284 2009 24 159 2008 23 144 2007 27 177