The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/846301
96 ■ THE WOLFPACKER FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2017 LINEBACKERS BY JACEY ZEMBAL N C State has enough depth at linebacker to finally have a rota- tion at the two inside spots, but the nickel position is a work in progress. Fifth-year senior middle linebacker Jerod Fernandez and senior weakside linebacker Airius Moore have made 30 starts apiece and are almost equal in career tackles, with Fernandez notching 213 and Moore right behind him with 200. The hope is that with three years under their belts, the duo will play their best football in their final seasons. What is encouraging is that the depth behind Moore and Fernandez has finally reached the point where a rotation could be formed, if needed. Redshirt junior Germaine Pratt has emerged as a legit contender for Moore's spot, and the Wolfpack are hopeful that junior middle MULTIPLE OPTIONS Veterans Jerod Fernandez And Airius Moore Lead A Deep Group Fernandez, a fifth-year senior with 30 career starts to his credit, finished second on the team with 88 tackles (4.5 for loss) in 2016. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN