The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/85079
J.J. JONES bench presses 205 pounds … Reportedly has a 38-inch verti- cal leap. Lithonia, Ga./Martin Luther King High • 6-4 • 190 Pounds Measurables: Runs the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds and Safety and the No. 58 player in Georgia by Rivals.com … Ranked as a three-star player, the No. 28 safety in the country and No. 66 recruit from the Peach State by ESPN … Listed as the No. 74 player in the state by SuperPrep … Regarded by 247Sports as a two-star recruit, the No. 160 player in Georgia and the No. 175 safety in the country … Called a two-star prospect by Scout.com. Stats: Had 51 tackles, including 33 solo, and recorded one Honors/accomplishments: Rated a three-star prospect interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery for a touchdown as a senior, helping MLK to a 12-1 record and a spot in the quarterfinals of the Class AAAAA state playoffs. Off the field: Also a standout basketball player and com- petes in track in long distance races. Quotable: "Jones is a lanky, rangy athlete with very good 2012 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE TYLER KNOX His first love had been basketball, and it was not until 2011 that he became serious about football. An impressive highlight tape earned offers from Maryland, NC State and West Virginia. He visited NC State for the Clemson game Nov. 19 and committed days later on Thanksgiving. State had to withstand a late official visit to Kentucky the final weekend before signing day to land Jones' letter of intent. Recruiter of record: Defensive backs coach Mike Reed. Scouting report: Jones is raw, but he has all the tools to be a promising prospect. He has great size for a safety, size and speed and is also a candidate to end up at outside linebacker in time. He's instinctive and is a natural playmaker. He's at his best right now when cheated up near the line of scrimmage." — ESPN. Recruitment: Jones was an unknown before the season when he verbally committed to Middle Tennessee State. a preference for this defensive staff, and is a good athlete. 2012 projection: NC State has good depth at safety, with both starters and all the reserves returning, so Jones is most likely a strong candidate to redshirt this fall. BRYCE KENNEDY the shuttle in 4.8 seconds … Has a 21-inch vertical leap … Bench presses 365 pounds. Honors/accomplishments: Rated by Rivals.com as a three-star Measurements: Runs the 40-yard dash in 5.1 seconds and Southern Pines, N.C./Pinecrest High • 6-3 • 280 Pounds Offensive Lineman nedy's most noted attribute is his above-average athleticism for a lineman, which is why he could be best suited for offensive guard. Like most high school linemen, he will need to get bigger and stronger. 2012 projection: Offensive linemen very rarely play as true freshmen, and after losing just one senior from the 2011 line, NC State is likely to redshirt Kennedy. offensive linemen, he shifted his focus to NC State and UNC. Kennedy initially committed to UNC, but after the coaching change in Chapel Hill he began to have second thoughts. He switched his pledge to NC State Dec. 27, and then resisted a last-minute pitch from new Heels coach Larry Fedora to enroll early at State. Recruiter of record: Offensive line coach Jim Bridge. Scouting report: Kennedy played offensive tackle for Pinecrest, but he's likely an interior line prospect. Ken- played football at UNC and professionally for the San Diego Chargers. Quotable: "Kennedy demonstrates the initial quickness and playing strength necessary to establish an immediate advantage when run blocking. Although he plays offensive tackle efficiently we feel his size and athleticism are best suited for the offensive guard position at the major level of competition." — ESPN. Recruitment: Kennedy favored South Carolina early in the process, but when the Gamecocks filled up on NCPreps.com … Two-time all-conference selection … Named All-Cape Fear Region as a senior. Off the field: Graduated early from high school and enrolled at NC State in January … Cousin Cam Thomas prospect, the No. 22 recruit from North Carolina and the No. 26 guard in the nation … Listed by ESPN as a three-star recruit, the No. 22 player in North Carolina and the No. 44 offensive guard in the country … Rated the No. 22 recruit in the state by SuperPrep and the Charlotte Observer … Ranked as a three-star prospect, the No. 18 player in N.C. and No. 56 offensive tackle nationally by 247Sports … Called a three-star prospect and the 55th-best offensive guard in the class by Scout.com … Played in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas All- Star Game, where he was limited after injuring his shoulder during practice … Named first team all-state and first-team 4-A all-state by onds … Bench presses 275 pounds and squats 350 pounds. Honors/accomplishments: Listed by Rivals.com Myrtle Beach (S.C.) High • 6-4 • 225 Pounds Measurables: Runs the 40-yard dash in 4.6 sec- Defensive End as the No. 32 weakside defensive end nationally, the No. 7 player from South Carolina and a three-star prospect … Also ranked as the No. 7 player in the state by the Charlotte Observer … Rated a three-star recruit, the No. 49 defensive end in the country and the No. 14 player from the state by ESPN … Called a four-star prospect by Tom Lemming … Ranked as a three-star prospect, the No. 22 player in South Caro- lina and the No. 61 strongside defensive end nationally by 247Sports … Regarded as a three-star prospect and the No. 119 defensive end in the country by Scout.com … Picked as the No. 20 player in the state by SuperPrep … Was named defensive MVP for the South squad in the South Carolina Automobile Deal- ers Association North-South All-Star game after mak- ing nine tackles, including three for loss … Selected second-team all-state by SCPrepNation.com. Stats: Made 70 tackles and seven sacks as a senior field. He is a kid who displays a good motor and is active versus the run and pass. radar for much of the process because he rarely did interviews, but he committed to NC State over Ken- tucky Oct. 23 at the homecoming game for Myrtle Beach High. Kentucky did not stop recruiting Knox, but he remained firm to the Pack throughout the process. Recruiter of record: Former running backs coach Recruitment: Knox's recruitment flew under the " — ESPN. Everette Sands. Scouting report: Knox is a long-armed defensive prospects to sign with NC State in the 2012 class. He must improve his academics to enroll in the fall, but if he does he has the talent to make a quick impact, even with a crowded depth chart at defensive end. end with good speed off the edge. He has enough athleticism to get away with standing up at times as an outside linebacker. Knox, who has an impressive frame, will need to fill out and get stronger, but he has a lot of potential. 2012 projection: Knox is one of the most talented MARCH 2012 ■ 33 … Helped team to an 11-2 record … Had 74 tackles, including 12 sacks, and forced three fumbles as a junior. Quotable: "Knox is a busy body on the football