North Carolina State University Athletics
Who Will Be The Man In The Middle?
8/29/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
By Tony Haynes
Middle linebacker. It is truly one of football's glamour positions. Dick Butkus, Ray Nitschke and Jack Lambert, all former middle linebackers, are among the most famous-and colorful--players in the game's illustrious history.
The names Smith and Burnette aren't nearly as well known unless, of course, you happen to follow NC State football.
Edrick Smith, a redshirt sophomore, is one-year removed from a serious knee injury he sustained in last season's opener at Texas. As expected, his recovery from surgery has been a slow and often painstaking process. It is for that reason that sophomore Dantonio Burnette will likely get the nod at middle linebacker when the Pack opens its 2000 campaign against Arkansas State this Saturday.
"Right now it's Burnette because Edrick just hasn't practiced enough," said NC State coach Chuck Amato, who was also a Wolfpack linebacker from 1965-'67. "[Smith's] still not 100 percent, but he's getting closer."
Wearing a bulky brace on his reconstructed knee, Smith was usually limited to just one practice during two-a-days, although he did participate in the Pack's last two preseason scrimmages.
After taking over for Smith last year, the 5'10, 223 pound Burnette set an NC State freshman record with 124 tackles.
"Burnette is a young man that you're just proud to have out here because you know he's going to give you everything he's got," Amato said.
It remains to be seen if Smith can return to the level that made him a preseason Butkus Award candidate prior to the 1999 campaign. As a freshman in '98, the 6'0, 234 pound Northport, Alabama native led the Wolfpack in tackles for loss with 11 for 56 yards. Smith was the runner-up to teammate Ray Robinson for ACC Rookie of the Year honors that season.
Amato has more than his share of worries, but middle linebacker isn't one of them. In Burnette and Smith, the Pack has two sophomores who have experienced a lot of quality playing time. Between them, they have combined to play in a total of 20 games. And-if you include this season-both players have three full years of eligibility remaining.
