North Carolina State University Athletics
2001 Spring Football Preview
3/5/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
There was plenty of excitement for the NC State football squad last year heading into Wolfpack head coach Chuck Amato's first season.
As Amato enters his second year, expectations are even higher as the Pack comes off an 8-4 season that included a 38-30 win over Minnesota in the Micronpc.com Bowl. The Pack was the only ACC school to win a bowl game last season.
With 15 starters returning, (7 on offense, 7 on defense, one specialist) the Pack could be on the verge of bigger and better things in 2001. Amato brought a new-brand of excitement and a never-say-die attitude to Carter-Finley Stadium, as six wins were of the come-from-behind variety.
The blue-collar coach, Amato instilled a workman-like philosophy to his teams, translating to the school's first eight win season since 1994 and a two-win turnaround from 1999.
OFFENSE (Multiple)
A young gunslinger showed up in Raleigh last spring and practically
re-wrote the Wolfpack record book in just his first season.
Sophomore quarterback Philip Rivers (6-5, 228, So.), the ACC's Rookie of the Year last season, has a full season under his belt and could fully blossom in his second year. Rivers, who was named the ACC Rookie of the Week eight times, threw for 3,054 yards and set the school record for touchdown passes in a season with 25. Rivers burst on the scene with two 400-yard games and tossed nine touchdown passes in the fourth quarter and overtime. He led the Wolfpack to six victories in the fourth quarter, and was named the team's Most Valuable Player.
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The Wolfpack will be thin in the offensive backfield this spring as the squad returns only one letter winner. However, that one letter winner happens to be senior tailback Ray Robinson (5-10, 202, Sr.). The 1998 ACC Rookie of the Year, Robinson has rushed for 2,048 yards and 20 touchdowns in his career. He is coming off a solid 2000 season, which saw him run for 788 yards and seven touchdowns en route to earning honorable mention All-ACC accolades.
Junior K.J. Stone (5-11, 190, *Jr.) carried eight times for 24 yards last season, and could be a factor in the offense this spring after battling back from a crippling knee injury suffered in 1999 and a hip injury in 2000. Junior Carlos Doggett (5-10, 212, *Jr.) saw action in one game last season, but broke his foot and will miss spring drills.
Incoming freshman Tramain Hall (5-11, 180, Fr.), who is already enrolled in school, is a versatile performer who will also split time at running back and wide receiver this fall. Hall, an all-state performer is one of the Pack's top recruits. At Deerfield High School last season, Hall rushed for 1,073 yards was ranked in the top 10 nationally as an offensive and defensive player.
The fullback position is often filled by a wideout in the Pack's offensive scheme. In fact, that position recorded only two carries in 2000. However, players at the spot caught 27 passes out of the backfield.
This spring, the Pack will be inexperienced. Converted defensive lineman Chance Moyer (6-4, 230, *Fr.), will get most of the work at fullback this spring as he adjusts to a new position. Cotra Jackson (5-11, 215, Jr.), who rushed for 174 yards and four touchdowns last season, could also be in the mix at fullback, but will miss spring drills after suffering facial lacerations in an offseason accident.
The pass-catching corps takes a big hit with the loss of Koren Robinson, who declared for the NFL draft, and senior Eric Leak. The two combined to catch 94 passes for 1,457 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2000. Robinson, one of the most exciting players in ACC history, left the Wolfpack after his sophomore season after catching 110 career passes for 1,914 yards and 15 touchdowns. Not only was Robinson one of the league's top receivers, he earned first-team All-ACC honors as a returner.
Junior Bryan Peterson (5-10, 187, Jr.) is a proven commodity at one of the wide receiver positions. An excellent route runner, Peterson caught 28 passes for 394 yards and three touchdowns, and ranked second on the squad with a 14.1 yard per catch average. But Peterson's perch in the catbird seat might be threatened by the late emergence of sophomore Jerricho Cotchery (6-2, 183, So.). He missed the bowl game after fracturing his collar bone in practice, and also had off-season surgery to repair a tendon on his left little finger A big, strong wide receiver, Cotchery showed he can make tough catches, as he grabbed three balls for 36 yards in a come-from-behind win over Duke. Sophomore Andy Bertrand (6-1, 191, So.) should see plenty of work this spring. Sophomore Troy Graham (6-2, 188, So.), who was eligible to practice but not compete in 2000, possesses sprinter-type speed. He consistently made big plays on the scout team last season. Hall has outstanding speed and will see most of his time this spring at wide receiver. Last season, Hall caught 15 passes for 238 yards and five touchdowns.
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Reggie Poole (6-2, 312, Sr.) was the starter at right guard last season, but could also move to tackle this spring as junior Scott Kooistra (6-6, 300, Jr.) recovers from a knee injury. Kooistra started two games last season before re-injuring his knee against Duke, causing him to miss the rest of the season.
Derek Green (6-3, 264, *Jr.) took over at center in overtime of the Arkansas State game and started the rest of the season, performing well after playing in nine games in 1999. He is the front-runner at center, but will battle with Keegan Weir (6-5, 258, *Sr.), who was the starter last season before suffering the second season-ending leg injury of his career. Weir is also questionable for spring practice. Incoming freshman Brandon Moore (6-3, 290, Fr.), who is already enrolled at NC State, is a solid run-blocker and could work at center this spring.
Senior William Brown (6-2, 265, *Sr.) solidified his position last year at left guard and has settled in nicely at the spot. Junior Joe Lardino (6-3, 279, *Jr.) is a player who will work at guard and center this spring, and provide much-needed depth, while sophomore Travis Brinson (6-3, 257, *So.) will also work at guard. Junior Tim Turner (6-6, 301, *Jr.) played sparingly last season, but could fill-in at a tackle position. Senior Matt Broel (6-5, 298, *Sr.) will also work mostly at tackle.
An All-ACC candidate, senior Willie Wright (6-4, 226, *Sr.) will anchor a solid trio of tight ends. Wright, an All-ACC honorable mention performer last season, tied Mitch Hart of Duke for the most receptions by a tight end in the ACC with 31. Wright played in nine games and finished 10th in the league with an average of 3.44 receptions per game. He exploded on the scene in 2000 by catching nine passes for 92 yards and two touchdowns in a 41-38 win over Indiana. Senior Andy Vanderveer (6-4, 245, *Sr.) appeared in all 12 games, including five starts, last season and was effective as a run blocker. Vanderveer was used sparingly in the passing game, catching two passes for 16 yards. Junior Joe Gray (6-4, 253, Jr.) is a strong run-blocker, who was used last season in the Wolfpack's double tight-end sets.
DEFENSE (4-3)
Hampered by several key injuries in 2000, the Wolfpack defense
experienced many ups-and-downs, but came up with many big plays over the
course of the season. The Pack lost just four defensive starters and
returns at least 11 players who started at least one game.
Anchoring the defensive line will be senior defensive end senior Corey Smith (6-2, 245, *Sr.). Last season, Smith was a force, recording 55 tackles, including 12 tackles for loss and five sacks. Both of those totals were the second-best on the squad. Senior Brian Jamison (6-1, 224, Sr.) continues to be a disruptive force off the end and could be ready for a great senior season. Jamison led the team with 5.5 sacks and caused three fumbles. Junior George Anderson (6-0, 236, *Jr.), who is recovering from leg surgery, is unlikely to participate this spring, but will definitely be ready in time for fall camp and compete for playing time at defensive end.
Sophomore Sean Locklear (6-3, 290, *So.) is coming off a solid freshman campaign, where he showed he can play both tackle and end positions. Locklear ranked third on the squad with nine tackles for loss and four sacks.
Sophomore Ricky Fowler (6-2, 286, So.), who is also a key member of the Wolfpack wrestling team, emerged last season as a true freshman, recording 20 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 11 games. Fowler took over late in the season at tackle for senior Jeff Fisher, and started the last three games. Senior Darius Bryant (6-1, 287, *Sr.) is one of the Pack's strongest defensive linemen and has shown improvement as he enters his senior season. Bryant recorded 27 tackles and and one tackle for loss from his nose tackle position in 2000. Junior Jerrick Hall (6-1, 282, Jr.) became a key contributor on the defensive front last season, recording 19 tackles and one tackle for loss. Drew Wimsatt (6-4, 244, *Jr.) is coming off an injury-plagued sophomore season and is questionable (back surgery) at defensive end this spring.
The Pack will have to replace a key performer at linebacker in Clayton Whit, but returns the ACC's Defensive Player of the Year. However, the Pack will be without its leader this spring as senior Levar Fisher (6-1, 229, Sr.) will miss the drills after recuperating from off-season shoulder surgery. Fisher led the nation in tackles last season and was named a first-team All-American.
Standing only 5-foot-10, junior Dantonio Burnette (5-10, 228, Jr.) is one of the toughest linebackers per inch in the ACC. Burnette recorded over 100 tackles for the second straight season, finishing with 105 stops. Senior Corey Lyons (5-11, 195, Sr.) was a part-time starter for the Wolfpack in 2000, but will not participate in spring drills. His status for the 2001 season is uncertain. This spring will be a key for sophomore Roger Pollard (6-1, 212, So.), who was used sparingly at linebacker last season, playing mostly on special teams. Sophomore Chip Thomas (6-2, 201, So.) is an under-sized linebacker, but impressed the coaches last fall with his toughness. Sophomore Andrew Purcell (6-2, 195, So.) will also compete for playing time.
The Pack lost one starter in the defensive backfield, but it was a big one in Adrian Wilson, who bypassed his senior campaign to enter the NFL draft. Wilson ranked second on the team in tackles last season and was a big hitter from his rover position. Junior Julius Patterson (5-10, 180, Jr.) will work this spring at the rover spot. Patterson was used mainly in nickel situations, and ranked second on the team with two interceptions. Sophomore Quenton Allen (6-2, 196, *So.) missed most of last season with a severe calf injury, but returns this spring ready to vie for playing time after a promising preseason in camp in 2000. Freshman J.J. Jones (5-11, 175, Fr.), who is currently enrolled at NC State, could be a factor at the rover position as well. Jones was selected the Southeastern 4 Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 1999 after recording 122 tackles.
All-ACC second-teamer, Terrence Holt (6-2, 199, *Jr.), returns at free safety after recording 89 tackles and six pass break-ups in 2000. Holt was also a key member on special teams, blocking three kicks. Rod Johnson (5-9, 175, *Jr.) will back-up Holt this spring after playing mostly on special teams last season.
The strength of the Wolfpack secondary lies in the corners where two starters return. Brian Williams (6-0, 200, Sr.) is a veteran after moving to corner from free safety last season. A three-year letter winner, Williams recorded 55 tackles and seven pass break-ups as a junior. Two players with starting experience return at the other corner. J.J. Washington (5-7, 180, *So.) was beginning to come on strong at the weakside corner before suffering a season-ending knee injury versus North Carolina. Sophomore James Walker (6-0, 183, So.) recorded 32 tackles and five pass break-ups in 11 games, seven of those came as starts. Victor Stephens (6-2, 170, So.) appeared in seven games and will compete for playing time at corner this spring.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Amato came in and emphasized the importance of special teams, an
emphasis that was noticeable in each of the Pack's eight wins.
Punter/placekicker Austin Herbert (5-10, 204, So.) took over the
punting and kickoff chores,performing admirably. As the team's punter,
Herbert averaged 37.7 yards per punt, and dropped 15 punts inside the
opponents' 20-yard line. He was also impressive with his kickoffs,
recording 14 touchbacks.
With the graduation of Kent Passingham, Herbert will also take over the placekicking duties this spring. An all-state performer, Herbert holds the North Carolina record for career field goals with 37.
Sophomore Danny Young (6-4, 231, So.) did a great job as the team's long snapper last season and returns to serve in the same role this spring.
