North Carolina State University Athletics
Spring Football Depth Chart Could be Temporary
5/1/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
May 1, 2001
By Tony Haynes
Take one look at NC State's spring football depth chart, and you get the feeling that there could be quite a few changes between now and next September. Sure it's a given that quarterback Philip Rivers, running back Ray Robinson and outside linebacker Levar Fisher are immovable starters, but other key positions aren't nearly as predictable.
On the offensive line, the depth chart says that either Keegan Weir or Derek Green will start at center. A lot depends on Weir and whether or not he can come back from his second broken leg in as many years. The 6-5, 258 pound redshirt senior saw limited action during spring drills.
At left tackle, Chris Colmer is slated to take over for the departed Jarvis Borum, who was a solid starter for three-plus years. Things are not as clear-cut on the other side, where Reggie Poole is listed No. 1 at right tackle. Offensive line coach Marty Galbraith would prefer to move Poole back to guard, a position to which his skills are more suited. The mystery man in the right tackle equation is junior Scott Kooistra, who continues to rehabilitate a knee injury. If, as Galbraith hopes, Kooistra is ready by the fall, Poole can move back to the guard position he played last season.
The battle at wide receiver next August will be worth watching. A whole host of talented freshman, who won't arrive on campus until later this summer, will likely push incumbents like Jerricho Cotchery, Andy Bertrand, and Bryan Peterson all season. There's no denying that Koren Robinson's early departure to the NFL will hurt, but perhaps the Wolfpack can make up for his loss in numbers since there will most certainly be more quality depth at the wide receiver positions next season.
The starting defensive line that emerged from spring practice may not even remotely resemble the defensive line that takes the field in the September 1st opener against Ohio. Returnees Corey Smith (DE), Ricky Fowler (DT), Jerrick Hall (DT), George Anderson (DE) and Sean Locklear (DE) will likely spend all of August fighting off challenges from incoming junior college transfers Terrance Chapman, Terrance Martin and Shawn Price.
Head coach Chuck Amato will go into fall drills concerned about depth, or a lack thereof, at linebacker. Clayton White's eligibility has expired, Edrick Smith has left the program and Corey Lyons' return is in doubt. The potential loss of all three of those players will leave a very small margin for error. On the depth chart, former defensive end Brian Jamison is listed as a potential starter at White's old strong-side linebacker spot. The 6-1, 224 pound Jamison seemed to make a smooth transition from end to linebacker during the spring, although he spent most of the period sharing time in the middle with junior Dantonio Burnette.
Another battle is shaping up at the strong safety position, a spot vacated by Adrian Wilson, who like Robinson, made himself available for the NFL draft before his eligibility was up. Junior Julius Patterson is listed as the starter, but freshman J.J. Jones will also be given every opportunity to win the job.
