North Carolina State University Athletics
Wolfpack Getting a Kick Out of Spring Football Practice
3/20/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
March 20, 2002
By Tony Haynes
Raleigh, N.C.--As a major advocate of basic fundamentals, NC State football coach Chuck Amato rarely speaks for more than five minutes without mentioning the words 'blocking and tackling.' And make no mistake about it, the entire Wolfpack football team can expect a steady diet of blocking and tackling drills before finishing up spring practice on April 13th. Interestingly, however, the two players who are exempted from participation in full contact workouts are the ones who will provide perhaps the most intriguing head-to-head competition in spring camp.
While running backs, linebackers and linemen are banging heads on one practice field, placekickers Adam Kiker and Austin Herbert will be quietly banging footballs about 100 yards away. Assuming he can find time to break away from teaching the art of blocking and tackling, Amato is eager to see which of his kickers will emerge as the frontrunner for the starting job next fall.
"That will be a good situation," Amato said. "We're going to have to keep records and show them, 'here's what he did and here's what you did.' The more competition we have out there, the better we're going to be. When you sit there and there's nobody behind you, you say 'well, I can slop it around if I want to, what are they going to do?' The more competition we can get in all the positions, the better off we're going to be.
Kiker, a walk-on who wasn't even expected to be a factor last season, turned into a lifesaver for the Pack when starter Austin Herbert sprained his right ankle in an off-field accident prior to game three against North Carolina. After taking over, Kiker was almost automatic, connecting on 13 of 14 field goal attempts the rest of the way. The junior from Wadesboro also tallied 11 touchbacks on kickoffs over the last 10 games. And although Herbert went on to have an outstanding season as NC State's regular punter (40.9 average), he never could get his old placekicking duties back. Before getting injured, Herbert was three of three on field goals, with his longest kick coming from 28 yards out.
Other interesting battles are shaping up this spring as well. At the two defensive end positions for instance, seniors George Anderson and Drew Wimsatt are listed ahead of speedy junior college transfers Shawn Price and Terrance Chapman on the spring depth chart.
"I've got the two junior college defensive ends that I signed last year on second string right now because the other two worked a little harder in our offseason program, and they're going to be rewarded for that," Amato explained.
On those rare occasions when they were fully healthy last season, Price and Chapman were dynamic pass rushers. But Anderson's durability and overall consistency against the run and pass kept him on the field for many more snaps than the other two. Quietly going about his business week after week, Anderson finished with six quarterback sacks and led the team in tackles for loss with 11. Returning from back surgery that forced him to miss the entire 2000 campaign, Wimsatt was also a key contributor last fall.
The competition at tailback probably won't heat up until preseason camp begins in late July. With perennial starter Ray Robinson now gone, it's anybody's guess right now who will line up behind quarterback Philip Rivers when NC State opens against New Mexico on August 24. One option could be freshman recruit T.A. McLendon, who set national records for career touchdowns (178), season touchdowns (71), career rushing touchdowns (170) and career points (1,070) for Albemarle High School. And while McLendon's prep credentials are indeed astounding, it would probably be a mistake to underestimate the talents of senior Cotra Jackson, who spent most of his time at fullback the last two seasons.
"Cotra Jackson has come such a long way since we've been here," Amato said. "He's really worked hard. He's a leader on our team now and that probably wasn't the case when he first got here."
With 105 yards rushing on 26 carries and 23 receptions for 172 yards, Jackson is the only returning running back that saw significant action last season.
The players were in shoulder pads and shorts for the first two days of spring practice on Monday and Tuesday. After taking today off, they're scheduled to return to the field on Thursday afternoon. The annual spring football game will be held at Carter-Finley Stadium on April 13. Gametime is 1:00 p.m.
