North Carolina State University Athletics
2002 Wolfpack Football Prospectus
4/12/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 12, 2002
Raleigh, NC - When the NC State football squad takes the field on August 24, the 100,000-square-foot operations center in the south endzone will be nearing completion. Players and fans have watched the mammouth structure come to fruition, as workers first dug deep into the earth to ensure that the building was on a solid footing, and then built the impressive four-level structure on that solid foundation.
Wolfpack head coach Chuck Amato has used that same process in rebuilding the NC State football program. With a foundation that emphasized both mental and physical discipline, Amato and his staff are building a program that he hopes will last even longer and stand stronger than bricks and mortar.
Ten starters are gone from the 2001 team that posted a 7-4 regular season record, became the first ACC team to win at Florida State since the Seminoles joined the league, and earned a second consecutive bowl bid. However, the Pack returns its largest group of seniors during Amato's tenure with 17 (after just 13 seniors last season and eight in 2000). That added experience, along with a solid corp of young talent, should bode well for the future of Wolfpack football.
OFFENSE (Multiple)
One of the cornerstones for the resurgence of Wolfpack football has been Philip Rivers (6-5, 236, Jr.), whose 5,640 career passing yards is more than any rising junior in ACC history and already ranks third in the Wolfpack record book. Rivers has already rewritten the single game and single season passing records for the Wolfpack, and stands poised to break numerous career marks as well. Although Rivers passed for less yards last season (2,586) than during his rookie campaign (3,054), his .625 completion mark set a school record and led the ACC.
Rivers will have a solid backup in former high school All-American Jay Davis (6-1, 206, R-Fr.), who had a solid spring campaign after redshirting the 2001 season. Both Wolfpack QBs are the sons of high school coaches, which adds an intangible advantage to their physical skill.
Rushing the ball proved to be difficult at times for the Pack last season, as the team ranked eighth in the ACC with just 111.6 rushing yards per game. However, the Pack's leading receiver was tailback Ray Robinson, as many of the offense's pass plays are actually part of the rushing offense.
Only one 2001 letterwinner returns at running back, the versatile Cotra Jackson (5-11, 213, Sr.). Jackson has played at both the fullback and tailback spots for the Wolfpack and has been solid catching passes out of the backfield, as his 23 receptions last season was the fifth-best mark on the team. In fact, he earned more yardage (172) catching the ball than he did rushing (105). The Birmingham, Ala., native should get the nod at tailback after a solid spring campaign.
Josh Brown (5-10, 185, So.) practiced but did not compete last season, but posted a solid performance in spring workouts. He should vie for playing time in the backfield this season. Carlos Doggett (5-10, 232, R-Sr.), was hampered by a foot injury last year after redshirting in 1999, and sat out spring workouts to concentrate on academics.
Chance Moyer (6-2, 232, R-So.), a converted defensive lineman, played in five games at fullback last season, although he did not carry the ball. He finished spring workouts pencilled in as the starter at fullback for Amato and company.
The wide receiver position could be the deepest areas on the team, with a combination of youth (four sophomores are among the top six receivers) and experience (a senior with 1,564 career snaps under his belt and a junior who has played in all 24 games of his career). The returning group of wideouts combined for 125 catches for 1,622 yards and eight touchdowns last season.
The "old man" of the corps is split end Bryan Peterson (5-11, 190, Sr.). Peterson, a solid performer who is pound-for-pound one of the strongest players on the team, ranks 11th in Wolfpack history career receptions (97) and 10th in receiving yards (1,335) and has caught a pass in 25 consecutive games dating back to the 1999 season, one of the nation's longest streaks.
Two young guns will also see action at split end, sophomores Sterling Hicks (6-2, 182, So.) and Andy Bertrand (6-2, 191, RS-So.). Hicks saw action in 11 games last season, pulling down a dozen receptions, while Bertrand redshirted the 2001 season after undergoing shoulder surgery. Both had solid performances in spring workouts.
Jerricho Cotchery (6-1, 200, Jr.) should get the starting nod again at the flanker position, after tallying 41 catches for 483 yards and four touchdowns last season. He got stronger as the season progressed, with almost half (19) of his catches coming in the last three games of the regular season.
Another sophomore, Dovonte Edwards (6-0, 174, So.), should be in prime physical condition, after practicing with the Wolfpack basketball team, going through winter workouts AND participating in spring drills. Edwards had 11 catches for 164 yards and a touchdown and ended the season with a productive bowl game, catching a season-high eight passes for 47 yards and a touchdown. Chris Murray (6-3, 185, So.) left the team in October after playing in just one game last season, but returned for the spring semester and could figure into the rotation.
The biggest question mark for the 2002 Wolfpack will be the offensive line. Three starters from that unit, guards William Brown and Keegan Weir and center Derek Green, have graduated, but both tackles return for their senior campaigns.
The most solid performer on the offensive line for the past two seasons has been right tackle Chris Colmer (6-5, 305, R-Jr.), an honorable mention All-ACC choice who played the most plays of any offensive lineman (618) and posted a grade of over 80% in eight consecutive games. Colmer graded out at 98% (the highest grade offensive coordinator Marty Galbraith recalls giving) versus Georgia Tech and 94% versus Maryland. Although he missed spring drills after undergoing foot surgery, he should be back in full stride for preseason workouts.
Manning the other tackle slot is a second seasoned veteran, Scott Kooistra (6-6, 304, Sr.), who earned winning coach's grades in all but one contest last season, his first as a full-time starter after playing in only four games the previous year after rupturing his patella tendon and seeing limited action during the 2001 spring campaign. The Cary native was the only returning starter to participate in spring drills.
The backups at tackle boast just 32 snaps of experience among three players. Brian Archis (6-3, 288, RS-Fr.) redshirted last season after undergoing an ACL reconstruction, while John McKeon (6-4, 302, RS-Fr.) earned valuable experience as a member of the scout squad. Walkon Brook Payne (6-4, 296, Jr.) saw action in every game last season, mainly on the extra point and field goal units, but saw only 32 snaps at his tackle position.
Both guard spots should be manned by converted defensive linemen: Shane Riggs (6-3, 290, RS-Sr.) and Sean Locklear (6-4, 286, RS-Jr.). Riggs made the move prior to last season, seeing action from scrimmage for 139 snaps, making him the most experienced guard on the 2002 squad. Locklear started two games at defensive tackle, tallying 29 total tackles.
The backups at the guard spots, Brandon Moore (6-3, 290, RS-Fr.) and Antoine Colvin (6-2, 286, RS-Fr.) redshirted last season, gaining experience on the scout teams, while Ashley Wingate (6-2, 301, Jr.) saw action in three games
Jed Paulsen (6-1, 290, So.) is a promising young center who played in 11 of the Pack's 12 contests last season. Paulsen's backup, Brandon Sanders (5-11, 281, Jr.), missed most of spring drills with a torn ACL after playing in just one game last season.
The graduation of Willie Wright, who had more career catches than any tight end in school history (71), leaves a key position unmanned, but there are several candidates for the position. Joe Gray (6-4, 260, Sr.),who started two games last season and had only one reception, missed most of spring drills after tearing his MCL and PCL in the first week of workouts. Sean Berton (6-2, 255, RS-Sr.), a transfer from West Virginia, saw his first action of last season in the bowl game and should battle for the starters' job. John Ritcher (6-2, 236, RS-Fr.) redshirted last season at fullback, but played almost exclusively at tight end this spring.
DEFENSE (4-3)
Six starters return for the Wolfpack defense that showed great improvement last season, ranking in the top 20 nationally in several different defensive categories throughout the season and finishing the season ranking 25th in scoring defense. Although several key members of that defensive unit have completed their eligibility, including All-American linebacker Levar Fisher, a dozen players who have started at least one game in their careers will return.
For the first time in several seasons, NC State boasts quality depth across the defensive front, particularly at the end positions. Despite the loss of second-team All-ACC performer Corey Smith, there are four talented senior ends who should have a spirited battle for starting spots, as the quartet combined to play almost 1,200 snaps last season.
George Anderson (6-1, 240, RS-Sr.) started every game at end last season, leading the team in tackles for loss with 11, including six sacks. The only thing that may have kept junior college transfers Shawn Price (6-2, 235, Sr.) and Terrance Chapman (6-3, 248, Sr.) from the starting lineup were high ankle sprains that limited both players' snaps from midseason on. The duo combined to make 20 stops behind the line of scrimmage, including 13 sacks. Drew Wimsatt (6-4, 244, RS-Sr.) also saw action in all 11 games and could very well enter fall drills as the starter at one of the end spots.
The interior line should be aptly manned as well, with another pair of seniors listed as starters at the end of spring workouts. Terrance Martin (6-3, 290, Sr.) is a solid returnee at nose tackle, showing his toughness by returning to the field just 12 days after an emergency appendectomy last season. He tallied 30 tackles for the season, including 19 solo stops and four tackles for loss. Jerrick Hall (6-2, 285, Sr.) brings experience at the other tackle spot after seeing action in 31 regular season games so far in his career.
Providing depth at the nose will be Ricky Fowler (6-2, 286, Jr.), who played a season at defensive line and then spent the early part of last season on the offensive side of the ball before moving back to defense in October. He tallied five tackles for loss and should be much improved after a spring and preseason camp back on defense. Brian "Chip" Cross (6-1, 245, RS-Fr.) is a promising young player who gained experience while redshirted last season at defensive tackle.
Two talented starters are missing from the Wolfpack linebacking corps, as Fisher and Brian Jamison have both graduated. But a senior in the middle should provide leadership to a talented young group.
Dantonio Burnette (5-10, 233, Sr.) ranks eighth in NC State history in career taklces with 332 and is the co-holder (with Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Bill Cowher) of the Wolfpack single-game tackle mark with 24. At 5-10, Burnette may not look like the most imposing player on the Pack defense, but his teammates and coaches would certainly deem him the toughest.
Corrie Dawson (6-3, 236, RS-So.) saw action mainly on special teams last season, but has emerged as a solid backup to Burnette during spring workouts.
Roger Pollard (6-0, 216, Jr.) has considerable experience at the SAM linebacker spot, starting three contests last season and playing 361 snaps. His 48 tackles was more than any reserve on the Wolfpack squad. Backing up Pollard on the strong side will be Avery Gibson (6-2, 236, So.), whose playing time from scrimmage increased over the course of his rookie campaign, while he saw frequent action on special teams.
On the weak side, two talented sophomores will compete for playing time. Pat Thomas (6-1, 224, So.), who played in all 12 games last season, mainly on special teams, did not see any contact this spring while recovering from a shoulder injury. He should be back at full speed for fall camp, however. Hard-hitting Freddie Aughtry-Lindsay (6-1, 224, So.) was also a special teams demon for the Pack last fall and carried the load on the weak side during spring drills.
The one loss in the defensive secondary was a big one, as cornerback Brian Williams, the Wolfpack's best cover corner and the team leader with nine pass break-ups, completed his eligibility. However, a bevy of athletic young players should help make up for the loss of the seasoned veteran.
The battle for the starting cornerback spots should be a heated one. Greg Golden (5-10, 191, So.) and Lamont Reid (6-0, 185, So.) made their marks mainly on special teams and as kickoff returners during their rookie campaigns, but both saw increasing action over the course of the season at cornerback. Golden earned the start for the injured Williams in the win over Florida State, while Reid made a key pass breakup to preserve that historic win for the Pack.
Marcus Hudson (6-1, 193, So.) showed great promise as a true freshman last season, earning the starting nod at left corner for the last four regular season games of the year. He had two big fourth-down stops on the season, including one to preserve a 24-0 shutout of Virginia, and posted the Pack's third longest play in school history when he returned an interception 100 yards for a touchdown in a 55-31 win over Duke.
J.J. Washington (5-8, 180, RS-Jr.) has been hampered by injuries throughout his career, but was healthy throughout spring drills and should also battle for the job at right corner.
First-team All-ACC performer Terrence Holt (6-2, 203, RS-Sr.) was the Pack's third-leading tackler with 104 stops from his free safety spot last fall, but earned his reputation by blocking four field goals, a mark which tied a national record. With nine blocked kicks and 215 tackles for his career, Holt, who is a preseason candidate for the Nagurski Trophy, has solidified his position at free safety.
Backing up Holt will be Victor Stephens (6-0, 185, Jr.), who was the Pack's nickle-back last season and played 130 snaps,starting one contest. Rod Johnson (5-9, 185, RS-Sr.), who has been slowed by a plethora of injuries during his career, including a broken arm last season, will also battle for time at free safety. Troy Graham (6-2, 195, RS-So.), who started six games at wide receiver last season, made the move to free safety in the second week of spring practice, and could battle for time as well.
Julius Patterson (5-11, 191, Sr.) saw 732 snaps of action at the rover spot last season, the third-highest total on the team. However, steady progress by Andre Maddox (6-0, 191, So.) last season and in the spring have made the the competition fierce at that spot.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Special teams has become the calling card of Wolfpack football squad over the past several years. Since the beginning of the 1998 season, NC State has blocked 17 punts and 10 field goals, including three punts and five field goal blocks last season.
Terrence Holt blocked four field goals for the Pack last season and Cotra Jackson was the leading tackler on special teams with 18 stops and earned the squad's Most Valuable Specialist award. Wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery, a member of almost every special team, tallied 11 special teams stops and returning 10 punts for 100 yards.
Cotchery and Bryan Peterson could be tabbed as the punt returners, while Greg Golden and Lamont Reid, who both ranked among the top 10 in the ACC, will resume their kickoff return duties.
Austin Herbert (6-0, 204, Jr.), whose 39.2 career punting average ranks ninth in school history, has already punted 112 times in his two years of competition, the 12th-highest total in school history. The Cary native ranked third in the ACC in punting average (40.9) last season.
Herbert began the 2001 season handling the placekicking duties as well, but he sprained his ankle the last week of September and was forced to concentrate solely on punting. Enter walkon Adam Kiker (6-0, 182, RS-Jr.), who end up ranking third in the ACC in field goals per game (1.44), fourth in kick scoring (7.0 ppg) and third in field goal percentage (92.9%) for 2001. He also did an admirable job on kickoffs, with 11 of his 41 kicks during the regular season resulting in touchbacks.
Junior Danny Young (6-5, 237, Jr.) has been a key player on special teams as the Pack's long snapper and will handle those duties once again.
