North Carolina State University Athletics
Football Preview, Part Five: Defensive Line
7/20/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
July 21, 2003
Gopack.com continues its look ahead to the upcoming football season with a preview of the defensive line.
Defense (4-3)
Starters Lost/Returning: 6/5
Lettermen Lost/Returning: 11/18
The Wolfpack defense earned quite a reputation nationally in 2002, leading the ACC and ranking 14th nationally in total defense, and also leading the league in pass defense, red zone defense and sacks. The unit finished the season by not allowing an offensive touchdown in nine straight quarters against offensive powerhouses Florida State and Notre Dame.
Six starters from that tenacious group have completed their eligibility, including the entire front four, the second-leading tackler in NC State history and the leading kick blocker in the history of the ACC.
Defensive Line
One reason for the Wolfpack's success on defense last season was that all five players who started on the defensive line were seniors. George Anderson, Sean Price and Drew Wimsatt rotated starting roles at end, while Terrance Martin and Jerrick Hall were the starters on the interior.
Only one player returning in the front five slots has ever started a game and none started a contest last year. With such little experience returning at tackle and end, there was fierce competition for starting roles this spring and those battles should continue into fall camp.
The most experienced returnee on the interior line is Alan Halloway (6-2, 285, Sr.), who was in for 295 snaps last season after transferring to NC State from junior college. Hampered by injuries, Halloway saw decreased action toward the last half of 2002, but finished with 31 tackles and four tackles for loss. Dwayne Herndon (6-4, 282, *So.) played in six games last season after undergoing back surgery in the winter of 2002, but with added bulk has the potential to be a force on the defensive front.
The two players listed at nose tackle on the depth chart heading into fall camp have combined for exactly zero collegiate snaps. John McCargo (6-2, 286, *Fr.), who redshirted the 2002 campaign, made great improvement during spring workouts and earned the slight edge heading into fall camp. DeMarcus "Tank" Tyler (6-3, 308, Fr.), who graduated from high school in December and joined the Pack this spring, did well in spring drills and should be in improved better physical condition in August.
Sheldon Lewin (6-4, 270, Sr.) played in all 14 contests last season, seeing action at end and tackle, but is slated to stay inside for his senior campaign. Lewin, a JUCO transfer in 2002, saw action on 222 snaps.
Mario Williams (6-7, 254, Fr.), another one of the stars in the Pack's 2003 signing class, lived up to his impressive reputation after graduating from high school early and going through spring workouts. He is listed as a starter at one end heading into the fall. Terrance Chapman (6-3, 250, *Sr.), who redshirted last season but led the team in sacks in 2001, hopes to be back in competition this fall and could once again be an impact player at end.
Chip Cross (6-1, 248, *So.) saw more action at end last season than any other returning player, playing in 13 games and seeing 211 snaps, while also playing on special teams. Renaldo Moses (6-6, 210, *So.), predominantly a special teams performer in 2002, should battle Cross at the other end slot.
Corrie Dawson (6-3, 230, *Jr.), the Pack's second-leading special teams tackler last season, will move from middle linebacker to defensive end this fall. Dawson sat out of spring drills, so will have to learn the position in preseason camp.
"We have a lot of young players there who have a chance to get an early start on their careers if they work hard," said Amato. "We know the potential is there, they've just got to hit the ground running."
Coming Tuesday: Linebackers
