North Carolina State University Athletics
Football Preview, Part Seven: Secondary
7/22/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
July 23, 2003
Although the Pack lost two-time All-ACC free safety Terrence Holt, there are starters returning at the other three secondary spots. In fact, NC State will return three corners with starting experience under their belts, as well as a roverback who tallied well over 100 stops last season.
The roverback position is known as the "hidden linebacker" in the Wolfpack defense, and Andre Maddox (6-1, 191, Jr.) certainly showed the speed and finesse of a defensive back and the ferocity of a linebacker in 2002. Maddox, who beat out a senior to start every game, is the team's top returning tackler, as his 126 stops last season ranked second only to Burnette. Maddox led the defense with 899 total snaps and led the team in tackles five times, including 20 stops versus Georgia Tech and 14 against Notre Dame.
"Andre Maddox is a tough player," said Amato. "He got better and better as the season went on, even though he played almost every snap on defense."
J.J. Jones (5-11, 185, *So.) was ineligible to play last season, but did work with the defensive scout squad in 2002 after playing in five games as a freshman in 2001. He is listed as Maddox's backup. Garland Heath (6-2, 210, Fr.), another true freshman who joined the team in January, will also battle for time at rover.
The loss of Terrence Holt leaves big shoes to fill at free safety, as he tallied 100 tackles last season and was an indomitable force on special teams. Holt played 882 snaps last season, leaving little time for reserves to see action at the free safety spot.
Troy Graham (6-3, 193, Sr.) saw action mainly on special teams last season, after moving from wide receiver in the spring of 2002 and is listed as the starter at free safety heading into preseason workouts. Victor Stephens (6-0, 172, Sr.) was the Pack's nickel back last season, seeing action in eight games (he was injured late in the season). He will see action at free safety in 2003.
The Pack has the luxury of returning three cornerbacks with starting experience, as well as welcoming a talented player back from injury and another from the offensive side of the ball. With quality depth at this position, the coaching staff hopes to solidify a rotation that will always keep fresh legs in the game.
Lamont Reid (6-0, 190, Jr.) was the team's most consistent corner last season, breaking up a team-high nine passes and tallying 40 tackles. Reid started every contest at left corner and was also one of the Pack's top performers on special teams. Marcus Hudson (6-2, 183, Jr.) was the starter in a dozen contests, making 36 stops and intercepting three passes.
Greg Golden (5-11, 185, Jr.) was the Wolfpack's utility player in 2002, starting at tailback in the first three games, leading the team in kickoff returns and starting four games at corner.
One of the biggest disappointments for the Pack in 2002 was the season-ending injury to A.J. Davis (5-10, 176, *Fr.). Davis fractured his right fibula in a preseason scrimmage and underwent surgery to insert screws and pins. The talented young player had shown great promise in practice before the injury and was raring to go when he was cleared to compete this spring.
Flanker Dovonte Edwards (6-0, 170, Jr.) had 26 catches for 289 yards last season, but made a successful move to cornerback in spring drills, earning the "Most Dependable" award among cornerbacks.
"I feel great about our corners," said Amato. "They were dominating last year. They were up in people's faces, knocking them out of bounds, knocking them on the ground. Dovonte Edwards is a natural at corner and we saw flashes of what A.J. Davis can do before he was injured. We should be able to keep them fresh and be very solid at cornerback."
Coming Thursday: Special Teams.
