North Carolina State University Athletics
Deraney Doing it All
8/13/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 13, 2004
By Tony Haynes Raleigh, N.C. - NC State kicker John Deraney ended the Wolfpack's Friday morning practice by booming a 50-yard field goal that cleared the crossbar with room to spare. The fact that the 6-4, 208-pound sophomore had plenty of leg left at the end of practice is a story unto itself considering that he has been handling virtually all of the Pack's kicking and punting chores this preseason. Used primarily as a kickoff man last season, Deraney would be NC State's fulltime placekicker and punter if the season were to begin today. "At this point John's doing everything, but this was only our seventh practice," said Wolfpack head coach Chuck Amato. "If he's the best, and he's all for it, then we'll let it go." As a redshirt freshman last season, Deraney became a weapon and a fan favorite with his tape-measure kickoffs, many of which carried the back line of the end zone. A total of 40 of Deraney's 75 kicks resulted in touchbacks, including 7-of-8 against Texas Tech and all five versus Maryland. He ended 2003 by booting 11 of his last 17 kicks out of the end zone. In spot duty as a placekicker, Deraney converted on all five of his extra-point attempts, but with senior Adam Kiker in place, he was never asked to try a field goal. With Kiker and punter Austin Herbert now gone, there's a chance that Deraney could handle all of the kicking duties unless someone else emerges. Highly touted freshman Tyler Lewis could be a prime candidate to provide some relief despite the fact that he's missed the last few practices after sustaining a minor leg injury when one of his punts was blocked by Miguel Scott. Tucker King, a junior, has also made an impression with his punting the last few days. "I tell you, Tucker King punted very well this morning," Amato said on Friday. "Tyler Lewis got his leg banged the other day so he hasn't kicked since then." Amato said Lewis should return within the next few days. Banged up Backs: Although he is expected to participate in Sunday's scrimmage, T.A. McLendon did sit out Friday's practice with a minor hamstring injury. He joins fellow tailback Reggie Davis, who hasn't practiced since suffering a more severe hamstring pull earlier in the preseason. "There are a lot of pulls at the running back position," Amato said. "About the only one that won't make it back for the scrimmage is Reggie Davis. His pull was severe. [McLendon] actually pulled a little bit of a ham late [Thursday]. We actually held him out this morning. I know what he can do and he has been awesome. He has been unbelievable." Amato also added that left tackle Chris Colmer, who is trying to bounce back from Parsonage Turner Syndrome, participated in all of the full-contact work during Friday morning's workout. Position Change: Over his first four years as NC State's head coach, it has not been unusual for Amato to pull the trigger on position changes, even during the preseason. On Friday, he said that LeRue Rumph would me making a switch on defense. "We moved LeRue Rumph from safety to SAM linebacker," said Amato. "We did that this morning at his request." Earlier in the week, Jamesley Jean was moved from tight end to wide receiver.
