North Carolina State University Athletics
TIM PEELER: Former NC State Players in the NFL
9/8/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 8, 2005
BY TIM PEELER
RALEIGH -- It's been a dozen years since Dewayne Washington played at NC State, but his professional career keeps on going.
The 32-year-old defensive back, who played for the Wolfpack from 1990-93, begins his 12th season of professional football this week, one of 17 former Wolfpack players who are listed on active rosters when the season begins Thursday night when Oakland plays at New England. One other player, New York Jets rookie safety Andre Maddox, is on injured reserve after suffering a season-ending knee injury in training camp.
Only one former Wolfpack player, wide receiver/kick return specialist Alvis Whitted, will be in action when the season kicks off Thursday night, when the Oakland Raiders play the Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots. Whitted is in his eighth season in the NFL.
Five players who suited up for the Wolfpack last year will begin their rookie seasons this weekend, including a pair of defensive backs who made final rosters after being signed as free agents following this year's draft.
Cornerback Dovonte Edwards survived the final cut of the Minnesota Vikings, where he will be a teammate of former Wolfpack defensive back Brian Williams and wide receiver Koren Robinson, who was signed by the Vikings the day before the season began.
Cornerback Lamont Reid made the final roster of the New York Jets, after he was let go by the Arizona Cardinals in training camp. Reid, a three-year starter for the Wolfpack, was an undrafted free-agent signee of the Cardinals in the spring.
The Vikings also cut veteran tight end Sean Berton at the end of camp, but he was quickly picked up by the New York Giants.
Sean Locklear, who resisted his move from defensive line to offensive line before his final season with the Wolfpack, is now the starting right offensive tackle for the Seattle Seahawks. And Terrence Holt, after two years as a reserve, will get his first career start when the Detroit Lions open their season against the Green Bay Packers.
Among players who were cut at the end of training camp were former ACC Defensive Player of the Year Levar Fisher (New Orleans Saints) and deep snapper/tight end Danny Young (San Deigo Chargers).
FORMER NC STATE PLAYERS NOW IN THE NFL
S Adrian Wilson
6-3, 230
Years at NC State: 1998-2000
Acquired: 3rd round draft pick, 2001
Experience: 4 years
Depth chart status: Starting safety
Note: Signed a five-year contract extension in the off-season to keep him with the team through 2009; started 16 straight games last year and finished second on the team with 99 tackles.
6-6, 330
Years at NC State:2000-02
Acquired: 7th-round draft pick, 2003
Experience: 2 years
Depth chart status: Second-team right guard
6-2, 208
Years at NC State: 1999-2002
Acquired: 5th round draft pick, 2003
Experience: 2
Depth chart status: Starting free safety
Notes: Entering his third season, Holt expects to make his first career starter in the Lions' opener against the Green Bay Packers.
LB Pat Thomas
6-2, 237
Years at NC State: 2001-2004
Acquired: 6th-round draft pick, 2005
Experience: Rookie
Depth chart status: Backup outside linebacker
DB Dewayne Washington
5-11, 193
Years at NC State: 1990-93
Acquired: Signed as a free agent, July 29, 2005; drafted in the 1st round, 1994 draft, by Minnesota
Experience: 12 years
Depth chart status: Backup right cornerback
Note: Durham native has started 170 games during his career, for the Vikings, Steelers and, most recently, the Jaguars. The 32-year-old veteran has 31 career interceptions.
5-11, 207
Years at NC State: 1998-2001
Acquired: 4th round draft pick, 2002
Experience: 3 years
Depth chart status: Reserve cornerback
Notes: A starter in 39 of his 48 NFL games, the High Point native is currently listed behind Fred Smoot, who was signed as a free agent in the off-season.
6-0, 182
Years at NC State: 2001-04
Acquired: Signed as an undrafted free agent on April 25, 2005
Experience: Rookie
Depth chart status: Reserve cornerback
Notes: One of two former Wolfpack defensive backs, along with Lamont Reid (New York Jets), who made opening day rosters after being signed as a free agent in the spring.
WR Koren Robinson
6-1, 205
Years at NC State:1999-2000
Acquired: Signed on Sept. 8, 2005; was released in the off-season by the Seattle Seahawks, which drafted him in the first round of the 2001 draft.
Experience:4 years
Depth chart status: Reserve wide receiver
6-0, 207
Years at NC State: 2000-2003
Acquired: 4th-round draft pick, 2004
Experience: 1 year
Depth chart status: Kickoff returner, reserve wide receiver, reserve punt returner.
DB Andre Maddox
Years at NC State: 2001-04
Acquired: 3rd Round draft pick (2005)
Experience: Rookie
Depth chart status: Injured reserve list
DB Lamont Reid
5-11, 190
Years at NC State: 2001-04
Acquired: Signed as an undrafted free agent Sept 4, 2005, after being waived by the Arizona Cardinals.
Experience: Rookie
Depth chart status: Reserve cornerback
TE Sean Berton
6-4, 263
Years at NC State: 2002
Acquired: Signed as a free agent Sept. 7, 20005, after being waived by the Minnesota Vikings
Experience: 2 years
Depth chart status: Third-string tight end
WR Alvis Whitted
6-0, 185
Years at NC State: 1994-97
Acquired: Signed by Oakland as a free agent in 2002; drafted by Jacksonville, 7th round, 1998.
Experience: 7 years
Depth chart status: Reserve wide receiver, starting kickoff returner.
6-5, 228
Years at NC State: 2000-03
Acquired: 1st-round draft pick, 2003, traded from the New York Giants
Experience: 1 year
Depth chart status: Reserve quarterback
WR Torry Holt
6-0, 190
Years at NC State: 1995-98
Acquired: 1st round draft pick, 1999
Experience: 7 years
Depth chart status: Starting wide receiver
Notes: Four-time Pro Bowl selection was tied for third in the NFL last year with 94 receptions and 1,372 yards. Holt scored 10 touchdowns.
6-3, 301
Years at NC State: 2000-03
Acquired: 3rd round pick, 2004 draft
Experience: 1 year
Depth chart status: Starting right tackle
Note: Had one kickoff return last year for 12 yards; played in all 16 games, mostly on special teams.
LB Corey Smith
6-3, 250
Years at NC State: 1998-2001
Acquired: Signed as a free agent on Dec. 12, 2004, after two years with Tampa Bay; signed as an undrafted free agent with the Buccaneers in 2002.
Experience: 2 years
Depth chart status: Reserve outside linebacker
Note: Smith moved from defensive end to outside linebacker during training camp, a better fit for the undersized end in a 3-4 defensive scheme.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
OT Chris Colmer
6-5, 310
Years at NC State: 1999-2004
Acquired: 3rd round draft pick, 2005
Experience: Rookie
Depth chart status: Backup right tackle
You may contact Tim Peeler at tim_peeler@ncsu.edu.
