North Carolina State University Athletics
Spring Football Practice Opens Tuesday
3/17/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Pack’s stoic leader is itching to get started.
Coming off of a 5-7 season that had its share of ups and downs, the goals of O’Brien and his coaching staff for spring workouts are lofty, but certainly attainable with hard work and dedication. “We need to improve at all positions,” he said, “and we have to be a much more physical football team. We didn’t accomplish what we wanted to accomplish last year, but we have a head start this year.”
After coming to NC State in December of 2006, putting together a coaching staff and recruiting his first class for the Wolfpack, O’Brien barely knew his players heading into spring drills a year ago.
“But we’re way ahead of that now,” the coach said. “They understand the terminology now - what may have been apples when we got here became oranges last spring. But now, it’s oranges. Now that they know our terminology and our schemes, we can do a better job teaching so they understand what their jobs and responsibilities are.”
Knowing the coaches, the terminology and the system will hopefully allow the players to use their abilities to a greater extent. “Football is a game where you can’t be thinking about what you’re doing,” he continued.
“You have to be able to react and react fast. Hopefully this spring we’ll be able to take that next step - take the thought process out of it and just play football ... faster and much more physically than we did a year ago.”
In addition to recruiting a nationally-ranked class of signees, O’Brien and his staff have spent hours examining personnel during the offseason and making several position changes, including moving players from defense to offense and vice versa.
“We have to make sure we’ve got the right people in the right positions,” he added. “If these changes work, we’ll settle down into a system from here on out where we can recruit to our specific needs as we go on down the line. If they don’t work, we’ll have to change them again and then our incoming freshmen will come into play. We want to be able to come out of practice each spring with a two-deep that won’t change a whole lot in
the fall. And if we get a tremendous freshman who can work his way in there, great. If not, freshmen can redshirt and get experience. That’s the system we want to have in place.”
O’Brien admits that he is looking forward to spring workouts, and for a very simple reason. “It’s fun,” he said. “As a coach, spring is the best time because you’re back to being a teacher. You’re not worried about game planning or scheming or trying to figure out this, thatand everything else. You can go back to basics and fundamentals and try to see improvement each day you’re out there, so that by the 15th day, you’re a lot better
than you were on the first day.”
OFFENSE
(5 Starters Returning/6 starters lost)
Two glaring offensive weaknesses from last year’s team have stuck in O’Brien’s craw since the season ended in November: his team’s inability to run the ball and its penchant for turning the ball over. The Wolfpack averaged just 89.2 rushing yards per game last season, the second-worst in the ACC, and turned the ball over 32 times, including a whopping 23 interceptions.
The main reason behind those two negative trends according to O’Brien, was that the Pack did not play tough, physical football. To correct those deficiencies, the emphasis must start with the offensive line.
“We must be much more proficient up front and be a much more physical football team,” said O’Brien.
To reach that level of proficiency, the offensive staff moved folks around on the line and drafted a couple of defensive players to fill in some gaps. The versatile Meares Green (6-4, 306, *Sr.), who started at guard and tackle last season, will try another position in spring workouts. “We are going to try him at center,” said O’Brien. “That is a key spot for us. The center has to be a guy who understands all our concepts. He has to make the calls and get the line headed in the right direction. Hopefully he will be a guy who can do that.”
Andy Barbee (6-3, 310, *Jr.) and Henry Lawson (6-3, 285, *Sr.) will also be in the mix at the center spot.
The coaching staff raided the defensive line to bolster depth on the offensive side of the ball, bringing over two players who started games last year at defensive tackle, John Bedics (6-4, 295, *Sr.) and Ted Larsen (6-2, 285, *Jr.).
“They definitely bring a different mentality after playing defense,” O’Brien said. “The reason they are on defense is because they’re better athletes - they’re quicker and faster. They have to learn a whole new system, but hopefully they’ll take those skills and learn the techniques to help us become a better offensive line.
Bedics and Larsen will both start out at guard, along with Curtis Crouch (6-5, 335, *Sr.), a veteran of 30 games and 20 starts for his career and Gary Gregory (6-4, 305, *So.).
The tackle slot will be manned by returning starter Julian Williams (6-5, 292, *Jr.) and Jake Vermiglio (6-5, 315, So.). Williams started nine games at the position last year, while Vermiglio took over as the starter in three games while Williams was out with an injury, earning honorable mention freshman All-America honors.
Jerrail McCuller (6-7, 330, *Jr.) made solid progress at tackle last season, starting four games. He and redshirt freshman Desmond Roberts (6-4, 295, *Fr.) will battle for a spot this spring.
“We have several guys who saw a good amount of time last season and a couple of freshmen that we need to get good looks at. Hopefully we can create some good competition and come out of spring practice with a two-deep that we feel good about. We need the best five guys in there who we feel can be starters on the line and who we feel we can win football games with. Then we’ll piece it together from there.”
Another area where the Pack must see improvement in 2008 is the quarterback position. All three players who manned that spot a year ago are returning, although eight-game starter Daniel Evans (6-2, 191, *Sr.) could miss spring workouts after undergoing shoulder surgery in the offseason. Harrison Beck (6-2, 220, *Jr.) and Justin Burke (6-3, 210, *So.) will also be back.
However the coaches will probably take the hardest look at the unknown factor in the quarterback equation, Russell Wilson (5-11, 191, *Fr.). Wilson, who is also playing on the Wolfpack baseball squad this spring, spent most of his time last season with the scout squad.
“Whatever we saw from him last year, we liked,” said O’Brien. “All of the quarterbacks will have the chance to play in the spring, but he is the unknown right now and we will definitely give him the opportunity to prove himself. We must see better productivity from the quarterback spot this season.”
On paper, it looks as though NC State will have quality depth at the halfback position, with two returning 1,000-yard rushers and three returning starters. But after last season’s season-ending injury to one starter and a four-game injury to another, O’Brien isn’t taking anything for granted.
Toney Baker (5-1, 225, *Jr.) entered last season with over 1,200 career yards and was the starter in the season opener. But he suffered a serious knee injury in that contest and had to undergo surgery, ending his season early. At that point, Andre Brown (6-0, 228, Sr.),
who entered his junior campaign with over 1,300 career yards, took over, but five games later went down with a fractured foot. So for the last six games, Jamelle Eugene
(5-10, 195, *Jr.) held down the position, posting three 100+ yard rushing games. Curtis Underwood (5-11, 215, So.) saw action in six games as a true freshman a year ago, rushing 19 times for 84 yards. Baker won’t be available in the spring, but Brown and
Eugene will both battle for playing time.
“Andre Brown will be back after missing almost half of the season and
Heading into spring practice, the fullback position will be manned by two walk-ons: Derrick White (6-1, 225, Jr.) and Corey Darrington (5-11, 211, So.).
Tight end is another position that was hit by injury last year, as all-star starter Anthony Hill (6-6, 265, *Sr.) tore his ACL during summer workouts and missed
the entire season. Hill will miss spring drills but will be back for fall camp. Matt Kushner (6-4, 259, *Sr.) saw action in all 12 games a year ago, pulling in 10 receptions,
while George Bryan (6-5, 250, *Fr.) was impressive on the scout team.
“With Anthony not there, George Bryan will have the opportunity to show what he can do this spring,” said O’Brien. “Kushner was a backup tight end a year ago, but he’ll gain more reps this spring so we expect him to improve. Then in the fall when Anthony comes back, we’ll decide our rotation.”
Although three of the top five receivers from last season have completed their eligibility, O’Brien is happy about the competition at the wideout spots. Donald Bowens (6-3, 206, Jr.) had 41 catches a year ago, the third-best mark on the team and the best among returning players. Jarvis Williams (6-4, 205, *So.), Darrell Davis (6-4, 200, *So.) and Owen Spencer (6-3 180, So.) also saw time, combining for 25 catches. Veterans
Geron James (6-3, 200, *Jr.), who will return after sitting out last season, and Andrew Evans (5-10, 180, *Gr.) will also be back.
Joining those veterans will be two talented players who redshirted 2007: Steven Howard (6-2, 185, *Fr.) and Jay Smith (6-2, 197, *Fr.).
“There is a lot of competition at wideout,” O’Brien continued. “We’ll have an opportunity to see what James, Howard and Smith can do this spring. We have
enough talent there from what we saw last year. Now they’re all competing for playing time. I feel good about our depth at wide receiver.”
DEFENSE
(Starters Returning 4, Starters Lost 7)
The coaching staff’s goals for the Wolfpack defense this spring sound eerily similar to those of the offense: get more physical and solve the turnover problem. On the defensive side of the ball, it’s takeaways, not giveaways, that were the problem in 2007. NC State forced just 16 turnovers last year and gave up an ACC-worst 186.4 rushing yards per game.
“We must be able to stop the run,” O’Brien said emphatically. “We also need to increase our takeaways. We had our hands on a lot of footballs in the secondary last year but we have to do a better job catching them. If we had caught half the balls we dropped last year, we probably would have had an acceptable turnover ratio.”
Just as on offense, it will all start up front on the defensive side of the ball. The Wolfpack lost two starters on the defensive line, but returns two starters and a couple of other players who earned quality experience a year ago. Those vets and a talented group of young players hope to settle into positions by the end of spring workouts.
Alan-Michael Cash (6-1, 286, *Jr.) started every game he played at tackle last year, leading all defensive linemen in tackles. Two young players, Wayne Crawford (6-3, 290, *Fr.), who redshirted 2007, and Kyle Linney (603, 300, Fr.), a true freshman who joined the team in January, are also penciled in at that spot.
Also at tackle, Keith Willis, Jr. (6-2, 278, *Sr.) becomes eligible after sitting out last season due to transfer rules. Willis played for O’Brien and his father, defensive line coach Keith Willis, at
Antoine Holmes (6-2, 281, Sr.) saw action at end in seven games last season but moved to tackle for the last two contests, where he will remain this spring.
Markus Kuhn (6-5, 275, So.) earned freshman All-America honors last year, seeing action in 11 games. He started the season at tackle, but moved to end for the
last six games and will start off this spring at left end. Jeff Reiskamp (6-3, 235, *Fr.) showed promise as a redshirt and will also battle at end.
The other end will be covered by speedy Willie Young (6-4, 230, *Jr.), who led the team with 16 tackles for loss, six sacks and 24 quarterback pressures last season. Audi Augustin (6-2, 250, *So.) saw time at end and tackle last season, but will be at end for the
spring.
“Midway through last year, we moved Markus Kuhn from tackle to end and we thought it was a better position for him,” said O’Brien. “It will be a
The Pack lost four linebackers who completed their eligibility last season, including three who combined to start 32 games in 2007. Nate Irving (6-2, 227, *So.) played the most snaps of any returnee at linebacker (296), while starting four games. He averaged almost
eight stops per game as a starter on the strong side a year ago and will be back at that spot this spring. Audie Cole (6-5, 215, *Fr.) redshirted last season but will see
action at linebacker in his first collegiate spring. Ray Michel (6-0, 224, *Jr.) played in all 12 games last season and has played in more career games (24) than any other member of the linebacking corps. J.R. Sweezy (6-5, 245, *Fr.) redshirted on the defensive line last season, but will move to linebacker, while true freshman Dwayne Maddox (6-2, 220, Fr.) will also fight for time.
Thomas Barnes (5-11, 200, So.) is another young player who was thrown into the fire early in his career, but that experience should prove valuable this year as he works to earn a starter’s job. Robbie Leonard (6-0, 194, *Sr.), who played strong safety last season and
has a wealth of special teams snaps under his belt, will get a hard look from the coaching staff at a linebacker spot this spring.
“We lost four linebackers, but Irving and Michel played a lot last year,” O’Brien continued. “Barnes got some time, but he will be in the same boat with the redshirt freshmen and Maddox in that this is their first opportunity to learn techniques and how we want them to be executed. We know that these young guys have talent, but they have to prove to us that they can play on this level. If they can, it will really help us out.
“We have to stop the run, so moving Sweezy to middle linebacker gives us a big body there. He was a standup guy in high school and last year was the first time he had played with his hand on the ground. We’re going to see if he’s a better up’ guy. We also moved Leonard to linebacker. We’re not sure yet if those positions are better for those guys, but spring is a time to experiment.”
The Wolfpack also lost several starters in the secondary, but a couple of veterans and some young players who made great strides in 2007 will return. Jeremy Gray (6-2, 186, *Sr.) tied for the team lead in interceptions last season and will be back at the corner for 2008, while J.C. Neal (5-11, 195, Sr.) will man one of the safety spots. That senior duo has combined to play in 61 career games and will hopefully provide senior leadership
in the defensive backfield.
DeAndre Morgan (5-10, 166, *So.) started seven games at cornerback a year ago and his 517 snaps from scrimmage were more than any other freshman. But behind Gray and Morgan at corner are two players who have never played that position collegiately. Koyal
George (5-11, 169, *Jr.), who earned a scholarship in the offseason, has spent his Wolfpack career at wide receiver, but saw some action in the defensive secondary
during the off-week last season and the coaching staff liked what they saw.
True freshman Dominique Ellis (5-11, 190, Fr.) will also work at corner this spring.
The other safety spot should be in capable hands with Neal and John Ware (5-11, 205, *So.), a hard-hitting linebacker who has moved to the secondary for spring workouts. Ware played in all 12 games last season, with 215 snaps from scrimmage. Javon Walker
(6-0, 188, *So.) was coming on strong at midseason and had worked his way into the starting lineup before suffering a season-ending knee injury at
Neither of the players penciled in at safety have ever seen collegiate action. Jimmaul Simmons (6-2, 190, *Fr.) and Justin Byers (6-0, 170, *Fr.) both redshirted a year ago, but the staff hopes to see rapid advancement by both of those young players.
“With Gray, Neal and Morgan, we have some guys who have been in ball games and know what to expect,” said O’Brien. “Then, we have a bunch of young guys
who will have to help us. There is going to be a lot of competition back there to find out who the best players are. We want to come out of spring with four guys we feel good about starting.”
SPECIAL TEAMS
(Starters Returning 1, Starters Lost 1)
The Wolfpack squad won’t work nearly as much on kicking during the spring as it will in the fall, but the will work on field goal kicking, the punting game and punt returns.
Although he’s never kicked in a college game, Josh Czajkowski (5-9, 178, *So.) is the main placekicker heading into spring drills. Bradley Pierson (5-9, 163, *Sr.) was the Pack’s starting punter in 2007 for 10 games and earned a scholarship following the season. He will resume those duties for his senior campaign and may handle some of the placekicking chores as well.
Michael Maurer (5-11, 225, Jr.) and Corey Tedder (6-1, 212, Jr.) will once again handle the long snapping for the Wolfpack.
