NC State Prominent Among Preseason Award Nominees

RALEIGH, N.C. -When three-star recruits Jaylen Samuels, Bradley Chubb, A.J. Cole III, Cole Cook, Tony Adams, B.J. Hill, Airius Moore and Ryan Finley arrived at NC State, the national recruiting analysts probably didn't foresee them finishing their careers as nominees for some of the most elite awards in college football.

However, Dave Doeren and the Wolfpack coaching staff knew exactly what they were getting. Player development is a key component to Doeren's vision for his program and he had no doubt, that with hard work and dedication to the process, they would develop into the players that they are today.

The results of Pack Football's commitment to player development can be found in the 'watch' lists for the preseason national awards that honor the best players at each position. All eight of those former three-star recruits are now listed among top players from coast to coast.

Here's a list of the Wolfpack's preseason candidates for national awards:

Jaylen Samuels	Maxwell Award Paul Hornung Award
Bradley Chubb	Bednarik Award Nagurski Trophy
A.J. Cole III	Ray Guy Award 2017 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team 2017 Wuerffel Trophy
Tony Adams	Outland Trophy
B.J. Hill	Outland Trophy Nagurski Trophy
Airius Moore	Butkus Award
Cole Cook	Mackey Award
Ryan Finley	Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award

"There is nothing better as a head coach than watching a young man grow and then excel as a player and a person," said head coach Dave Doeren. "Player development is a key part of everything we do as a coaching staff. These young men have embraced the process and now they are earning national recognition for it. I'm so proud of them."

Known for his versatility, Samuels is already featured prominently in the Pack record books. The two-time All-ACC performer and preseason All-American currently ranks sixth in school history with 31 career touchdowns, and is also tied for sixth in receiving touchdowns (15) and 13th in rushing touchdowns (16). His 126 career receptions place him seventh in program history, while the 28-game reception streak is the longest for the Pack since 2000-03, when Jerricho Crotchery caught a pass in 39 straight games. Samuels has also played in more career games than any other player on offense, and is tied for the team lead.

While Chubb predominantly saw action on special teams as a freshman in 2014, he has developed into one of the most feared defensive ends in the country throughout his time with the Pack, being named a preseason All-American by Athlon. The 22 tackles for loss he recorded during his junior season ranked fourth in the FBS and second in the ACC, and he was the national leader at the end of the regular season. His 22 tackles for loss was also the second-highest mark in school history, exceeded only by No. 1 NFL draft pick Mario Williams.

Cole, a preseason All-ACC choice of the league media along with Samuels and Chubb, has been one of the most successful punters in program history, currently holding the Pack's fourth-best career punting average (41.5). His off-field contributions have been equally noteworthy, as the two-time ACC Academic Honor Roll selection has spent the previous three spring breaks in Nakuru, Kenya, at Mountain Park Academy ministering to children with a group from the FCA. He is also a regular visitor to schools in the area and is involved with other service initiatives.

Adams, leader of the offensive line, will be the most experienced starter on the team, with 35 career starts and 2,472 career snaps. He was honored as a second-team All-ACC performer as a junior in 2016 by both the media and coaches, as he did not allow a sack and recorded 34 knockdown blocks, while playing 93% of the team's offensive snaps. Winner of the team's Community Service Award for 2015, Adams is also known for his leadership and service off the field.

Hill will be entering the 2017 season as the most experienced player on the defense, with 31 career starts, a total that is also second overall on the team. He has been a workhorse on the defensive line throughout his career at NC State, tallying 586 snaps and 39 stops during his junior year in 2016. Hill was honored as the Phillip Rivers Freshman of the Year in 2014, as he started five of the final six games at defensive tackle.

A team captain as a junior, Cook has started 15 games for NC State and played in 38 contests. Not grading below 90% on his blocking assignments throughout the past two seasons, he has been an invaluable part of the Wolfpack offense despite often being overlooked. Cook was awarded with the Al Michaels Award in 2016, for putting team before self.

Redshirt junior quarterback Finley made a significant impact throughout his first season with NC State in 2016, already ranking 15th in program history in career passing yards and tied 14th in touchdown throws. He threw for 3,059 yards in 2016, sixth-best in school history and the highest passing total ever for a sophomore at NC State. He tied for the 11th-best single season mark in school history with 18 touchdown passes last season, and he sits seventh on the single-season list of total offense, with 3,153 yards.

NC State opens the season on Saturday September 2 at 3:00 p.m. when it takes on South Carolina in the Belk College Kickoff Game at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. To purchase tickets, please go here.

North Carolina State University Athletics

NC State Prominent Among Preseason Award Nominees

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Players Mentioned

Tony Adams

Bradley Chubb

A.J. Cole III

Cole Cook

Ryan Finley

B.J. Hill

Airius Moore

Jaylen Samuels

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