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RB
Andre Brown (PHOTO BY: Peyton Williams) |
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2005
Statistics |
Coach:
Chuck Amato
46-28,
6 years |
2005
Record: 7-5 |
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VIRGINIA
TECH |
LOST
16-20 |
EASTERN
KENTUCKY |
WON
54-10 |
NORTH
CAROLINA |
LOST
24-31 |
at
Georgia Tech |
WON
17-14 |
CLEMSON |
LOST
10-31 |
at
Wake Forest |
LOST
19-27 |
SOUTHERN
MISS |
WON
21-17 |
at
Florida State |
WON
20-15 |
at
Boston College |
LOST
10-30 |
MIDDLE
TENNESSEE |
WON
24-3 |
MARYLAND |
WON
20-14 |
MEINEKE
CAR CARE BOWL |
vs.
South Florida |
WON
14-0 |
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2005 Final Rankings
AP-UR, Coaches-UR, BCS-UR
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2006
Outlook |
Head
coach Chuck Amato has again built
the main championship dimension –
a stellar defense – for that
is the area in which he specializes.
His motto…FINISH…holds
water here, and from where his most
recent defensive stars are now (six
’05 departees made it to the
NFL), you can see that his guys take
him seriously and literally, both
with their careers and from play to
play. Amato has not really broken
through to take any of his Packs into
the top 10 echelons, and due to the
mediocre state of the passing game
(hasn’t recovered since Rivers
left), it won’t happen this
year, either.
Still,
Amato’s squad is one of the
most feared in the nation, for your
team may beat them, but they will
have to earn it, even in 2006 - even
with all of the departures on D. But
health concerns mean that beyond the
secondary and RBs, the starters have
to stay vital, or the team will take
steps back. One other exception could
be at QB, where Stone’s throws
need to be on target early and often
(29% completion rate in the first
half of his ’05 efforts), or
we feel he should have a short leash
before Evans is inserted.
Many
of the pieces could fall together
with such a strong running game, which
is good enough to dominate (the clock)
and foster the other offensive dimension,
especially with so many quality receivers
also on board. Brown and Baker will
out-duel each other weekly for optimal
winning effect, so the D just has
to gel, especially the LBs, and the
W column will grow.
State
has stacked some real creampuffs in
their non-con slate (save Southern
Mississippi), and with BC, FSU and
Georgia Tech all coming to Raleigh
(seven of their twelve are home games,
and no VT or Miami), the schedule
is rather favorable for State to challenge
for the ACC Atlantic half. This is
just a fun team to watch, a team with
loads of talent that will get to that
next level eventually under Chuck.
Projected
2006 record: 6-6
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NC
STATE
*POWER RATINGS |
Offense |
Defense |
QB
- 2.5 |
DL
- 3.5 |
RB
- 3.5 |
LB
- 3 |
WR
- 3 |
DB
- 3.5 |
OL
- 3 |
.. |
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RETURNING
LEADERS |
Passing:
Marcus Stone, 154-75-6, 1015 yds.,
8 TD
Rushing: Andre Brown, 129 att.,
667 yds., 6 TD
Receiving: Lamart Barrett,
21 rec., 248 yds., 0 TD
Scoring: John Deraney, 15-20
FG, 28-28 PAT, 73 pts.
Punting: John Deraney, 72 punts,
40.1 avg.
Kicking: John Deraney, 15-20
FG, 28-28 PAT, 73 pts.
Tackles: Garland Heath, 64
tot., 34 solo
Sacks: Tank Tyler, 1.5 sacks
Interceptions: Garland Heath,
5 for 40 yds.
Kickoff Returns: Darrell Blackman,
20 ret., 29.1 avg., 0 TD
Punt Returns: Darrell Blackman,
21 ret., 5.8 avg., 0 TD
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DT
DeMario Pressley (PHOTO BY: Gene Galin) |
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NC
STATE
|
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OFFENSE
- 7 |
----RETURNING
STARTERS---- |
DEFENSE
- 6 |
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KEY
LOSSES |
OFFENSE:
Jay Davis-QB, Brian Clark-WR, Sterling
Hicks-WR, Tramain Hall-WR, T.J. Williams-TE,
John McKeon-OG, Dwayne Herndon-OG, Derek
Morris-OT |
DEFENSE:
Manny
Lawson-DE, Renaldo Moses-DE, Oliver
Hoyte-MLB, Marcus Hudson-CB, J.J. Jones-DB,
Mario Williams-DE (NFL), John McCargo-DT
(NFL), Stephen Tulloch-WLB (NFL) |
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2006
OFFENSE |
Quarterback
After
a consistent showing in the latter half
of 2005, junior Marcus Stone begins this
campaign as the clear-cut starter. The athletic
dual-threat Stone has size and manages the
offense well, but he will have to improve
on his first half throwing stats (only 29%
completion rate) if the Pack is to get back
to Philip Rivers-levels of production. Still,
Stone posted a 5-1 mark as a starter and
has 4.6 speed. His upside hasn’t been
realized, so when this former Gatorade Player
of the Year (Pa.) reaches his potential,
N.C. State will surge. Daniel Evans changes
things somewhat as he is a drop-back type,
but his 4.7 speed says the sophomore would
alter little in the play-calling when inserted.
Evans prep résumé has him
ranked second or third for most in-state
passing marks, but the local product gives
up over 40lbs. to Stone, making him easier
to bring down when chased/sacked. If you
see this quadruplet in on third-and-long
or fourth downs, don’t be surprised
as the legacy gets off a good punt (father
Johnny was an all-American in the same capacities
from 1974-77 and currently does color commentary
on Wolfpack Radio Network). Third-stringer
Mike Greco is super speedy (4.37), and may
see the field in a slash (QB/WR/RB) capacity
just to get the ball in his hands somehow.
This unit can potentially do much harm.
Running
Back
State
is loaded with big bruisers who are just
as capable of running around opposing tacklers
as they are through them. Andre Brown seems
to be the primary – he runs a 4.4
40 yard dash and averaged over five per
carry in his first campaign last year. Brown
set an in-state record for single season
rushing (3,479 yards) to earn AP Player
of the Year honors in 2003. Classmate Toney
Baker proved he is just as worthy in their
one-two punch. Baker, ranked even higher
than Brown as an incoming RB by Rivals.com,
set the state record and has the third-highest
career rushing total in the nation with
10,231 yards (3,411 as a junior is second
only to Brown’s mark). The Greenville-native
is just as fast and big as Brown, and they
will again be equally utilized, meaning
fresh, strong legs will be powering out
of the Wolfpack backfield for 60 minutes.
RS frosh Jameel Eugene offers depth and
a change of pace with his svelter look.
RS sophomore Octavius Darby is an athletic
converted-TE (now starting FB) who seems
like a dangerous runner (after the catch)
if given the chance. After finishing a mere
83rd in rushing offense, the added dimension
of a wily running QB means look out for
the Wolfpack ground attack in 2006.
Receiver
Though
the top three snarlers have departed, three
experienced upperclassmen remain to keep
N.C. State strong here. Lamart Barrett is
the corps’ lone senior, and his consistent
production means he can be a go-to guy for
Stone right away. John Dunlap has the size
to be the solid deep threat needed, for
both of State’s field-stretchers from
‘05 graduated. Fellow-junior and converted-RB
Darrell Blackman is the fastest of the mainstays,
and with his stocky build, he should be
very productive after the catch. Blackman
and Dunlap are both slated for the Z-slot,
so their competition for the starting role
will push both to excellence. Geron James
looks to reestablish his lanky presence
after injuring his shoulder in the second
game last year. After James, the drop-off
of experienced guys is great. Still, six
worthy prospects from this year’s
incoming class are all awaiting their chances
to contribute immediately, so it is just
a matter of time until this area is again
three-deep strong.
Tight
End
Anthony
Hill proved his conversion to a top college
TE was worth the trouble as this hulkster
now has proven soft hands to go with his
dominating blocking. A DE in prep but recruited
as an OLman, Hill started most of the ’05
campaign here and will continue to expand
his production. Octavius Darby is slated
as the second stringer, and he will wreak
havoc over the deep middle with the mismatches
he too will impose. These two need to stay
healthy – there is little behind them
to keep State dominant on the lines’
edge(s).
Offensive
Line
Though
somewhat revamped, there is enough experience
here to make us consider the OL as a strength.
Leroy Harris is their senior center who
has the size and footwork to go with his
recognition for calling the needed schemes.
This former freshman all-American has started
every game since 2003 (many at guard), and,
as a perennial Rimington candidate, has
even had new statistical categories invented
due to his prowess (‘round trip’
is when he blocks a defender in a complete
circle; the ‘RDU Express’ is
when he pushes someone back at least seven
yards). Senior LT Lames Newby is a returning
starter and has the same quickness to secure
Stone’s blindside (also has proven
himself when needed inside). Classmate Jon
Holt has yet to live up to his hype, but
his final spring this year saw the new starting
right tackle earn the line’s award
for most improved. Junior Kalani Heppe is
again the starter at left guard. A shoulder
injury kept him from truly regaining his
spot in ’05, but he looks back to
his old form now. Four-star sophomore bigman
Curtis Crouch proved he can secure the right
guard slot after his five knockdowns versus
FSU (started that game). State goes (maybe)
two deep with quality, so health is a concern
if the injury bug hits.
OFFENSIVE
BREAKDOWN
With
a running game that features one of the
nation’s best backfields, the Wolfpack
aerial assault can use that distraction
to improve on its modest showing from 2005.
Brown and Baker have to be respected, and
the commitment foes will be forced to make
so they can keep these two from each gaining
100 yards per game means underneath coverages
will suffer. Stone has to continue to improve
so State can rank higher than 116th for
its third-down conversion rate (25%) and
so as to keep the box from being stacked.
Stone, who came on to start half way through
the last campaign but never led the offense
to more than 24 points in a game (and that
was against Middle Tennessee State), could
easily be replaced in the same manner by
pure drop-back guy Daniel Evans if he sputters.
With the defense losing so many great starters,
Stone won’t be bailed out as readily.
The line is the X-factor, and they are good
enough to keep the ground game rolling even
with extra men crowding the box. And if
the new-look receiving corps can establish
with Stone a deep threat dimension, State
can challenge for their conference half.
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WR/RB
Darrell Blackman (PHOTO BY: Peyton
Williams)
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NORTH
CAROLINA STATE 2006 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players |
OFFENSE |
QB |
Marcus
Stone-Jr (6-4, 236) |
Daniel
Evans-So (6-2, 191) |
FB |
Octavius
Darby-So (6-2, 256) |
John
Kane-So (5-9, 239) |
HB |
Andre
Brown-So (6-0, 232) |
Toney
Baker-So (5-10, 228) |
WR |
John
Dunlap-Jr (6-2, 210) |
Darrell
Blackman-Jr (5-10, 209) |
WR |
Lamart
Barrett-Sr (6-1, 190) |
Geron
James-Fr (6-1, 185) |
TE |
Anthony
Hill-Jr (6-6, 277) |
Octavius
Darby-So (6-2, 256) |
OT |
James
Newby-Sr (6-5, 295) |
Julian
Williams-Fr (6-5, 292) |
OG |
Kalani
Heppe-Jr (6-3, 300) |
Yomi
Ojo-Jr (6-4, 320) |
C |
Leroy
Harris-Sr (6-3, 300) |
Luke
Lathan-Jr (6-4, 292) |
OG |
Curtis
Crouch-So (6-5, 344) |
Meares
Green-So (6-4, 295) |
OT |
Jon
Holt-Sr (6-6, 296) |
Jerrail
McCuller-Fr (6-7, 342) |
K |
John
Deraney-Sr (6-4, 224) |
.. |
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2006
DEFENSE |
Defensive
Line
We
usually don’t talk about departed
players excessively, but in losing an unprecedented
three first-round NFL draft choices here
and the 52.5 TFLs they represent, you can
plainly see the implications. But there
is talent that just has to take a step back
so it can come together to maximize its
own high potential. It starts inside with
DeMario Pressley, the nation’s No.1
tackle in the 2004 recruiting class. With
4.8 speed, he is destined to make his own
legacy, even as he takes on two blockers
(least of all freeing up his line mates).
Senior strongman “Tank” Tyler
is another proven commodity who will assure
little running production is accomplished
inside the tackles. These two have to stay
healthy for State to have any shot at remaining
dominant against foes’ ground games.
Outside, end Littleton Wright is a JUCO-transfer
who has the pedigree needed to step in for
the departees. But he, along with RS frosh
Willie Young, are not yet up to the speed
of what real game reps will bring. Young
is an excellent athlete who won’t
take long to prove his own worth. Martel
Brown slides from the inside to end to give
needed depth, and along with John Amanchukwu,
provide the only real depth. This year’s
class is surprisingly light for DLmen, so
expect the Pack to struggle to find 60 minutes
of top performance here.
Linebacker
With
the influx of quality RBs/FBs and State’s
needs here, Reggie Davis has been converted
into a LB. Clogging the weakside is a new
position that will take time for the senior
to master, but he has the speed to cover
ground and the size to really stick ball-carriers.
Speaking of repositioning, the strongside
has two juniors, converted-DE James Martin
and ex-DB LeRue Rumph, vying for the start.
Martin is actually the faster of the two,
but Rumph has more experience here and his
three fumble recoveries last year led the
squad. MLB Pat Lowery is the only one who
has played here consistently, though this
will be the senior’s first year starting.
This former state champion wrestler has
huge shoes to fill, but the prep résumé
to be a true weapon in the middle. Still,
Lowery, like the rest of this corps, will
be spread thin helping the DL, so underneath
coverages could suffer. And again, like
many other of State’s units, injuries
to these starters would not bode well, for
the drop-off in their depth here is considerable.
Defensive
Back
The
DBs are definitively the strength of the
’06 defense. Safeties Garland Heath
(rover) and Miguel Scott (free) anchor the
secondary with starting experience and size.
Junior Scott also competes for the school’s
track team (7.02 second in the 60), and
hits like a cannon. Senior Scott (225lbs)
is just as fast and his nose for the ball
(five INTs) is uncanny. Corner A.J. Davis
is even faster (4.3) and has great recovery
ability, and with his track record (24’10”
best long jump; 6’9” high jump)
for the Pack, it is no wonder when foes
throw away from wherever this senior is.
The new guy, though he has seen mucho time
as a nickelback, is Jimmie Sutton, III.
Sutton (7.03 in the 60) will become the
new starter at the other corner, and should
have a great year, for opponents pick their
poison regardless of which corner they decide
to throw against. Junior Philip Holloman
doesn’t miss a beat when inserted
(nickel), and the two sophomore Neals (J.C.
and Levin, not related) are both fast converted
WRs who bring their experience on the other
side of the ball to bear. The Wolfpack has
had a top 10 pass efficiency defense the
past two years (1st in ’04, 8th last
year), and expect nothing less than another
superior showing as they shut foes down
at the most important times. The only dimension
that could change their impact is how much
support they will have to give to stopping
the run.
DEFENSIVE
BREAKDOWN
Many
expecting State to take a huge step back
here due to five NFL draft choices (and
one rookie free agent) vacating will be
surprised when Amato and DC Steve Dunlap
field another amazing bunch. The secondary
will only suffer statistical compromise(s)
as they help out early in run support, but
three of four starters (and their main proven
nickel back moves into the new CB slot)
return to lock down opposing WRs. It will
not take long for the front seven to imitate
their predecessors, with an already strong
inside presence. It seems to be the fact
that three of their LBs have been repositioned
that causes us any concern. Only MLB Lowery
is used to his place, but in replacing the
team’s top tackler (Tulloch), much
has to be proven by this corps to guarantee
that the Pack is back on D. Amato is a defensive
maven and a master motivator, so expect
these 11 to still win games when the offense
struggles.
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DB
Garland Heath (PHOTO BY: Peyton Williams)
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NORTH
CAROLINA STATE 2006 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players |
DEFENSE |
DE |
Willie
Young-Fr (6-5, 230) |
Martrel
Brown-Jr (6-2, 290) |
DT |
DeMario
Pressley-Jr (6-4, 293) |
Teddy
Larsen-Fr (6-2, 265)
Alan-Michael Cash-Fr (6-0, 291) |
DT |
Tank
Tyler-Sr (6-2, 305) |
John
Bedics-So (6-4, 283) |
DE |
Littleton
Wright-Jr (6-6, 244) |
John
Amanchukwu-Sr (6-4, 283) |
SLB |
LeRue
Rumph-Jr (6-2, 225) |
Ernest
Jones-Jr (6-2, 217) |
MLB |
Pat
Lowery-Sr (6-1, 242) |
James
Martin-Jr (6-1, 236) |
WLB |
Reggie
Davis-Sr (6-0, 246) |
Ray
Michel-Fr (6-0, 224) |
CB |
Jimmie
Sutton-Jr (5-11, 181) |
Phillip
Holloman-Jr (5-11, 194) |
CB |
A.J.
Davis-Sr (5-10, 191) |
Levin
Neal-So (5-10, 191)
Jeremy Gray-So (6-2, 190) |
ROV |
Garland
Heath-Sr (6-2, 225) |
DaJuan
Morgan-So (6-2, 207) |
FS |
Miguel
Scott-Jr (6-0, 203) |
J.C.
Neal-So (6-0, 191) |
P |
John
Deraney-Sr (6-4, 224) |
.. |
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2006
SPECIAL TEAMS |
Kicker/Punter
John
Deraney is the chosen kicking weapon in both categories,
and his huge leg has few weakpoints. Deraney averages
over 40 per punt and about half of those are either
fair-caught or inside the 20. Too, nearly half
of his kickoffs are touchbacks (63+ average).
He seems to struggle from outside the 40 in FGAs,
and with their struggling offense of late, this
could affect game results if this inconsistency
continues. Most surprising, though, is how marginal
the net results were in ’05, but we should
see this defensive juggernaut gain ground here.
Return
Game
Darrell Blackman is just as trusted as Deraney,
holding down both return spots. Blackman did everything
on KOs besides take one to the house, but his
backup is listed as Andre Brown, so advantage
Wolfpack no matter how you slice it.
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