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N.C. State Position Battles You Should Pay Attention to in Fall Camp

Landon Bost

RALEIGH, N.C. – All eyes have been focused on the three-way N.C. State Wolfpack quarterback competition after the departure of Ryan Finley, but the defensive backs may see the most change during fall camp. 

The Wolfpack led the ACC last season in passing offense, and ranked second in rushing defense; however, their passing offense ranked 11th and received much of the blame for losses. 

“We need to create more takeaways on defense, in my opinion,” said seventh-year Wolfpack head coach Dave Doeren. “Offenses are going to get yards. You guys all know the (run-pass-option) world that allows offenses to do things that really aren’t fair in football, to have linemen downfield and throw forward passes is really hard on a defense.  

Wolfpack senior safety Tim Kid-Glass at 2019 Kay Yow Spring Game at Carter-Finley Stadium (Photo courtesy of Landon Bost)
Wolfpack sophomore safety Tim Kid-Glass at 2019 Kay Yow Spring Game at Carter-Finley Stadium (Photo courtesy of Landon Bost)

“The stress gets put on the secondary if you’re a team that wants to stop the run. That’s something I believe in. Our (defensive backs) obviously get a lot of the blame. I don’t think that’s always their fault. A lot of times they’re playing one-on-one; everyone else is trying to defend the run game.”

N.C. State defensive coordinator Dave Huxtable runs a 4-2-5 defense which requires versatility and depth in the secondary. 

“That’s an area that I’m excited to watch during fall camp,” Doeren said when asked about the defensive backs. “We have a lot of competition back there right now. Tanner Ingle is a young safety we’re excited to see compete with Tim (Kidd-Glass). Jarius (Morehead) has benefited a lot from Tony Gibson coming in; looks as good as he’s looked since I’ve been here. He’s lost a bunch of weight. He’s moving better. At the corner position, Teshaun Smith and Taiyon Palmer are guys we’re looking to see compete against Chris Ingram and Nick McCloud, and Kishwan Miller had a really good spring for us. 

Wolfpack sophomore safety De'von Graves intercepting a pass at 2019 Kay Yow Spring Game at Carter-Finley Stadium (Photo courtesy of Landon Bost)
Wolfpack sophomore safety De’von Graves intercepting a pass at 2019 Kay Yow Spring Game at Carter-Finley Stadium (Photo courtesy of Landon Bost)

“And then at the nickel position, Stephen Griffin’s got Tyler Baker-Williams chopping at his heels right now, so there’s real competition back there. De’von Graves is someone who can be a special player in the backend if we can get him to stay healthy and be consistent. He’s probably had one of the best offseasons since the end of spring to now that I’ve seen put together. He’s one of the better athletes we have. So, this fall camp, we have returning players, but there’s guys that can beat them out; so, it’s going to be very competitive.”

(Feature photo courtesy of Landon Bost)