NC State Wolfpack Team Preview 2009

July 15th, 2009 by Jeremy Shory

nc-state-logo1 2008 overall record: 6-7

2008 conference record: 4-4

Returning starters: Offense: 7, Defense: 7, Punter/Kicker: 1

Top returns: QB Russell Wilson, WR Owen Spencer, C Ted Larsen DT Alan Michael Cash, DE Willie Young, LB Nate Irving, PK Josh Czajkowski, TB Toney Baker, WR T.J. Graham, LB Ray Michel, TB Jamelle Eugene, CB DeAndre Morgan

Key losses: TE Anthony Hill, HB Andre Brown, S J.C. Neal, CB Jeremy Gray, DT Keith Willis, OG John Bedics, OG Meares Green

Fall Fantasy Question

Depth at Safety for Strong Defense. Can the Pack get safety Javon Walker back in secondary? Walker tore his ACL in the second-to-last game of 2008. As a freshman he was starting, but he missed the spring. He is expected back this fall and could be the best player in secondary.

QB Russell Wilson (thanks ISM.com)

Quarterback – The Wolfpack are loaded at the quarterback position. As only a redshirt freshman, Russell Wilson was named First Team All-ACC. In 275 attempts, Wilson only threw one interception and led the ACC in passing efficiency with 1,955 yards. A threat to run as well, Wilson had almost 400 yards rushing in 2008. As a backup the Wolfpack have Mike Glennon, a four-star quarterback from the class of 2008. Glennon is more a traditional dropback passer, and at 6’6″ has great height for a quarterback 2008 Stats: Wilson – 150 for 275, 1,955 yards, 17 TDs, 1 INT, 116 Carries for 394 yards, 4 TDs.

ACC Rank – 1

Running Back – The Wolfpack have the potential to carry a very solid backfield this season. Senior Tony Baker has missed nearly two full seasons with a knee injury. In 2006, Baker was the Wolfpack’s leading rusher with 688 yards. He joins the team’s second leading rusher from 2008, Jamelle Eugene who had 442 yards. If Baker can return to his 2006 form, the Pack will have a nice running-back tandem. 2008 Stats: Eugene – 95 rushes for 442 yards, 2 TDs, 26 receptions for 224 yards. 2006 Stats: Baker – 157 rushes for 688 yards, 6 TDs, 21 receptions for 177 yards.

RB Jamelle Eugene

Wide Receiver – So who are the lucky recipients of Russel Wilson’s passes? Owen Spencer has made several first or second All-ACC preseason teams for 2009. Last year he had 31 receptions for 691 yards and five touchdowns. Javaris Williams at 6-4 was third on the team with 26 receptions for 432 yards. Sophomore T.J. Graham is the fastest of the bunch. If junior Donald Bowens returns to his 2007 form where he caught 41 passes, the Wolfpack are probably No. 1 on this list. 2008 Stats: Spencer – 31 for 691 yards, 5 TDs. Williams – 26 for 432 yards, 4 TDs. Graham – 16 for 251 yards.

ACC Rank – 2

Tight End – TE George Bryan is a solid pass catcher. Don’t expect a whole lot out of the tight end this year as the Wolfpack is stacked at wide out. 2008 Stats: None to report.

ACC Rank – 8

Defense – NC State lost a couple of people on defense in the form of safety J.C. Neal, cornerback Jeremy Gray, and defensive tackle Keith Willis. However, Tom O’Brien has been a recruiting fiend since staking his claim in the state and has enough talent to replace those players. Returning 7 members on defense is going to be huge as the offense should be extremely competitive and defense will help close the games out. Watch linebacker Nate Irving and cornerback DeAndre Morgan have great season.

ACC Rank – 5

Kicker/Special Teams – NC State has a good kicker returning in 2009 in Josh Czajkowski. He made all but one extra point last year and was in the mid 80% range on field goals. The best thing about Czajkowski is the number of opportunities he is going to have this year. They should resemble what he had previously, which was a fare amount of scoring opportunities for a kicker. T.J. Graham had a kick return for a touchdown last year and he will look to do it again this year. 2008 Stats: Czajkowski – 33 for 34 extra points, 16 for 19 field goals, longest field goal was 42 yards.

ACC Rank – 2

2009 Schedule

Sept. 5 South Carolina
Sept. 12 Murray State
Sept. 19 Gardner-Webb
Sept. 26 Pittsburgh
Oct. 3 at Wake Forest
Oct. 10 Duke
Oct. 17 at Boston College
Oct. 31 at Florida State
Nov. 7 Maryland
Nov. 14 Clemson
Nov. 21 at Virginia Tech
Nov. 28 North Carolina

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