In recent years, NC State football and basketball has boasted arguably its most accomplished defensive performer and one if its most prolific scorers, respectively, and Wolfpack athletics has decided to commemorate former defensive end Bradley Chubb and former forward T.J. Warren by having both of their college numbers honored.
Chubb will be the second No. 9 to have his jersey displayed at Carter-Finley Stadium, joining fellow former defensive end Mario Williams, the former No. 1 pick whose name had adorned Chubb's jersey on a patch. The No. 9 football jersey will have a patch that honors both, if head coach Dave Doeren decides to award it to a standout player in the future.
Chubb won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy this past season as college football's best defensive player and finished his career surpassing Williams as NC State's all-time leader in sacks (25.0) and tackles for loss (54.5).
He was also the 2017 ACC Defensive Player of the Year and a consensus All-American. In April, he was picked fifth overall in the first round of the NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos. He joined Williams (first overall in 2006), quarterback Roman Gabriel (second in 1962) and quarterback Philip Rivers (fourth in 2004) as NC State's all-time top-five selections.
"I am very humbled by this honor and wish I could share it with my Wolfpack teammates," Chubb said in a statement released by the school. "NC State will always be a very special place for me, and having my name up in Carter-Finley Stadium is a dream come true. I was very proud to wear No. 9 because of Mario Williams and hope that future players wearing it will be proud to represent me as well."
"Bradley was a special player, and we are so proud of his accomplishments," head coach Dave Doeren added. "In addition to the records he set and the honors he won, he loved his teammates and NC State, and was a great leader. He deserves to have his name next to the other Wolfpack legends, and we look forward to working with him and the Broncos on a date when he can come back to a game in Carter-Finley Stadium."
Warren was the ACC Player of the Year and named a second-team All-American by the Sporting News and Associated Press after averaging 24.9 points per game in 35 contests in 2014. That was the fifth-highest scoring average for a single season in NC State history. Warren's 871 points scored that year are a school record.
He was just the third player in league history to lead the conference in both scoring and field goal percentage (52.5 percent). His career accuracy mark of 55.5 percent is fourth all time at NC State.
During that historic season, Warren broke 40 points in back-to-back games, scoring 41 at Pittsburgh and following it up with 42 against Boston College. He joined David Thompson, Ronnie Shavlik, Rodney Monroe and Kenny Carr as the only players at NC State to have multiple 40-point games.
Warren went pro following his sophomore campaign and was drafted in the first round by the Phoenix Suns. He averaged a career-best 19.8 points per game this past season.
His No. 24 will be alongside Tommy Burleson, Tom Gugliotta, Julius Hodge and John Richter as others who have worn that number and are honored in the PNC Arena rafters.
"I'm very proud to be honored along with all the other former great players in Wolfpack history," Warren said. "NC State is a very special place."
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