NC State defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Dave Huxtable has been at the helm for four springs in Raleigh, and he admitted Thursday afternoon this was the most comfortable he has ever felt with his unit heading into the annual Kay Yow Spring Game.

There is probably good justification for that. He has a defense loaded with experience. The Pack lost just three seniors from the two deep last year: corner Juston Burris, safety Hakim Jones and defensive end Mike Rose. It’s not out of the question that the starting lineup could feature entirely juniors and seniors.

“They are so much older, smarter, confident, in position better and playing with a lot of confidence and great communication,” Huxtable noted. “It’s been a lot of fun to watch them practice.”

Defensive Line

Huxtable joked that it took him about six spring practices to fully become accustomed to junior Bradley Chubb wearing new jersey No. 9 after being No. 49 the previous two years. Chubb was apparently easy to spot though.

After playing linebacker as a true freshman, Chubb moved to defensive end last spring and became a regular starter in 2015. He started all 13 contests and was second on the team with 69 tackles, 12 tackles for losses and 5.5 sacks. He also had a team-high eight quarterback hurries and co-team best three forced fumbles.

Amongst all the defensive linemen this spring, Chubb continued to be a standout.

“If I had to point somebody out, it would be Chubb,” Huxtable said.

Others, though, have impressed the defensive coordinator. He felt that sophomore defensive tackle Eurndraus Bryant was much improved and was happy with the reps that redshirt freshmen defensive ends Emmanuel Olenga and Tyrone Riley were able to get.

“They are still in the learning process,” Huxtable said about Olenga and Riley. “They were on the scout field last year and are now learning the system, but they have done a nice job.”

Linebacker

Depth is a concern for Huxtable at the group he coaches on a daily basis. The Pack looked at junior safety Germaine Pratt at the position strictly for that reason before he moved back to his original spot, the coach said. However, he does like how his projected starters, redshirt junior Jerod Fernandez and junior Airius Moore, have led the way.

In particular, Fernandez could have a bounce-back season of sorts awaiting him, based on the spring. He was second on the team in tackles (by two) with 78 as a rookie. Last year, Fernandez’s production dipped to 47 tackles, seventh best on the roster, and he was benched for five games in the second half of the year.

“I think Jerod Fernandez had an outstanding spring,” Huxtable said. “He has gotten himself in the best condition he’s been in since he’s been here. He has shed some pounds. He is moving so much quicker and faster and with better control.

“Him and Airius together just know the defense so well.”

Huxtable also complimented the improvement from sophomore Riley Nicholson, who started four games as a rookie and had 31 tackles, including three for loss.

Secondary

A subtle change at secondary could pay dividends for the defense. Junior Shawn Boone moved to strong safety, and redshirt junior Josh Jones is now at free safety.

“I’ll tell you who’s had a great spring is Shawn Boone,” Huxtable said. “Shawn has just been remarkable in being dependable, being in position, being a leader of that side of the field and communicating the calls, getting everybody on the same page. He’s just a technician.

“Josh Jones has really done a good job over at free safety position. He’s more into the boundary and has done a really nice job picking that up.”

Depth could be stronger at safety thanks to the improvement from redshirt sophomore Dexter Wright, who had a pair of special teams tackles as a rookie.

“Dexter was on the scout field last year, played some special teams, got a lot of reps this spring and has shown to be a guy that is dependable and can go into a game,” Huxtable added.

The nickel position is set with the return of the duo of senior Dravious Wright and fifth-year senior Niles Clark. At corner, senior Jack Tocho, whom Huxtable noted probably led the defense in interceptions this spring, and junior Mike Stevens have a lot of experience.

The biggest question is who would fill in the depth behind Tocho and Stevens? It is a competition that will get picked back up in the fall when some touted recruits arrive on campus. In the meantime, a pair of converts to the position have earned positive first reviews.

“We moved [fifth-year senior] Johnathan Alston over from wide receiver,” Huxtable explained. “He picked things up really fast and has worked really hard at it. [Cornerbacks] Coach [George] Barlow has done a great job in teaching him the fundamentals and techniques. I’ve been really, really excited about him.

“[Sophomore] Freddie Phillips moved over from nickel. He had a very, very solid spring. He’s big and strong and athletic. Him and Johnathan give us some height at the corner position.”

Read more about NC State’s practices in The Wolfpacker’s spring football headquarters