There was a time not that long ago where NC State might enter a season with three proven linebackers and a lot of unknowns at the position.
Recruiting and player development has turned around the position, making it one of the deepest spots on the squad. Part of it can also be contributed to bad luck, which ended up being good for NC State. Both senior middle linebacker Isaiah Moore and outside linebacker Payton Wilson had NFL aspirations delayed due to season-ending injuries.
Moore and Wilson, combined with the return of junior Drake Thomas has helped NC State be among the top five linebacker units in the country. In turn, the healthy return of the linebackers had led to some impressive hype this summer.
“We are here for a reason and I want to be the best defense in the country,” NCSU defensive coordinator and linebacker coach Tony Gibson said. “That is my goal every year.
“I want that pressure. I want us to be the best and in order to do that, we have to practice that way and play that way. We aren’t running form it. We are running to the roar.”
Gibson also knows he has some quality depth, and that is with Vi Jones leaving early for the NFL and trying to make the Seattle Seahawks. Sophomore Devon Betty, junior Jaylon Scott and redshirt freshmen Jayland Parker and Jordan Poole have made positive strides. If redshirt freshman Caden Fordham bounces back from minor injuries, the Wolfpack could be eight-deep at linebacker position.
The development of the younger guys such as Parker and Poole bodes well for the Wolfpack’s future.
“Jordan has had a really, really good camp,” Gibson said. “He’s preparing well and he’s running with the two’s right now, in and out. He’s in our dime package and doing some things with the pass rush. Jordan has really stepped up and is going to be a good player for us.”
The depth at linebacker has also put NC State in a position to redshirt freshmen linebackers Torren Wright and Daejuan Thompson.
"You sit in a room with Isaiah, Payton and Drake and you just learn from those guys," Gibson said. "You watch how you get to learn things.
"They [Wright, Thompson] are great kids. I told them them, 'Look, you are on scout team now. Injury-wise, you might get pulled up.' Those three weeks of camp that they had were really important to those guys."
NC State sophomore defensive end Davin Vann also drew Gibson’s praise Thursday. Vann started three of 12 games last year, but is expected to solidify one of the defensive end spots.
“It really started in the spring with Davin, and he’s playing at a whole other speed right now in his game,” Gibson said. “His confidence, he’s in the best shape he’s ever been in and he’s getting pushed. We have a lot of guys on that D-Line that have played in games. He’s doing well right now.”
NC State opens up at East Carolina on Sept. 3. The Pirates scored at least 30-plus points in six games last year en route to a 7-5 mark. Like the Wolfpack, the Pirates didn’t get to play in their bowl game against Boston College.
Veteran senior quarterback Holton Ahlers, who NC State passionately recruited out of Greenville (N.C.) Conley High, has gone 812-of-1,388 passing for 10,219 yards, 69 touchdowns and 32 interceptions as a four-year starter. He has also rushed for 1,264 yards and 19 scores.
It remains to be seen how NC State’s veteran defense will do against an experienced quarterback, but there is no question the players will be excited to play a game for the first time since the incredible rally against North Carolina.
“He has a lot of experience and their coordinator [Donnie Kirkpatrick] has a lot of experience,” Gibson said. “They haven’t had any rollover on the offensive side of the ball since 2019.
“He’s [Ahlers] a veteran and he understands the game, and is also a threat to run the ball when he sees something he doesn’t like.”
With so many veteran players on defense, it is now about seeing the game in a more mature fashion.
“We don’t have to spend as much time schematically,” Gibson said. “Where we need to be elite is our communication. We need to see formations and understand situational football — down and distance.”
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