10/9/2017 football Edit

NCSU pair on ESPN's midseason All-American team, Chubb named National DPOY

Matt Carter • TheWolfpackCentral

Editor

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Senior defensive end Bradley Chubb leads the ACC with 6.5 sacks. (Ken Martin/The Wolfpacker)

With the season entering week seven, ESPN.com unveiled its midseason All-American team and it included a pair of Wolfpackers: senior H-back Jaylen Samuels (listed as a tight end) and senior defensive end Bradley Chubb.

Samuels has caught 50 passes for 425 yards and three touchdowns and rushed 25 times for 129 yards and five more scores in the first six games of the season. He is third in the ACC in receptions and tied for fifth in rushing scores.

"While Samuels' position is a bit hazy — he's classified as an H-back — his inclusion on this list shouldn't be," ESPN wrote. "The nation's only player with at least 15 career rushing touchdowns and at least 15 career receiving touchdowns has scored at least one way in all six games (and in both ways against Florida State). He has a reception in 34 consecutive games and has at least five receptions in every game, to go along with three games of five or more rushes."

Chubb has piled up 35 tackles, including 14 for loss and 6.5 sacks, through six games. He leads the FBS nationally in tackles for loss and the ACC in sacks.

"No FBS defender has caused more backfield havoc than Chubb, who leads the FBS with 14 tackles for loss through the first six games," the website wrote. "Anchoring one of the nation's top defensive lines, Chubb has surged in ACC play, collecting five sacks in the first three games. He shined against Florida State, stifling two Seminoles drives near the end of the first half. Opponents knew Chubb could hurt them entering the season, but no one has been able to stop No. 9."

The two have helped NC State get off to a 5-1 start on the season, including 3-0 in the ACC. The Pack is ranked No. 20 in both the coaches and Associated Press polls and will play at Pittsburgh on Saturday.

Chubb was also dubbed the national Defensive Player of the Year at midseason by ESPN's Mark Schlabach (there's also a fan vote available at the link below, which Chubb leads after 8,641 votes).

"Chubb has been a one-man wrecking crew for the surging Wolfpack with 35 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks," the ESPN scribe wrote. "With victories over Florida State and Louisville, NC State has emerged as Clemson’s biggest threat in the ACC Atlantic."