8/7/2017 football Edit

Players talk surprises, impressive freshmen thus far in fall camp

Matt Carter • TheWolfpackCentral

Editor

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Freshman defensive tackle Grant Gibson is one of the young players already turning heads. (Ken Martin/The Wolfpacker)

During NC State’s media day, we asked several players the same two questions: who has surprised you the most thus far in football camp and which freshman has stood out?

Here are some of the responses:

Redshirt junior right tackle Will Richardson:

Surprise: “[Fifth-year senior] running back Dakwa Nichols … seeing a lot of him with practice, even if he is not getting the ball, he’s always sticking his head in to help us block. And also Brady Bodine, too, also a running back. They do a really good job taking extra reps.”

Freshman: “I’d have to say freshman Josh Fedd-Jackson on the offensive line. He’s been doing a really good job with staying in, learning plays and getting extra work and finishing people at practice.”

Senior linebacker Airius Moore:

Surprise: “I would say [redshirt freshman linebacker] Brock Miller is doing a great job. He’s improved so much from the spring to now, and I told him that the other day and Coach Hux told him that, too. We’re just seeing a lot of growth in him and want to continue to see him get better.”

Freshman: “[Linebacker] Louis [Acceus], he’s done a really good job learning the defense. He started out as a Will and is now trying to learn Mike. He’s doing a good job.”

Fifth-year senior wide receiver JuMichael Ramos:

Freshman: “[Receiver] Emeka [Emezie] has a lot of the talent. He’s just not as big and strong as us right now, but his footwork and being able to catch the ball, being able to routes. He has a lot in store for him. He’s been doing good.”

Senior safety Shawn Boone:

Surprise: “[Fifth-year senior conerback] Johnathan Alston has been doing a really good job and [redshirt junior] Germaine Pratt for our defense. Those two guys. Pratt really bouncing off the spring, and he’s doing a really good job. Same thing with Johnathan Alston. He has a lot of great talent. He’s going to help us on the back end.”

Freshman: “Defensively, it would be the linebacker Louis [Acceus]. He’s stepped in and had a few good reps and been doing a pretty good job. Offensively, the guard from Jersey, [Joshua Fedd-Jackson], he’s been doing a good job, too. When I watched them, he’s been doing a really good job.”

Senior defensive end Bradley Chubb:

Surprise and freshman: “We have a lot of great young guys that are stepping up, but off the top of my head I would have to say Emeka [Emezie] at the wide receiver spot. From what I’ve seen, he’s been doing pretty good. [NCSU wide receiver] Coach [George] McDonald might say something different, but I believe he’s doing pretty good, and Josh Fedd-Jackson’s been doing good.”

Senior defensive end Kentavius Street:

Surprise: “Probably [redshirt sophomore defensive end] James Smith-Williams. He’s made a lot of progress throughout camp. I feel like he’s growing into the athlete that he truly is, and I’m really proud of him.”

Freshman: “I think [defensive tackle] Grant Gibson is going to be promising. I think he needs to get into the playbook a little bit more, but once he masters that he is going to be a really good player for the Wolfpack.”