Three things to watch in NC State Wolfpack football spring game: Defense

“Kickoff” will be at 1 p.m. at Carter-Finley Stadium in a format that has yet to be announced. It will be the one and only chance to get a good glimpse of the Wolfpack before its season opener on Thursday, Sept. 2 in Raleigh against visiting South Florida.

Spring games can be notoriously misleading, but there is some value and information that can be gleaned from the scrimmage.

Here are three things to watch on defense:

What Combinations Are Used On The Defensive Line

Head coach Dave Doeren has raved about the improvement of sophomore Savion Jackson, praising how the former touted prospect has turned it loose this spring. Jackson is one of several defensive linemen looking to leave a lasting mark in the spring before heading into the offseason strength and conditioning program.

Last year, Jackson had 20 tackles, including two for loss and a sack, while starting four games and playing in all 12.

“He's kind of let that fear of failure go, and he's making a lot more plays,” Doeren noted. “He's a lot more disruptive, and he's been fun to watch this spring."

Another is redshirt freshman C.J. Clark, who is looking to replace All-American Alim McNeill at nose tackle. Clark started a pair of games in 2020 and finished with 24 tackles and three quarterback hurries. Doeren noted that Clark has the potential to be a more disruptive nose than McNeill.

Clark’s classmate, Joshua Harris, is hoping that his improved conditioning will allow him to potentially grab more snaps beyond his role as a goal-line specialist last fall, and freshman Davin Vann is looking to translate his athleticism onto the field after getting his feet wet last season.

The spring game though will not paint a complete picture of the defensive line. Redshirt freshman Terrell Dawkins, who had nine tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks as a rookie, is out this spring with an injury, and incoming Florida State transfer Cory Durden will not arriving until after he graduates from Florida State, though Pro Football Focus expects the latter to be one of the nation's top transfers.

How Do The Young Linebackers Look?

This spring represented a golden opportunity for linebackers. Returning leading tackler and All-ACC pick Payton Wilson, a redshirt sophomore, and sophomore Drake Thomas, who started all 10 games he played last year, are in rehab from offseason surgeries and will not participate.

Plus, NC State lost redshirt sophomore Calvin Hart Jr., a prominent backup that had 18 tackles (including three for loss and two sacks) and tied for the team lead with two forced fumbles. He transferred in the offseason to Illinois.

Team captain and starter Isaiah Moore, a redshirt junior, is back after making 94 tackles, including 11 for loss and three sacks, in 2020. Also expected to participate in the spring game is redshirt junior Vi Jones, the former USC transfer who started four games in 2020 and had 35 tackles, including five for loss and three sacks, while also shining on special teams with three blocked kicks.

But beyond Moore and Jones, the spring game represents a chance for players like sophomore Jaylon Scott, freshmen Devon Betty and Jayland Parker, and early enrollees Caden Fordham and Jordan Poole to get valuable reps.

How Do The Transfers Impact The Secondary?

NC State returns the bulk of its secondary from last season, but the competition was increased with the additions of a pair of transfers in Florida State’s Cyrus Fagan and Marshall’s Derrek Pitts Jr.

Pitts had 42 tackles, including 1.5 for loss, and broke up three passes in nine games this past season for Marshall, making starts at both strong and free safety. Fagan started five games in 2019 for the Seminoles, making 41 tackles, an interception, a fumble recovery and two pass breakups.

“Both have been great additions to our back end,” Doeren said. “They're competing. I'm not going to say they're starting right now because they're not, but they're competing every day and making us better, and there's great competition.”

There are a lot of ways the competition can go in the secondary, with corners sophomore Cecil Powell, redshirt freshman Shyheim Battle and freshman Aydan White all back after getting starting experience in 2020. Also returning are the regular starters at safety — junior Tanner Ingle and sophomore Jakeen Harris.

Junior Tyler Baker-Williams is also back at nickel.

Not participating in the spring will be some prominent names in the competition — junior corner Teshaun Smith, sophomore safety Rakeim Ashford and versatile freshman Devan Boykin.