The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/337646
114 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BY MATT CARTER W hen the book closes on the 2009 class, which it will formally do this fall when safety Jarvis Byrd com- pletes his rare sixth year of eligibility, the evalu- ation will reveal that this group had more than its fair share of adversity. Byrd is a good example, having had to endure a torn ACL at the end of his true freshman season in the finale against UNC, then again in the summer of 2011 after making a complete recovery from his first one, and yet again last fall at Wake Forest in week five of the season. Injuries also hampered the careers of others, and in the case of defensive tackle Deion Roberson prevented it from ever starting. Off-the-field issues led to the untimely depar- tures of five players, and five more transferred out. The 2009 class also had the task of being the group of fifth-year seniors that had to deal with a coaching change before their final season. That challenge was made even more difficult by the dramatic changes in schemes under head coach Dave Doeren. Players that were taught a certain way for a specific system for four years had to adjust. Here is a look back at the 2009 recruiting class, breaking down the best players and top performances and delivering the final report card on the group. Hard-Luck Class A Number Of Contributing Factors Led To Struggles For The 2009 Recruiting Class Five Best Players 1. Brandan Bishop: It can be hard to be noticed when you play in the secondary alongside future NFL Draft picks David Amerson and Earl Wolff. Bishop was not the tackler that Wolff was at safety or the ball hawk Amerson proved to be at corner, but he was a very good all-around four-year starting safety for the Wolfpack. His total of 12 picks is tied for fifth all time at NC State, and his mark of 315 career tackles is tied for 17th most in school history. Bishop also has the distinction of being the only player in the class to earn a first- or second-team All-ACC mention after being picked second team by the league's coaches in 2012. 2. Camden Wentz: The impact of an offensive lineman can be difficult to quantify. Wentz, though, solidified the middle of the Pack's line for three consecutive years. During that time there was never a doubt who would be starting at center, and Wentz was honorable mention All-ACC by both the coaches and sportswriters in 2012. 3. Rashard Smith: In his first two seasons, which were sandwiched around the 2010 campaign he sat out with a knee injury, Smith started seven games at cornerback and made 32 tackles, including three for loss and a sack, and broke up two passes. He then moved to receiver for two years and caught 68 passes for 845 yards and eight touchdowns. He led the Pack in catches (49) and receiving yards (530) and tied for the team lead in touchdown receptions (three) last year. To top it off, Smith also returned three punts for touchdowns in his career and tossed a 49-yard scoring pass. His 579 career punt return yards rank sixth all time in school history. 4. Duran Christophe: He was not the most physically gifted lineman, and he did not earn the accolades that Wentz picked up. However, Christophe was almost just as big a mainstay in the line as Wentz, starting 30 games, 27 of them at left guard, over the final three seasons. Ironically, Wentz and Christophe were literally nearby neighbors who met on a recruiting trip to Louisville and then com - mitted after visiting NCSU together. 5. James Washington: His 2011 season quietly was one of the better rushing performances in State history. Washington ran 227 times for 897 yards and seven touch- downs. That was the 13th-best rushing yards total in a season at NC State and best since T.A. McLendon ran for 1,101 yards in 2002. With a similar season in 2012, Washington would have flirted with becoming the 12th running back at NCSU to rush for at least 2,000 career yards. Unfortunately, Washington was nagged with injuries throughout the year, including tearing multiple ligaments in his knee against UNC, ending his career. 114-116,118,120.Class of 2009.indd 114 6/27/14 1:35 PM