The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/337646
JULY 2014 ■ 63 FOOTBALL 2014 BY RYAN TICE T ight ends and fullbacks coach Eddie Faulkner is sure of one thing heading into the 2014 campaign — there won't be many teams in the country with as much of a physical presence at the position as the Wolfpack's tight ends. The seven players on the roster average 6-4½ and 251.3 pounds, and the lone fullback, fifth-year senior Tyler Purvis, is no small load either at 6-2 and 226 pounds. "When the freshmen get here, we'll have one of the best looking groups of tight ends in the country," Faulkner noted. However, the physically advanced group is very green on the col- lege level. Redshirt sophomore David J. Grinnage emerged as the team's starter last year and finished with 15 catches for 150 yards and a touchdown, but the only other experienced tight end is redshirt junior Benson Browne, who is still looking for his first career catch. Faulkner has seen both make great strides from when he first arrived prior to last spring, and both are monstrous targets with near identical size. "My biggest problem with David — and this is a daily conversation — is that he's got to realize he's 6-5, 270 pounds," the coach explained. "He can run, he's athletic, but he's got to understand who he is. When that triggers in his head, he could be a really good player. He's unbeliev- ably talented for a guy that size. "I'd be remiss if I didn't tell you that Benson has really stepped up. Two springs ago, it seemed like he was a long ways off. This spring, it just clicked. He's probably our best point-of-attack blocker. He's smart, he knows what he's doing, he can catch, he's big and he can run." Head coach Dave Doeren singled out Browne for his outstanding spring, while Faulkner is pleased to see a guy that has always been everything a coach wants off the field put it together between the lines. "Just being a guy who hasn't played a lot of football, he's hungry," Faulkner said. "Benson has really excelled in a lot of those off-the-field areas, and now he has to produce on the field. Those two are great fits for what we're doing, and if they continue to grow off of each other, we'll have a really good group." The mentor is also excited about his incoming freshmen. Rookies Garrett Bradbury, Cole Cook and Micah Till will replenish the depth and get a chance to battle for playing time. "All three of those guys have a chance to be special," Faulkner said. "Right now, it's just going to be about who is most ready to play and who fits where. I think one of them, if not two, are going to have to play just to create some depth at the position." Walk-ons Devin O'Connor, a redshirt sophomore, and Lucas Wil- son, a redshirt freshman, will also be in the mix, while rookie Jaylen Samuels, who is listed on the roster as a running back, is a wild card. "He is exactly the guy you would want in this offense," Faulkner noted. "Jaylen is unique because he can play literally every position, but on the line. That's what he did in high school — he played receiver, tight end and in the backfield — so the way we see him fitting is all of those things. "We think he's special, so we're really excited about getting him up here." Despite the nomadic promise of Samuels, the fullback position will most likely be manned by Purvis, whom Faulkner noted is an outstand- ing receiver and intelligent. The fullback isn't always on the field for NC State, but he holds a crucial role, especially in the ground attack. "Those guys have to make everything right in the run game," Faulkner said. "They have to have a quarterback-type of outlook on the game because they're behind everybody and can see if the blocks are made. If they understand what people are supposed to do, they can make it right by cleaning it up. "They're a very important part of our offense, and we have some guys there that are smart, tough and can make things right. Devin O'Connor has really worked at it. Tyler Purvis played a lot of football last year and has some of the best hands I've ever been around. "I'm pleased with those guys and they'll give us some good depth going forward." ■ Tight Ends Roster STARTER No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 86 David J. Grinnage R-So. 6-5 273 Newark, Del. Wrestled the starting spot from Asa Watson last year. He must improve as a blocker, but is a mismatch in the passing game with a huge frame and soft hands. RESERVE No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 89 Benson Browne R-Jr. 6-5 267 Cincinnati Has played only 29 snaps from scrimmage in his career, but was recognized numerous times for an outstanding spring. Tight ends and fullbacks coach Eddie Faulkner said he is solid in every area. WAITING IN THE WINGS No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 38 Garrett Bradbury Fr. 6-4 250 Charlotte Was overshadowed at Charlotte Christian by four-star tight end Jeb Blazevich, but is a proven winner on the football field and baseball diamond and will immediately become one of the team's strongest players. 48 Cole Cook Fr. 6-5 235 Carrollton, Ga. Had limited prep statistics after playing in a Wing-T offense, but the three-star prospect was ranked by Rivals.com as the No. 26 tight end in the land. He picked NCSU over Florida State, among others. 44 Devin O'Connor R-So. 6-3 230 Cartersville, Ga. The walk-on from Cartersville High has also played fullback and is outstanding on special teams. He has a big fan in Faulkner, who said: "He's everything that a coach would want." 85 Micah Till Fr. 6-6 270 Upper Marlboro, Md. The two-way standout was a first-team all-state pick as a senior defensive lineman and also shined on the basketball court, where he was an honorable mention All-Met pick by The Washington Post. 83 Lucas Wilson R-Fr. 6-5 234 Winston-Salem, N.C. He earned scholarship offers at Mount Tabor High, but then battled injuries as a senior. He was invited to walk-on at NC State and redshirted last fall. Fullback Roster STARTER No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 47 Tyler Purvis 5th-Sr. 6-2 226 Reinholds, Pa. Started six games last season and logged a dozen catches. He has 32 career appearances and three touchdown receptions. Year-By-Year Leading Tight End Receiver Year Name Catches Yards 2013 David J. Grinnage 15 150 2012 Mario Carter 34 367 2011 George Bryan 33 331 2010 George Bryan 35 369 2009 George Bryan 40 422 2008 Anthony Hill 19 234 2007 Marcus Stone 36 452 2006 Anthony Hill 45 478 2005 T.J. Williams 36 407 2004 T.J. Williams 31 382 Redshirt sophomore David J. Grinnage became the team's starter at tight end last year, recording 15 catches for 150 yards and a touchdown. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN TIGHT ENDS AND FULLBACKS PLENTY TO PROVE The Tight Ends And Fullbacks Are Inexperienced, But Should Be Ready To Emerge 62-64.TEs and FBs.indd 63 6/27/14 12:19 PM