The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1000643
92 ■ THE WOLFPACKER CORNERBACKS A PROMISING GROUP NC State's Corners Are Not Proven, But Are Deep In Talent BY MATT CARTER W hen cornerbacks coach and assistant head coach for de- fense George Barlow sat down to talk about his corner- backs, he is first asked about his most experienced returner in junior Nick McCloud. "My only experienced guy," Barlow quickly added. Barlow, however, is not daunted. He knows his corners will be tested whether they are proven or not because of the nature of offenses in college football. What gives the coach some peace of mind is that he feels through recruiting and a couple position changes, the cornerbacks room has more talent that he's previously had at NC State. "I'm looking forward to coaching them because I know they have the ability to be able to do some of the things we're asking them to do," Barlow said. McCloud is the known commodity of the group. He has eight career starts to his credit and has played in 23 games, notching 48 tackles, one interception and 10 passes broken up. Barlow noted McCloud put it all together this spring. "He became a much better player physically and mentally, and the production and the confidence and all those things showed," he said. "We just need to continue with that this summer and have a chance to Junior Nick McCloud has eight career starts to his credit and is the one corner with significant playing experience on defense. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN ■ By The Numbers 4 Interceptions made by NC State's cornerbacks a year ago. The rest of the defense combined for 10 picks. 4 Scholarship corners who are at least six-foot tall. NC State has made it a point of emphasis to get taller at the position. 4.48 Seconds for fifth-year senior cornerback Maurice Trowell in a laser-timed 40-yard dash. That would have tied for 15th at the position at the 2018 NFL Combine.