Every year, young post-collegiate athletes anxiously await to hear their names called in the NFL Draft after years, and in some cases, well over a decade, of hard work and dedication. This year, 253 players will be selected in the 2017 NFL Draft. While that might seem like a large number, when you take into account that over 1,000 players are entering the draft, that means only about one-quarter of them will be picked.
When you look at the NC State football team, it has only five players who are projected to land a spot on an NFL team after returning most of its starters, whether it be in the draft or on a training camp roster. Let’s take a look at those players’ chances of hearing their names in this year’s draft, which spans from Thursday to Saturday.
Josh Jones, Safety
Jones was the only Wolfpack player this season to forfeit his final year of eligibility in favor of the draft. Jones struggled in coverage in his first two years starting at strong safety but was always an aggressive force and reliable tackler. He struggled to the point where he started losing out on playing time. However, when he switched to free safety, he improved tenfold in coverage while continuing his strong presence in run support. On the year, he led the team with 109 tackles and three interceptions and was second with eight pass deflections.
Additionally, Jones had a stellar performance at the NFL Combine, tallying a 4.41 40-yard dash (third among safeties), 20 bench reps (first) and a 37.5-inch vertical leap (third). His 6-foot-1, 220-pound frame is also the prototypical size for a safety in the big league. His showing at the combine helped his draft stock skyrocket, as he went from a mid-late draft choice to being picked as high as the first round in some mock drafts.
The bottom line is, while Jones has a lot he can continue to improve on, NFL teams love players with superior athleticism and measurables such as Jones, which could lead him to being the highest picked NC State player in recent memory.
Projection: Late-first round to mid-third
Matt Dayes, Running Back
Dayes is the most recognizable name on this list after being a consistent contributor for each of his four years with the Pack and an absolute workhorse in the previous two. After missing the final five games of 2015, Dayes built off his momentum in his senior season with 1,166 yards and 10 touchdowns, including eight 100+ yard performances.
The biggest knocks on Dayes are his below average size and breakaway speed after weighing in at 5-foot-9, 205 lbs and clocking a 4.66 40-yard dash. However, Dayes gives 100 percent every snap and is physically tough for his size, usually not going down on the first hit and supported this with 18 bench reps, good for 11th among running backs.
While Dayes was one of the most important players for the Wolfpack the last two seasons, he is stuck in a crazy-talented running back class that could go down as one of the best in NFL history, which ultimately hurts his draft stock and makes it very unlikely that he’ll come off the board before day three.
Projection: Late-fourth round to mid-sixth
Jack Tocho, Cornerback
Dayes and Jones are really the only former NC State players who are all-but guaranteed a draft selection this year. Tocho is the next-most likely, but he is very much on the bubble. Tocho was another player who was a steady contributor throughout his four years with the team, including three as a full-time starter. He bounced back his senior year after struggling with injuries and inconsistency when he was a junior, tallying two interceptions and a team-high nine pass breakups.
Tocho wasn’t a flashy player, but like Jones, he has measurables going for him. At 6-feet, 202 lbs, he ran a respectable 4.54 40 at the combine and logged 21 bench reps, good for second among cornerbacks. Add in his work ethic and numerous off-the-field accolades and he has given plenty of reasons for an NFL team to take a chance on him.
Projection: Early-seventh round to undrafted
Joe Scelfo, Center
Scelfo only played one season with State after transferring from South Alabama as a graduate student. He added key experience to an offensive line that lost three seniors from the previous season and filled the void left by Quinton Schooley at center. Additionally, Scelfo was one of the top members on the O-Line that helped pave the way for Dayes en route to his 1,000-yard season and protected redshirt junior quarterback Ryan Finley.
However, largely due to spending only one season at a power-five school, there has not been much buzz about him hearing his name called in this year’s draft. That being said, like Schooley did last year with the Steelers, he could end up on a team for training camp and potentially earn a spot on a practice squad during the season.
Projection: Late-seventh round to undrafted
Bra’Lon Cherry, Wide Receiver
Cherry was often a tertiary option in the passing game among a typically underachieving wide receiver group, but did flash big-play potential on occasion, most notably on a 79-yard catch-and-run touchdown against Boston College. One could argue his greatest contributions came as a punt returner, where he was a stellar option and earned ACC honorable mention for his junior season.
Like Scelfo, there hasn’t been much buzz about him getting drafted this weekend, but his versatility could earn him a spot on a training camp roster in the preseason.
Projection: Undrafted
Senior runningback Matt Dayes finally gets a hole from the offensive line and breaks off a 24 yard rush, his longest of the day. Dayes was held fast to 45 yards of rushing on 19 attempts but also had 33 yards through the air during the 21-14 homecoming loss to Boston College on Oct. 29, 2016 in Carter Finley Stadium.
