The scene was grim for the Wolfpack football team and its faithful fans last December, as Mississippi State players danced in the end zone among the raindrops and cowbells. The Bulldogs had dismantled the NC State defense by passing for 380 yards and running up 51 points.
The game was a microcosm of the 2015 Wolfpack defense, a unit that struggled to stop the run and gave up big plays all too regularly.
The 2016 season would have to be different, with a tougher schedule awaiting the Wolfpack and an uncertain offense playing with a new quarterback and coordinator. And save for one terrible Saturday in Louisville, the season was an overwhelming success for the Wolfpack defense.
The Wolfpack finished as the No. 24 ranked defense in the country and finished an outstanding 8th in the country against the run.
The Wolfpack defense held excellent quarterbacks like Clemson’s Deshaun Watson, Miami (FL)’s Brad Kaaya, North Carolina’s Mitch Trubisky and Notre Dame’s DeShone Kizer in check.
After a successful 2016 campaign, here are the defensive grades for the Wolfpack.
Defensive Line: A
The defensive line, anchored by senior Bradley Chubb, was hyped up to be one of the best units in the ACC before the season. It did not disappoint.
Chubb led the Wolfpack with 22 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks. Sophomore Darian Roseboro had a breakout campaign, tallying seven sacks in his second campaign. Even senior Kentavius Street got in on the action, notching 5.5 sacks this season.
The defensive line was expected to be a difference-making unit and it delivered in 2016. The pressure will be on with most of the unit returning in 2017.
Linebackers: B
Senior linebacker Airius Moore was a beast for the Wolfpack, earning 13.5 tackles for loss this season. Paired with senior Jerod Fernandez, they will return to provide a high level duo at the linebacker position in 2017.
The Wolfpack will have to replace Dravious Wright and his 64 tackles at the nickel position.
Cornerbacks: C+
Jack Tocho and senior Mike Stevens combined to play a majority of the snaps at the cornerback positions and held their own, never playing at an elite level. The unit will lose Tocho this season, a huge blow to the secondary. Replacing him will be the top priority this fall.
Safeties: B+
After a terrible 2015 campaign, redshirt junior Josh Jones vowed to be better in 2016 and came through on that promise. Jones led the team in tackles (109) and interceptions (three) in a terrific season. Unfortunately for the Wolfpack, Jones is headed to the NFL and his production goes with him.
In his place will most likely be either redshirt sophomore Jarius Morehead or redshirt junior Dexter Wright, both of whom played at a high level in brief playing time this season.
Playing alongside them will be senior Shawn Boone, who had an overall solid year and returns as the incumbent starter.
Special Teams: C
The special teams ranking does not just include the kickers, but also the kickoff and punt return defense, both of which NC State ranged from mediocre to bad. The Wolfpack ranked 121st in punt return defense, giving up an average of 14.89 yards on returns.
Kickoff returns were better but not great, as the Wolfpack ranked 60th in return defense, giving up 20.4 yards per return. This was partially a result of the kickers, who provided few touchbacks this season.
The Wolfpack will be tasked with replacing Tocho, Jones and Wright next season, but the majority of the front seven returns for another year, making the Pack once again a formidable unit.
The biggest concern will be in the secondary, where the Wolfpack lacks shut down corners to match up with elite ACC wide receivers.
Either way, the Wolfpack was right to give defensive coordinator Dave Huxtable an extra year to bring this Wolfpack defense to an elite unit. Next year will bring added pressure of high expectations, coupled with another tough schedule featuring foes like South Carolina and Notre Dame.
The Wolfpack may live and die with the performance of this unit again, which may not be such a bad thing after all.
Junior linebackers Jerod Fernandez and Airius Moore tackle Boston College's sophomore wide receiver Michael Walker in Carter-Finley Stadium on Saturday. Fernandez has five unassisted tackles and seven assisted tackles. Moore has three unassisted tackles and three assisted tackles. Walker has six receptions with total of 78 yards. The game against Boston College ended with a 21-14 loss for NC State.
