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The ACC named its preseason all-conference teams on Tuesday and N.C. State has three players representing the Wolfpack. The preseason team was voted on by the media at ACC Kickoff last week in Charlotte. Running back Zonovan 'Bam' Knight, offensive lineman Ikem 'Ikey' Ekwonu and linebacker Payton Wilson were named to the preseason team. Knight, a sophomore from Bailey, led the team with 788 yards and a team-high 10 touchdowns last season, all while splitting carries with Ricky Person, Jr. It was the second straight season Knight led the team in rushing yards. He's been named to the Doak Walker Award (top running back) and Maxwell Award (top player in college football) preseason watch list. - Raleigh News Observer

(DS#22 RB) rSo/2022

RB *Zonovan Knight, North Carolina State
News Source: Raleigh News Observer
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07/26/21 - Payton Wilson, rSr/2024, North Carolina State, 6-4, 233 (DS#2 OLB) + More +

Linebacker Payton Wilson, the leading tackler in the ACC a year ago, didn't shy away from the expectations for his team, especially on his side of the ball. With 10 starters back, N.C. State's defense will be more experienced and battle tested than ever. Having played so many snaps and shown flashes last year, Wilson knows the chance is there for them to be one of the best Wolfpack defenses in a long time. "We want to be the best," Wilson said. "I think we can be the best defense in the ACC, if not the nation. Being plagued with injuries is something that hurt us in the past, but it was a blessing because guys who are now juniors were stuck out there as freshmen and now have playing experience."

Wilson was one of those players thrown into the fire as a redshirt freshman in 2019, when the team finished 4-8. He learned that season that "talent isn't enough" to get by. He has since become a student of the game, along with the rest of the veteran guys who had to learn on the fly. Now they know what to do and, most importantly, what needs to be done. Clemson, a divisional foe, has long sat on the throne atop the ACC. The Tigers come to Raleigh on Sept. 25, an early chance to see if the Pack is all talk or ready to take that next step. The Pack will find out if it is contenders or pretenders pretty early on in the season. "Living up to that expectation, it's not pressure," Wilson said. "It's more excitement. We want to be there, we want to knock the big man off the table." - Raleigh News Observer

(DS#2 OLB) rSr/2024

OLB Payton Wilson, North Carolina State
News Source: Raleigh News Observer
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07/22/21 - Grayson McCall, rSr/2025, North Carolina State, 6-2, 221 (DS#999 QB) + More +

Coastal Carolina redshirt sophomore quarterback Grayson McCall was named the 2021 Sun Belt Conference Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, as 11 total Chanticleers picked up Preseason All-Sun Belt honors, the league announced on Tuesday. In addition to the preseason all-conference teams, the Sun Belt Conference also announced the 2021 Sun Belt Conference Football Preseason Coaches Poll which saw the Chanticleers receive six first-place votes but finish tied with Appalachian State with 44 total points atop of the East Division preseason rankings. The Chants and Mountaineers were in front of Georgia State (24 points), Georgia Southern (20), and Troy (18) in the East Division predictions, while in the West Division preseason poll Louisiana led the way with nine first-place votes and a total of 49 points. On top of being named the Sun Belt Conference Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, McCall was also named to the Preseason All-Sun Belt first team. He was joined on the preseason all-conference first team by senior tight end Isaiah Likely, senior wide receiver Jaivon Heiligh, redshirt senior bandit end Jeffrey Gunter, super senior defensive tackle C.J. Brewer, super senior linebacker Silas Kelly, and senior cornerback D'Jordan Strong. - Coastal Carolina Football

(DS#999 QB) rSr/2025

QB Grayson McCall, North Carolina State
News Source: Coastal Carolina Football
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07/22/21 - Grayson McCall, rSr/2025, North Carolina State, 6-2, 221 (DS#999 QB) + More +

The Davey O'Brien Foundation revealed the 2021 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award watch list today, a group that includes Coastal Carolina redshirt sophomore quarterback Grayson McCall. Compiled by a subset of the Davey O'Brien National Selection Committee, this year's 30-member list was selected based on career player performance and expectations heading into the 2021 college football season. All nominees are required to have previously started at least one game at an NCAA Division I institution.

Twelve of the watch list members, including McCall, are previous Davey O'Brien Award semifinalists, including a trio of two-time semifinalists in Miami's D'Eriq King (2018, 2020), Florida State's McKenzie Milton (2017, 2018), and Iowa State's Brock Purdy (2019, 2020). The other previous semifinalists are Utah's Charlie Brewer (2019), Matt Corral of Ole Miss (2020), UCF's Dillon Gabriel (2020), Sam Howell of North Carolina (2020), Tanner Morgan of Minnesota (2019), Indiana's Michael Penix Jr. (2020), Spencer Rattler of Oklahoma (2020), and Cincinnati's Desmond Ridder (2020). - Coastal Carolina Football

(DS#999 QB) rSr/2025

QB Grayson McCall, North Carolina State
News Source: Coastal Carolina Football
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07/21/21 - Brennan Armstrong, rSr/2024, North Carolina State, 6-1, 199 (DS#24 QB) + More +

Brennan Armstrong's first season as Virginia's starting quarterback opened slowly. Thanks to a strong second half, the Cavaliers' signal caller landed on the preseason 2021 Maxwell Award watch list. The Maxwell Award is given annually to college football's top player. The watch list was announced Monday, and Armstrong is one of eight ACC quarterbacks to make the list. A total of 80 players appear on the watch list, with 13 coming from the ACC.

The left-handed quarterback made some impressive plays against Duke, Clemson and N.C. State in his first three collegiate starts last season, but he also fired six interceptions compared to five touchdown passes and suffered a concussion in the first half against the Wolfpack. After a one-game absence due to the concussion, Armstrong played well late in the year. He tossed only five interceptions over the final six games of the season and scored 17 total touchdowns. On the season, Armstrong threw for 2,117 yards in nine games. He threw 18 touchdowns compared to 11 interceptions and rushed for over 500 yards and five touchdowns. - Charlottesville Daily Progress

(DS#24 QB) rSr/2024

QB Brennan Armstrong, North Carolina State
News Source: Charlottesville Daily Progress
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07/20/21 - Grayson McCall, rSr/2025, North Carolina State, 6-2, 221 (DS#999 QB) + More +

The Maxwell Football Club announced its watch lists for the 85th Maxwell Award, presented annually to the outstanding player in college football, and for the 27th annual Chuck Bednarik Award, presented annually to the outstanding defensive player in college football today, which included Coastal Carolina's Grayson McCall and Jeffrey Gunter, respectively. Both awards are proudly sponsored by Mammoth Tech and The Athletes' Corner, which are Executive Partners of the Maxwell Football Club.

McCall was named the 2020 Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year and the 2020 Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year by the league's coaches and earned a spot on the 2020 All-Sun Belt first team and the 2020 Phil Steele SBC All-Conference first team last season in which he led the Sun Belt and ranked 10th nationally with 26 passing touchdowns on the year. He also led the Sun Belt and ranked in the top 30 nationally in passing efficiency at 184.3 (fifth), points responsible for with 202 (ninth), points responsible for per game at 18.4 (16th), passing yards with 2,488 (19th), and in total offensive yards per game at 277.9 (30th), and was second in the Sun Belt in completion percentage at 68.8 percent (172-of-250), in passing yards per completion at 14.47, and yards per attempt at 9.95. - Coastal Carolina Football

(DS#999 QB) rSr/2025

QB Grayson McCall, North Carolina State
News Source: Coastal Carolina Football
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05/24/21 - Dreshun Miller, rSr/2023, North Carolina State, 6-1, 186 (DS#999 CB) + More +

Miller was a post-National Signing Day pickup for Auburn and stands as another new face in a remade Tigers secondary. Miller made the most of his one season as a Mountaineer by recording 31 tackles, eight pass break-ups and one interception. His role was a crucial one on a West Virginia pass defense that led the country by only allowing 159.6 passing yards per game. A Kennesaw, Georgia native, Miller steps in as another option at cornerback. He'll have to compete to earn playing time among the likes of Roger McCreary, Jaylin Simpson and Eric Reed Jr., but it's easy to see a path toward the junior seeing considerable snaps. - Opelika-Auburn News

(DS#999 CB) rSr/2023

CB Dreshun Miller, North Carolina State
News Source: Opelika-Auburn News
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05/21/21 - DK Kaufman, rSr/2025, North Carolina State, 5-09, 202 (DS#46 FS) + More +

After confirming last November that Vanderbilt would be without Donovan Kaufman for the rest of the season, Derek Mason provided an answer that made it clear how highly he thinks of the young defensive back's talent level. "It's always gotta be about the next man up … but I think Donovan is a different type of player," Mason said at the time. "As most of you got to see in only a small game sample, he's different in terms of what he brings to the table - defensively, special teams. He's a dude that's an impact player." Now, Mason is set to add that "impact player" to his defense at Auburn.

It's a noteworthy development for the Tigers and their new defensive coordinator. Kaufman, who committed to Auburn Wednesday, becomes the third defensive back transfer the Tigers have landed this offseason and gives the team a potential starter at the safety position next to 2020 All-SEC safety Smoke Monday. Kaufman, who was averaging an SEC-best 27.4 yards per kick return last year before his season-ending medical situation, could potentially help Auburn as a return man as well. "He's a competitive dog," a coach familiar with Kaufman told AL.com. "… He's built different. He is (all about) work, hard work." - Birmingham News

(DS#46 FS) rSr/2025

FS DK Kaufman, North Carolina State
News Source: Birmingham News
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05/19/21 - DK Kaufman, rSr/2025, North Carolina State, 5-09, 202 (DS#46 FS) + More +

Auburn has added another defensive back, and it's someone defensive coordinator Derek Mason knows quite well. Former Vanderbilt safety Donvoan Kaufman committed to the Tigers on Wednesday. The 5-foot-10, 197-pound Kaufman will have four years of eligibility at Auburn. Kaufman announced his decision Wednesday on Twitter. Kaufman signed with Vanderbilt in the class of 2020 as a three-star recruit per 247 Sports. He impressed in Vanderbilt's first two games last fall by registering 15 tackles and one pass break-up as well as returning five kickoffs for 137 yards. His 10-tackle performance against LSU on Oct. 3 led the Commodores' defense. Kaufman self-identified as testing positive for COVID-19 before Vanderbilt's game against South Carolina on Oct. 10. Mason announced Kaufman would miss the remainder of the season due to a "medical-related issue." - Opelika-Auburn News

(DS#46 FS) rSr/2025

FS DK Kaufman, North Carolina State
News Source: Opelika-Auburn News
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04/25/21 - DK Kaufman, rSr/2025, North Carolina State, 5-09, 202 (DS#46 FS) + More +

It's possible that one of the top young players from Derek Mason's 2020 Vanderbilt team could end up reuniting with Mason at Auburn. Donovan Kaufman, a sophomore safety who entered the NCAA transfer portal on Wednesday, told AL.com that the Tigers are among the schools most of interest to him at this point and that he's already had contact with Mason and Auburn cornerbacks coach Zac Etheridge since popping up in the portal. Kaufman, who plans to pick a school "no later than mid-May," has also been contacted by schools like Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia and Utah. "I thought about (whether to transfer) for a while, ever since Coach Mason left, but I just felt like it was the right decision," Kaufman said. - Birmingham News

(DS#46 FS) rSr/2025

FS DK Kaufman, North Carolina State
News Source: Birmingham News
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04/22/21 - Payton Wilson, rSr/2024, North Carolina State, 6-4, 233 (DS#2 OLB) + More +

Wilson came off the bench as a freshman and still led the team in tackles. In 2020 he led the team in tackles and interceptions despite missing two games. In his last game, versus Georgia Tech, he led the team with 11 tackles despite playing with two dislocated shoulders (more on that later), showing the type of throwback grit Doeren loves. It's that type of determination, plus the snub, that makes Wilson think he's the best of the best. "I think I'm the best defensive college football player in America," Wilson said. "I don't think I received that recognition. It's just something to fuel me this offseason to go out there next year and make sure there's no doubt about it." An upset, ticked off, motivated, Payton Wilson is a scary sight for opponents in 2021. As a first-time starter in 2020, Wilson had to adjust to playing so many snaps. He said defensive coordinator Tony Gibson devised a scheme that simplified things for him.

Last year, Wilson admitted, he knew his assignment on every snap. This year, while watching during the spring, he has learned the role of the other 10 guys. Doeren laughed when asked if fans have seen Wilson's best football? "No we haven't," Doeren said. "He's got so much he can do better. He could have made a lot more plays. He could have and he'll tell you that." For a guy who averaged 10.8 tackles a game, what more was there to do? For starters, Doeren explained, Wilson wasn't always "looking at the right stuff." Because he's so fast, Wilson can quickly explode to the ball carrier and bring him down after a two-yard gain. This year, Doeren said, Wilson won't waste any movements and can make stops in the backfield for a two-yard loss. "There's times when his eyes were in the wrong place and he got away with it," Doeren said. "Had he looked at this maybe he would have gotten an interception or he definitely would have had a sack. I expect his production to be better." - Raleigh News Observer

(DS#2 OLB) rSr/2024

OLB Payton Wilson, North Carolina State
News Source: Raleigh News Observer
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04/07/21 - Savion Jackson, rSr/2024, North Carolina State, 6-2, 263 (DS#80 DE) + More +

Savion Jackson had somewhere he wanted to be, perhaps to catch a glimpse of where he wants to go. He wasn't rushing and didn't act impatiently - he would have sat through an hour of questions if that's what it took to get a media interview completed. Jackson was giving his time in the Murphy Center, but his mind might already have been next door at the Close-King Indoor practice facility. And though he didn't say it, N.C. State Sports Information Director Annabelle Myers did, mentioning Jackson wanted to get over to Pro Day, where his former teammates Cary Angeline, Joe Sculthorpe and fellow defensive lineman Alim McNeill - one of his best friends on the team - were performing in front of NFL scouts.

Jackson wanted to go support his teammates, but he also wanted to get a closer look at the process - the drills, the interaction with the NFL brass, everything that went along with getting to the next level. In the future, Jackson, a sophomore defensive end, hopes to put himself in a position where scouts will come watch him workout. "Me and Alim are super close," Jackson told The News & Observer. "Just hearing the stuff he does, it inspires me and gives me motivation to be in that position one day." - Raleigh News Observer

(DS#80 DE) rSr/2024

DE Savion Jackson, North Carolina State
News Source: Raleigh News Observer
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03/26/21 - Emeka Emezie, rSr/2022, North Carolina State, 6-2, 210 (DS#68 WR) + More +

Emeka Emezie was upfront about returning to college for another year: school is kicking his butt right now. The N.C. State wide receiver is taking a full course load and it hasn't been easy. "Class is tough," Emezie said. "I'm taking six classes right now. I'm not going to lie, school is tough." Emezie could be preparing for the NFL draft. The Wolfpack wide receiver had a solid four years at N.C. State - 169 career receptions (fifth in school history), 2,093 yards (seventh in school history), 13 touchdowns. He's played in 48 games and started 32.

At 6-3, 212 pounds, Emezie was the favorite target of quarterbacks Devin Leary and Bailey Hockman, leading N.C. State with 47 catches and 738 yards in 2020. Emezie could have left school as one of the more decorated wide receivers in Wolfpack history and could have been picked in the upcoming draft or invited to an NFL training camp this summer. But Emezie is coming back to N.C. State for more. Taking advantage of the NCAA ruling 2020 as a zero year due to the coronavirus pandemic, Emezie made the decision in December to return to N.C. State. He'll be one of the 'super seniors' along with defensive end Daniel Joseph, offensive tackle Tyrone Riley and wide receiver Eric Collins. Emezie and Joseph were both full-time starters in 2020. - Raleigh News Observer

(DS#68 WR) rSr/2022

WR Emeka Emezie, North Carolina State
News Source: Raleigh News Observer
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03/02/21 - Grayson McCall, rSr/2025, North Carolina State, 6-2, 221 (DS#999 QB) + More +

The Coastal Carolina football schedule for 2021 was release Monday, and the Chants will be featured on three midweek, national broadcasts this year. CCU's schedule, announced Monday by the Sun Belt Conference along with the rest of the league's slate, is highlighted by the three midweek games - at Arkansas State (Thursday, Oct. 7), at Appalachian State (Wednesday, Oct. 20) and at home against Troy (Thursday, Oct. 28) - and a Week 2 contest in which the Chants will host Big 12 foe Kansas. Game times and broadcast information will be announced at a later date. Coastal opens the season against Football Championship Subdivision foe The Citadel on Sept. 4. - Myrtle Beach Online

(DS#999 QB) rSr/2025

QB Grayson McCall, North Carolina State
News Source: Myrtle Beach Online
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02/22/21 - Dreshun Miller, rSr/2023, North Carolina State, 6-1, 186 (DS#999 CB) + More +

The Auburn Tigers have added an experienced cornerback to their secondary for 2021. Former West Virginia cornerback Dreshun Miller announced his commitment to Auburn on Monday. The news comes after Miller completed his junior season with the Mountaineers and announced his departure from the team Feb. 11. The 6-foot-1, 192-pound Miller played in nine games for West Virginia in 2020. The Kennesaw, Georgia native ended the season with 31 tackles, eight pass break-ups and one interception as part of a Mountaineers' pass defense that was the best in the country thanks to only allowing 159.6 passing yards per game. The 2020 season was Miller's first as a Mountaineer after starting his collegiate career at Eastern Arizona College. He led Eastern Arizona to the 2018 junior college national championship game and recorded 85 tackles, six tackles for loss and 12 pass break-ups in his two years with the team. - Opelika-Auburn News

(DS#999 CB) rSr/2023

CB Dreshun Miller, North Carolina State
News Source: Opelika-Auburn News
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