Pack's Young, Eugene want NFL scrutiny

RALEIGH -- N.C. State juniors Willie Young and Jamelle Eugene are submitting their names to the NFL draft advisory board, coach Tom O'Brien said Tuesday.

The advisory board reviews the credentials of underclassmen each year and provides them an estimate of where they might be selected in the draft if they leave school, helping them make informed decisions about their future.

Young, a defensive end, leads the Wolfpack with 11 tackles for a loss and 6.5 sacks. Eugene has rushed for 432 yards and two touchdowns after missing the first three games of the season because of injury.

"Neither has any intentions at this point of leaving, but they want to know [their status]," O'Brien said during his news conference to preview N.C. State's Dec. 29 appearance against Rutgers in the Papajohns.com Bowl in Birmingham, Ala.

Neither player was available for comment Tuesday. Another key player for N.C. State, sophomore linebacker Nate Irving, said he hasn't thought about his plans beyond this season.

"I'm just getting ready for Rutgers," said Irving, who led the team with four interceptions and is considered the team's best defensive player. "After Rutgers, I'll worry about my future plans."

The deadline for underclassmen to apply for the draft is Jan. 15. The draft is in April.

JOHNSON MAY PLAY IN BOWL: Safety Clem Johnson is supposed to return to the practice field this week in hopes of playing in the bowl game.

He missed the first four games while recovering from a broken jaw and did not play in the regular-season finale against Miami because of an ankle injury.

"We think he's our best safety," O'Brien said. "We know we're going to need our best players to slow this passing game [of Rutgers] down some. It would be fortunate for him [to play]."

WINNING RECORD ON THE LINE: Senior cornerback Jeremy Gray, who is from Opelika, is the lone Alabama native on N.C. State's team.

He grew up about 100 miles from Birmingham and said he has received a lot of ticket requests from family and friends. He said N.C. State's seniors are determined to finish the season on a winning note.

The Wolfpack is 6-6, and Rutgers is 7-5.

"We're trying to have a winning season," Gray said, "and if we lose, it's going to be a losing season."

OPEN PRACTICE SATURDAY: N.C. State fans will be able to get a rare glimpse at the team during a practice this weekend. O'Brien is opening up practice to the fans at 4 p.m. Saturday at Carter-Finley Stadium.

The Wolfpack has a basketball game scheduled at the RBC Center at 2 p.m. Saturday against Lipscomb. Fans who do not attend the basketball game but want to attend football practice are asked to park in the lot to the south of Carter-Finley Stadium.