Area teams have promise in 2009
Published: Thu, Dec. 04, 2008 12:30AM
Modified Thu, Dec. 04, 2008 03:00AM
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closeThere's much to be sorted out, but the very early outlook for Triangle schools and East Carolina in the 2009 football season is promising.
A handful of players, led by North Carolina wide receiver Hakeem Nicks, could exit early for the NFL draft, and the status of ECU quarterback Patrick Pinkney may not be determined for a month or so.
Pinkney, technically a senior and a solid academic student, could qualify for another year of eligibility if he elects to go through the NCAA process. He was injured most of the 2004 season and could be granted a medical extension.
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The status of two important N.C. State defenders -- end Willie Young and linebacker Nate Irving -- won't be known for at least a few weeks. Both are NFL prospects but could return.
Should Pinkney return, the level of quarterbacking throughout the state will be high with Russell Wilson at State, Thad Lewis at Duke, T.J. Yates at Carolina, Riley Skinner at Wake Forest and possibly the best in show, Armanti Edwards at Appalachian State.
Believe it or not, Edwards is only a junior and will return with an outside shot at becoming the No. 1 all-time NCAA offensive yardage leader. The man to catch is Steve McNair (Alcorn State) at about 17,000 total yards. Edwards probably will enter the '09 season at roughly 11,000 yards.
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