How NC State coach Dave Doeren’s 2017 class has fared, heading into the 2020 campaign
Boy, they grow up so fast.
With the 2020 football season (hopefully) around the corner, the N.C. State seniors will be closing out their careers in Wolfpack uniforms.
Dave Doeren’s 2017 signing class welcomed 18 new faces. The group was ranked No. 10 in the ACC and No. 53 nationally. Of the 18 who enrolled in 2017, only nine remain on the 2020 roster. Of that nine, three played as true freshmen and the rest have been solid contributors over the past two or three seasons. One, defensive tackle Larrell Murchison, was an NFL Draft pick in April.
Since 2017, the group has gone 22-16 and 12-12 in ACC play. Heading into its final year, here’s how the class of 2017 has fared.
PLAYED AS TRUE FRESHMEN
Louis Acceus (Linebacker, Spring Valley, NY)
Acceus played in 12 games in 2017, mostly on special teams. Has played in 32 games in three seasons, including eight starts in 2019. Was in position to lead the team in tackles, but missed the last four games of the season with an injury. Still finished second on the team in tackles. Was a special teams standout the previous two seasons.
Chris Ingram (Cornerback, Salisbury)
Ingram played in all 13 games and was the only true freshman to start a game on defense in 2017. He has appeared in 32 games with 19 starts. Suffered a season-ending injury after six games in 2019. Had three interceptions when he went down with his injury, which was good enough for third in the ACC. As a sophomore in 2018 he led the team with nine pass breakups. Was N.C. State’s first commitment in the class of 2017. Has seen 1,154 snaps from scrimmage in the last three seasons.
Emeka Emezie (Wide receiver, Waxhaw)
Has played in 37 games the last three seasons and has seen 1,671 snaps from scrimmage since 2017. Has caught 122 passes in three seasons for 1,355 yards and eight touchdowns. Started 23 games the last two seasons. Heading into the 2020 season, Emezie has caught at least one pass in 20 straight games, the 10th-longest streak in school history.
CONTRIBUTORS OR STARTERS *Redshirt juniors
Grant Gibson (offensive line, Charlotte)
Gibson was the highest rated player in the class of 2017 out of Charlotte’s Mallard Creek High School. He took a redshirt season in 2017 and switched from defensive line to offensive line. Saw 11 snaps on defense in the 2018 opener, then moved to offense where he’s been since. Started all 12 games at center last year, the only offensive player to start every game. Has allowed just three sacks in 25 games.
Isaiah Moore (linebacker, Chesterfield, Va.)
After redshirting in 2017, Moore has started 23 games the last two seasons. Had 53 tackles in 2019, good enough for third on the team. Has 4.5 career sacks. Has racked up 122 career tackles in the last two seasons and 12.5 tackles for loss.
Ibrahim Kante (Defensive line, Pawling, NY)
Has appeared in 25 games the last two seasons, including seven starts in 2019. Finished his redshirt sophomore year with 15 tackles, including three for a loss of 11 yards. Appeared in all 13 games as a redshirt freshman in 2018, finishing with 14 stops and 3.5 tackles for loss.
Bryson Speas (Offensive line, Greensboro)
Speas has played in 24 games over the last two seasons, including six starts. Played right tackle and guard in 2019. Backup guard as a redshirt freshman who saw his playing time increase over the course of the season. Had 11 pancake blocks last season.
Max Fisher (Wide receiver, Washington, DC)
Has appeared in 13 games over the last two seasons, mainly on special teams. Has three receptions in his career, including two for 41 yards against Florida State in 2019. Was in for a career-high 31 snaps against the Seminoles. Blocked one punt last season in the Ball State game.
Dante Johnson (Defensive line, Apopka, Fl)
Has only appeared in two games (eight snaps) in the last two seasons. Battled injuries and didn’t see any action in 2018.
NO LONGER WITH TEAM
Joshua Fedd-Jackson (Offensive line - transferred 2020)
Matt McKay (Quarterback - transferred 2020)
Raven Saunders (Linebacker - dismissed 2018)
Damien Darden (Tight end - transferred 2018)
Erin Collins (Running back - transferred 2018)
Xavier Lyas (Defensive line - transferred 2019)
Nakia Robinson (Running back - transferred 2018)
Adam Boselli (Tight end - left team 2018)
Antoine Thompson (Wide receiver - dismissed 2017)
Kevince Brown (Defensive line - dismissed 2017)
This story was originally published June 25, 2020 at 2:40 PM.
