Kuhn And Sweezy Selected



Markus Kuhn



In the seventh round of the NFL Draft the Wolfpack had two defensive linemen selected. First defensive tackle J.R. Sweezy was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks with the 18^th pick, 225^th overall, in the seventh round.
  The 6’5” 298lbs senior defensive tackle missed the first four games of the seasons because of a fractured foot and finished the season with 26 tackles, 6 tackles for losses, and 3 sacks.
  Also defensive tackle Markus Kuhn was drafted by the defending Super Bowl champions New York Giants with the 32^nd pick of the seventh round, 239^th overall.
  Kuhn a 6’4” 299lbs defensive tackle from Germany finished his senior season with 45 tackles, 9.5 tackles for losses, and 4.5 sacks. 
  Both players are joining teams that currently have former Wolfpack players on their rosters. Sweezy will have a chance to play with placekicker Steven Hauschka and former teammate quarterback Russell Wilson in Seattle. Kuhn will join running back Andre Brown in New York.

Manning To The Packers

On Saturday Terrell Manning’s long wait came to an end when the linebacker was selected by the Green Bay Packers with the 28^th pick of the fifth round and the 163^rd overall. 
  The Packers actually had to trade up in the draft to acquire Manning with the 163^rd overall selection. They gave away a sixth-round pick and two seventh-round picks in a trade with the New England Patriots. 
  Manning a 6’3” 237 lbs junior linebacker, who gave up his last year of collegiate eligibility to enter the draft, was a second team All-ACC selection, had 76 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 3 interceptions, and led the Wolfpack with 12.5 tackles for losses in his final season despite missing three games with a knee injury.
  While Manning had to wait awhile to finally hear his name the bright spot is he going to the Green Bay Packers one of the most historic and best run organizations in the NFL.

First Pack Player Picked

The first NC State player came off the draft board Friday when the Buffalo Bills drafted wide receiver T.J. Graham. The Bills selected Graham with the sixth pick, sixty-ninth overall, in the third round of the 2012 NFL draft.
  Most draft experts had the speedy 5’11” 188 lbs former Wolpack receiver predicted to go in the later rounds of the draft. NFL.com and NFL network draft expert Mike Mayock thought Graham would go in the seventh round.
  The Bills drafted Graham to give them a speed receiver to play opposite wide receiver Stevie Johnson, and also Graham who was an excellent return man in college will greatly help the Bills out on special teams. An added perk for Graham getting drafted by the Bills is he will get to be a teammate with former Wolfpack players defensive end Mario Williams, number one overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, and guard Jake Vermiglio.

Cole Not Nervous

NC State Senior Day - PackPride

Audie Cole knows that he will hear his name sometime this weekend during the NFL draft. While he is sure it will not be Thursday night during the first round of the draft, most draft experts predict Cole to go between the fourth and sixth rounds, but the former Wolfpack standout says he is not worried about the process. 
  The 6’4” 246 lbs. inside linebacker prospect will be spending the draft with his family in Monroe, Michigan and preferably fishing on his grandfather’s boat. Even though Cole will not be in New York for the draft he did get a chance to go to New York recently.
  ESPN The Magazine took Cole and three other prospects to New York for a fashion shoot that appears in the current issue of the magazine. Cole looks forward to the new challenges the NFL will present and working hard for whichever team drafts him.

Wilson Ready For Next Chapter

Russell Wilson at NC State open practice

With the NFL draft occurring this evening one of the intriguing prospects will be quarterback Russell Wilson, Wilson took time out from preparing for the draft to attend the NC State open practice held prior to the annual Kay Yow spring game. This was Wilson’s first time back on campus since he transferred to Wisconsin after playing his first three collegiate seasons for the Wolfpack. He had an opportunity to reconnect with former teammates and coaches including head coach Tom O’Brien.  When asked about being back in Raleigh and seeing Coach Wilson said "

He's a great coach, a good individual. It's good to be here. He's coached me. I've got my foundation from North Carolina State University in terms of academics and in football. I want to have the access to be able to come back. It's a great place and not too far away from home.”

At the combine Wilson measured at 5’11”, 204 lbs, and ran a 4.55 second forty yard dash and is projected to go in either the third or fourth round. His final year in college Wilson led the nation is passing efficiency throwing for 33 touchdowns and completing 78.5 percent of his passes. Many draft experts believe that if he was a few inches taller Wilson would be a sure high first round pick. When asked about the draft Wilson said

"I visited the Buffalo Bills. I've talked to and visited the Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts.The Philadelphia Eagles have worked me out. I've talked to a lot of teams though,"

Wilson will be excited no matter which team drafts him this weekend and now its just wait and see.

The Holt Foundation, which was started by former players and brother Torry and Terrance Holt, will co-sponsor along with the Kay Yow Cancer Foundation and NC State the Answers for Cancers Walk on April 21, 2012. The Holt Foundation was started in 1999 by the two brothers as a tribute to their mother Ojetta Holt-Shoffner who they lost to cancer in 1996 and provides support to children of parents with cancer.  They have established programs at several hospitals in North Carolina, they sponsor many charity events throughout the community, and they established a scholarship at North Carolina State University through the Wolfpack Club. The Answers for Cancer Walk will be part of a full day of fun events concluding with the NC State spring football game.

NFL Free Agency Update

Jerricho Cotchery and Leroy Harris at the 2010
Spring Football Game/Jeff Reeves PackPride

The New York Giants has signed former NC State offensive lineman Sean Locklear terms of the deal were not disclosed.  Locklear who is from Lumberton, North Carolina is a Native-American and a member of the Lumbee Tribe. He was the 21^st pick of the third round in 2004 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks. He played for seven seasons with the Seahawks and help led them to the Super Bowl in the 2005 season. Last season Locklear played for the Washington Redskins.

Also former NC State star Jerricho Cotchery has decided to resign with the Pittsburgh Steelers after receiving interest from several other NFL teams. Cotchery agreed to a two year contract worth about 3 million dollars after joining the team last season. Coming out of NC State Cotchery was drafted by The New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft and spent seven seasons with the Jets. Cotchery still holds the North Carolina State University record for career receptions with 200 receptions.

NFL Free Agency

Detroit Lion’s free agent linebacker Stephen Tulloch has agreed to terms with the team on a 5 year 25.5 million dollar contract with 11.25 million in guaranteed money. Tulloch played three seasons at North Carolina State University during which time he was named MVP of the Meineke Car Care Bowl and named first team All-ACC in 2005. In the 2006 NFL Draft Tulloch was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the fourth round the 116^th overall selection that year. He played five seasons with the Titans before joining the Lions on a one year contract last season where he led the team in Tackles with 111.

Mario Williams and  Buffalo Bills front office Chris Caya/WBFO

Defensive end Mario Williams has signed a free agent contract with the Buffalo Bills. The deal reached is a 6 year 100 million dollar contract with 50 million in guaranteed money. Williams spent his entire 6 year career with the Houston Texans after being the 1^st overall selection in the 2006 NFL Draft. In his career he was a 2 time All Pro and a 2 time Pro Bowl selection. Williams only played 5 games last season before tearing his pectoral muscle and being placed on injured reserve. Williams played three years at North Carolina State University and in 2005 he was named first team All-ACC and first team All-American.

Another free agent that reached an agreement is outside linebacker Manny Lawson. Lawson decided to resign with the Cincinnati Bengals after spending his first season with the club last year.  Terms of the contract are not known at this time. Lawson played for the Wolfpack from 2002 -2005 making first team All-ACC his senior year. He was selected with the 22^nd pick of the first round by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2006 NFL Draft. Lawson played 5 seasons with the 49ers before joining the Bengals last season.

Holt Set To Retire

Torry Holt ESPN.com

Former NC State player Torry Holt will resign with the ST Louis Rams on a one day contract and he will then officially retire from professional football. Holt and the Rams have scheduled a press conference for April 4^th 12pm eastern standard time according to NFL.com. Holt from Gibsonville, North Carolina played college football at North Carolina State University from 1995 to 1998. His senior year Holt made first team All-ACC, he was named Atlantic Coast Conference Offensive Player of the Year, made consensus first team All American, and set a school record with 16 touchdown receptions in a season.

In 1999 Holt was drafted sixth overall by the St Louis Rams in the NFL Draft. He played 10 years with the Rams and was a member of “The Greatest Show on Turf” along with Kurt Warner, Isaac Bruce, and Marshall Faulk. During his tenor in St Louis Holt set records 6 consecutive seasons of 1,300 receiving yards and at least 90 receptions, became the fastest player to 10,000 receiving yards, 7 times Pro Bowler, 2 times All Pro, and help win Super Bowl XXXIV. After his career in St Louis he played for the Jacksonville Jaguars for one season, and then joined the New England Patriots but due to injuries was not able to play again in the NFL. Since his playing career ended Holt has joined the NFL Network as an analyst and started the Holt Foundation with his brother Terrance Holt.

NC State Pro Day Results

North Carolina State held their pro day on March 21 and with about 26 NFL teams represented. The player at the pro day that probably helped his draft status the most was senior tight end George Bryan. Since his last game with the Wolfpack not only has Bryan earned his degree but has also drastically changed his body. Since playing in the  Belk Bowl Bryan has worked at the Athletes Performance Institute where he went from 276 pounds to 256 pounds, and while decreasing his body fat from 22 percent to 15 percent.


Bryan also improved his measurables he posted while participating in the East –West Shrine All Star game. His time in the 40 yard dash improved from 5.2 seconds to 4.9 seconds. He also improved on his vertical leap going from 29 inches to 33½ inches and his bench press from 7 reps to 13 reps. The biggest questions concerning Bryan was his speed and strength as a blocker he hope he answered those questions with his performance at the pro day.


Here’s how some of the more notable prospects performed:


Audie Cole: LB (6-foot-4 3/8, 248 pounds) — Ran the 40-yard dash in 4.78 and 4.81 seconds and performed well in position drills.


J.R. Sweezy: DT (6-4 7/8, 296) — Ran the 40 in 4.84 seconds and did 18 reps on the bench press. Sweezy also participated in position drills.


Terrell Manning: LB (6-1 7/8, 235) — Ran the 40 in 4.71 seconds and stood on his numbers from the combine. Terrell had a good performance in position drills.


T.J. Graham: WR (5-11 3/8, 185) — Had a 34-inch vertical and 9-foot-11-inch broad jump and had good workout.


Markus Kuhn: DT (6-4 3/4, 297) — Stood on his combine performance, but did position drills.