Critical Changes to NC State Depth Chart in Week 2

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RALEIGH, N.C. -- The North Carolina State Wolfpack coaching staff clearly saw some things that needed to change after the team's 24-17 victory over East Carolina on Thursday.
With a massively improved Virginia team waiting on the horizon for the Wolfpack on Saturday, NC State released its expected depth chart for the matchup. Head coach Dave Doeren also provided a critical medical update on a key player during his Monday evening press conference.
While some of the changes may not come as too much of a surprise, they demonstrate just how deeply Doeren and his staff believe in the team. NC State will likely tinker with the lineup a lot in the early stages of the season.
NC State Depth Chart for Week 2 against Virginia

Key Nuggets from the Week 2 Depth Chart
The Kicking Situation
- The depth chart now has an "OR" marker between redshirt freshman Nick Konieczynski and graduate senior Kanoah Vinesett.
- Konieczynski was problematic in the win over ECU, as he missed two of his three field goal attempts and struggled from outside the 30-yard line.
- Doeren said the decision to start Konieczynski in the opener stemmed from his 91% accuracy the team tracked during fall camp.
- Redshirt freshman Charlie Birstwistle will remain on kickoff duty for now.

The Injury Update
- After taking a major hit and leaving the ECU game in the second half, Doeren announced wide receiver Noah Rogers is healthy.
- "Noah is good. He's totally cleared. Looking forward to having him back," Doeren said.
- Rogers likely had to clear concussion protocol after he took the hit to the head.

Changes with the Secondary
- Another instance of an "OR" between starters occurred within NC State's secondary on the depth chart.
- After starting the ECU game at right cornerback, redshirt junior Jamel Johnson lost the guaranteed top spot.
- Redshirt sophomore Brian Nelson II was listed as the other option on that side of the NC State secondary alongside Johnson.
- True freshman Caden Gordon also moved up in the depth chart and was named the team's No. 3 overall cornerback.
- Second-string nickelback Jaren Sensabaugh no longer appeared on the depth chart, likely due to an injury sustained during the game. He was replaced by true freshman Jivan Baly.
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Tucker Sennett graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in Sports Journalism from the esteemed Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. A former basketball player, he has gained valuable experience working at Cronkite News and brings a deep passion for sports and reporting to his role as the NC State Wolfpack Beat Writer On SI.
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