NC State Defensive Backs And Wide Receivers Battling In Camp

As fall camp continues, the Wolfpack wide receivers and defensive backs have both acknowledged that some fierce battles are taking place in practice.

Nov 9, 2024; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack cornerback Devon Marshall (16) tackles Duke Blue Devils quarterback Grayson Loftis (12) during the second half of the game at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images | Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

Hours after the second week of fall camp got underway in Raleigh, both sides of the passing game for North Carolina State football had players acknowledge some battles underway on the practice field.

Senior defensive back Devon Marshall and sophomore wide receiver Keenan Jackson returned to NC State and both project to be key pieces for the Wolfpack in 2025.

Nov 30, 2024; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver J.J. Jones (13) scores a touchdown as North Carolina State Wolfpack cornerback Devon Marshall (16) defends in the second quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

The Defensive Perspective

While the players will need to click on both sides of the ball for the season to be a success, competition is an important part of the offseason. That competition can breed confidence, especially for players like Marshall and the other defensive backs.

"They haven't really been throwing the ball at me," Marshall said after practice Tuesday.

As a returner, Marshall has familiarity with most of the pass catchers for the Wolfpack and he's been at the forefront of most of the battles in practice between the two position groups.

"We've been battling it out," Marshall said. "I feel like the defensive backs have been winning."

Dec 28, 2024; Annapolis, MD, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack wide receiver Keenan Jackson (82) runs after a first half catch as East Carolina Pirates defensive back Dontavius Nash (6) defends during the Go Bowling Military Bowl at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images | Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

The Receiver Perspective

Despite Marshall's confidence, one member of the receiver room didn't entirely agree that the defensive backs are winning the training camp battle.

Keenan Jackson expressed excitement about the vibes around camp and support for his practice opponents, who spent time trying to ruin his day. Jackson was asked about the toughest defenders in camp and, unsurprisingly, a familiar name came up.

"Devon Marshall, great corner. He's been around and he's in his fourth year this year," Jackson said. "Me and him, we talk back and forth a lot on the field."

Despite the trash talk during practice, Jackson said reconciliation happens quickly because of the locker room setup.

"Our lockers are right across from each other, so we can say whatever, compete every single day out on the field and then we come back and we're just laughing about it," Jackson said. "All these guys have been pushing us."

Jackson mentioned a moment in practice that served as good evidence that the receivers aren't losing the position battle quite as much as Marshall aluded to.

"Noah (Rogers) made a really good catch on a fade ball ... a pass from CJ (Bailey)," Jackson said. "It kind of looked like the catch from the UNC game."

After both groups struggled a season ago, head coach Dave Doeren and the Wolfpack staff are counting on the competition between the two sets of players to bleed into the season as a positive.

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