NC State Football: Will youth movement pay dividends in 2019?

By Dante Pryor | Aug 10, 2019

RALEIGH, NC - SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Dave Doeren of the North Carolina State Wolfpack watches his team during their game against the James Madison Dukes at Carter-Finley Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

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CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 24: Jarius Morehead #31 and Deonte Holden #55 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack sack Cade Fortin #6 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during the second half of their game at Kenan Stadium on November 24, 2018 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina State won 34-28 in overtime.ˆ (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

Defense will only get better in 2019

The defense, which lost its entire line to the NFL in 2018, returns eight starters to a unit which ranked 108th in the country in pass defense.

An effect of losing your entire defensive line is an inability to create a pass rush. Senior defensive end James Smith-Williams comes to anchor a young defensive line looking for young linemen Alim McNeill, Joshua Harris and Savion Jackson to step up and make a splash.

The linebackers are young, but talented. The group on defense that returns the most starters next season is the secondary who return five players with starting experience.

This group must lead with such an inexperienced offensive unit this year.

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