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North Carolina State Football could be ACC sleeper in 2021

By Chris Peterson

Sep 7, 2019; Raleigh, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack head coach Dave Doeren (center) leads his team onto the field prior to a game against thw Western Carolina Catamounts at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 7, 2019; Raleigh, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack head coach Dave Doeren (center) leads his team onto the field prior to a game against thw Western Carolina Catamounts at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Playmaking defense should improve

North Carolina State lost some pieces from its defense but just like on the offensive side of the ball, the Wolfpack have a bunch of productive players back from a team that won eight games a year ago.

Payton Wilson and Isaiah Moore each went over 100 tackles last season for NC State football. They also combined for 6.5 sacks and over 22 tackles for loss.

Wilson is 6-foot-4, 235 pounds with pass-rush ability to go along with some coverage skills. He’s a rising star and the Wolfpack have a few players like that on both sides of the ball.

The Wolfpack allowed more than 400 yards per game last season and 29 points, which isn’t good enough if they want to take the next step into the 9-10 win range. But they averaged 1.1 takeaways per game and had a whopping 32 sacks.

Daniel Joseph, who led the team in sacks last season, is also back this year and NC State brought in talented defensive tackle Cory Durden via the transfer portal from Florida State.

Shyheim Battle is also back at corner after 10 pass breakups last season and if the defense can get more consistent on a down-by-down basis, it could be a real strength in 2021.

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