Dean Haynes, who began training camp as a starter at cornerback, has earned the starting running back job for N.C. State's opener at 6 p.m. Saturday against Western Carolina, according to a depth chart released this afternoon.
Haynes, a redshirt freshman, moved to running back about two weeks ago, according to team spokeswoman Annabelle Myers. Coach Tom O'Brien referred on a couple occasions last week to personnel moves the staff had made on a tentative basis, but didn't specifically list them.
Apparently Haynes' was the most significant move. He will be backed up by freshman Mustafa Greene.
Junior Curtis Underwood and sophomore James Washington, who began the preseason as the starter and backup, respectively, at running back, are not on the two-deep depth chart.
Although Haynes has played defense at N.C. State, he rushed for 878 yards and 18 touchdowns as a senior at Northwest Whitfield County High in Georgia in 2008.
Elsewhere on the depth chart, Jeff Rieskamp has moved in front of Michael Lemon at defensive end after having a strong camp following a return from a sports hernia that caused Rieskamp to miss the entire 2009 season.
Natanu Mageo and Brian Slay are listed as starters at defensive tackle, backed up by J.R. Sweezy and Markus Kuhn. Terrell Manning is starting at outside linebacker ahead of Dwayne Maddox, and Justin Byers will start at boundary cornerback - which was the position Haynes filled at the beginning of the preseason.
O'Brien was not immediately available for comment on the depth chart.
Comments
That TOB keeps us guessing
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 20:18 — unc098That TOB keeps us guessing !!!!! Kinda a head turner though. It might also show that TOB has a lot more confidence in his defense ....then we expect.
or
Tue, 08/31/2010 - 12:34 — gvillegatreven less confidence in his RB's. this is indeed a head scratcher no matter how anyone attempts to enlighten us
Yep, there does seem to be
Tue, 08/31/2010 - 14:04 — unc098Yep, there does seem to be some injury issues in the RB section
Not so sure
Tue, 08/31/2010 - 15:10 — JPDOhioFrom what I have seen reported so far, it seems like Haynes just won the job. Apparently, Underwood and Washington were underwhelming and Haynes can run and block. I guess there are rumors of injuries to the favorites at the position, but that hasn't been acknowledged officially anywhere that I have seen.
It is also possible that TOB is sending a message to his running backs and figures the risk is low given the first opponent. That seems out of character for him though, so I would dismiss that thought. If we are lucky, we have a diamond in the rough here.
"If we are lucky, we have a
Tue, 08/31/2010 - 21:47 — mad_max"If we are lucky, we have a diamond in the rough here."
Wouldn't that be swell. A stud RB would do wonders for this team; completing an already potent offense, and theoretically keeping the defense off the field a little more.
As much as I hate it
Wed, 09/01/2010 - 01:41 — Heels20I have to agree. Call me crazy, but if State can establish a running game, then they will be a top 15 offense in the country.
Agreed. That O-line needs to
Wed, 09/01/2010 - 16:33 — unc098Agreed. That O-line needs to step it up and move bodies off the line if they are going to establish a running game.
Yep
Wed, 09/01/2010 - 17:38 — JPDOhioTo me, that is the bigger question mark than the secondary.
According to Backing the
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 16:53 — TDiddytAccording to Backing the Pack:
While those guys [Washington and Underwood] sit because of nagging injuries (FWIW, according to a producer at 620 AM, they "should be good to go" for UCF), freshmen Dean Haynes and Mustafa Greene have an opportunity to show what they've got.
Haynes
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 14:59 — JPDOhioJust got an e-mail from my son about the depth chart. So the shock officially extends from northern Ohio to the Gulf Coast of Florida.
I expect that, when we hear from TOB on the subject, he will say that Haynes picked up the blocking schemes better than the other guys. With the offensive line as one of the two biggest question marks on the team, blocking for RW has to be a high priority.
And yes, the secondary is the other big question mark, but sometimes you take a risk in one area to reap a reward in another. Apparently, Haynes wasn't expected to see much action in the secondary, so the move was made. I am sure that this move will be the first question TOB gets in his next press conference.
Anyway, although the Pack can't afford to take any opponent for granted, Western Carolina is a good game to start with when you are breaking in a lot of young players.
Good discussions about it
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 16:11 — TDiddytGood discussions about it here:
http://tinyurl.com/33eqxpf
Haynes wasn't expected to
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 16:08 — TDiddytHaynes wasn't expected to see much action in the secondary, so the move was made.
That may be true, but TOB had SAID Haynes was at the TOP of the depth chart at CB.
Don't recall that
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 16:14 — JPDOhioBut I am just guessing now. We'll find out shortly.
JP - Can't find the direct
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 17:03 — TDiddytJP - Can't find the direct TOB quote that I remember, but there's these:
NEWCOMER TO WATCH: CB Dean Haynes -- Haynes, a redshirt freshman, began practice as the starting boundary cornerback. The secondary was both injured and ineffective a year ago, and opposing quarterbacks won't have any fear throwing into N.C. State's defensive backfield ... which could turn into opportunities for Haynes to show he's up to the task.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/acc/ncsu.htm
Redshirt freshman Dean Haynes appears to have the first opportunity to help fix the secondary. Haynes worked with the starters at boundary cornerback.
http://tinyurl.com/2wumesm
Haynes has been asked to make another move, this time to cornerback, where he practiced with the first-team defense Tuesday.
http://tinyurl.com/39kw8yd
Great post
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 15:37 — Heels20You sure you didn't go to UNC?
Haha, just kidding Packers. But seriously, I think you hit the nail on the head with that post.
What?!?
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 14:32 — mad_maxThis is quite the shocker. I'll trust that this coaching staff knows what they're doing, but still, I'm somewhat skeptical. I thought we were loaded at RB; Greene, Underwood, Washington, and Barnes. You would think that the last thing we would want to do is take away any talent from the DB positions. I really don't know what to think about this...we might need JPD to come bring some optimism regarding this move haha. I guess TOB knows better than I do though.
remember
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 15:03 — izzykareembarnes is hurt, and there was rumor, now true it seems, that both underwood and washington were a little dinged up a few weeks ago. I think its just shocking because we had not been hearing the name, but i think that speaks to how well TOB et al keep secrets.
We'd know more....
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 15:52 — JPDOhioIf some of these guys would just tweet or post something on Facebook.
:-D
haha
Tue, 08/31/2010 - 00:53 — izzykareemas they say on IC: "this". What a moron board that is, like seriously naive people over there minus a few level-headed old dudes and some lawyers.
oddly, i don't think i even know any NCSU athlete twitter accounts except for the three incoming bball super frosh.
question
Tue, 08/31/2010 - 12:31 — gvillegatrwhy would such a loyal pup fan know what goes on over at Inside Carolina?
and i'm sure nothing but the most classy and knowledgable of all fans are over at ncsu's rivals or scout site.
LOL!
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 18:09 — PuddentainLOL!
Whoa
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 14:22 — YAR8packI really thought this was going to go the other way-having a RB or receiver move to a DB spot. But look at 3 true freshman on the two-deep chart as backups for the secondary. Gonna be interesting.
Kinda knew Greene would be involved in the two-deep mix before the season started. I've heard plenty of good things about Mustafa.
Everything else looks rather normal. And besides, this is a 'feel out' the team game this week.
OK GO STATE!!!