N.C. State sophomore Rashard Smith has a new position.

Given the Wolfpack’s surplus of defensive backs and shallow receiving corps, coach Tom O’Brien called it a “logical” decision to give Smith, one of the team’s best athletes, a chance to get on the field as a wide receiver.

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.

At the beginning of preseason practice, N.C. State coach Tom O'Brien said quarterback Russell Wilson was a bit rusty after coming back from playing baseball for the Wolfpack in the spring and the Colorado Rockies organization in the summer.

But Wilson said today that he is in 'game mode' and in rhythm now.

"I feel great," he said during his weekly conference with reporters.