This week, NC Football News is unveiling its preseason Best In State teams for FBS football in our state.
Here, we introduce the Best In State FBS All-Defense team. The group is led by our preseason Defensive MVP Cedric Gray from North Carolina and our preseason MVP defensive lineman DeWayne Carter of Duke.
Best In State FBS First-Team Defense
DL: DeWayne Carter (Duke) – Three-time captain for the Blue Devils has a knack for forcing fumbles; landed on three national award preseason watch lists (Bronko Nagurski, Chuck Bednarik and Lombardi).
DL: Eyabi Okie-Anoma (Charlotte) – Well-traveled transfer played in all 15 of Michigan’s games a year ago, including the College Football Playoff game against TCU; earned team defensive player of the game honors in the Iowa win
DL: Jasheen Davis (Wake Forest) – Led the Deacons in tackles-for-loss (14) and sacks (7) a year ago; tied for 11th in program history with 12.5 career sacks.
DL: CJ Clark (NC State) – Started last five games of 2022 at defensive end; Co-recipient of the school’s Ken McNeill Iron Wolf Award given to the player who makes the biggest comeback from injury.
LB: Cedric Gray (North Carolina) – Preseason All-American led the Power Five in total tackles (145) a year ago; Posted a career-high 16 tackles in the ’22 win over Virginia, including a sack and two other tackles-for-loss
LB: Payton Wilson (NC State) – Spurned the NFL Draft to return for a sixth season with the Pack; hard-hitter ranked 15th in the ACC a year ago in tackles per game.
LB: Jeremy Lewis (East Carolina) – A starter for the Pirates each of the last 21 games, tallying 110 career tackles, 15 tackles-for-loss and 8.5 sacks; started collegiate career as a wide-receiver before moving to defense in spring 2021.
CB: Aydan White (NC State) – One of only 35 cornerbacks from around the nation named to the Jim Thorpe Award watch list; First-team All-ACC performer picked off four passes and played the most coverage snaps in the nation without allowing a TD in 2022, according to PFF.
CB: Shyheim Battle (NC State) – Had key interceptions in wins over Florida State and East Carolina; has recorded 98 career tackles, 5 INTs and 26 pass breakups.
S: Julius Wood (East Carolina) – Started 12 of Pirates’ 13 games a year ago, leading the team in tackles with 87; named preseason All-AAC by multiple outlets.
S: Nick Ross (Appalachian State) – One of the most experienced players in the state, with 52 game appearances and 15 starts; has wracked up 151 career tackles and two interceptions (including a 20-yard INT return for a touchdown against South Carolina).
Best In State FBS Honorable Mention Defense
DL: Davin Vann (NC State) – Started every game a year ago, earning both the Alpha Rising Award (given to the NCSU player showing exceptional improvement) and the Carey Brewbaker Award (most valuable defensive lineman with the Pack).
DL: Ja’Mion Franklin (Duke) – Team captain and returning starter has been named to Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and Wuerffel Trophy watch lists
DT: Myles Murphy (North Carolina) – Started 12 games on the line for the Heels a year ago, blocking a field goal against Georgia State.
DE: DeAndre Dingle-Prince (Appalachian State) – Started all 12 games a year ago, recovering a fumble and making a key tackle-for-loss in the win at Texas A&M.
DE: RJ Oben (Duke) – Impressive stat line over 38 games includes 23 starts, 14 tackles-for-loss, 9.5 sacks, one interception, five caused fumbles and 18 quarterback pressures.
JACK: Kaimon Rucker (North Carolina) – Started four games and played in 14 on the defensive line and at the Jack (edge/outside linebacker) position in 2022.
LB Power Echols (North Carolina) – Honorable mention All-ACC a year ago, started every game for the Heels and posted 103 tackles.
LB: Jalen McLeod (Appalachian State) – Forced two fumbles and made two sacks in the upset of Texas A&M.
LB Derek Boykins (Charlotte) – Injury cut short his season a year ago; named third-team preseason All-AAC by Phil Steele.
LB Nikhai Hill-Green (Charlotte) – Transfer from Michigan did not play a year ago but saw action for the Wolverines in 14 games in 2021 (with 50 tackles).
LB: Andrew Parker (Appalachian State) – Started 10 games and finished second on the team in tackles (68) a year ago.
DB: Brandon Johnson (Duke) – Returning starter at nickel has been named preseason All-ACC by multiple outlets
DB: Malik Mustapha (Wake Forest) – Has made at least one tackle in 22 of 23 games played, ranking fourth on the team a year ago with 58 hits.
DB: Jaylen Stinson (Duke) – Returning starter at safety has earned preseason All-ACC recognition as a kick-return specialist (also on our Best In State list as a special teams player)
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