The one-handed interception from Royal is beyond impressive. Late in the third quarter, Royal did well to read a deep ball, step up and pull down a one-handed interception where he extended just one arm to pull in the turnover.
And Royal walked away from it like the play was no big deal, simply tossing the ball to the game official. He palmed the top of the ball and managed to keep a foot in bounds while pulling down an incredible interception.
(Also, this is some really nice camera work for a high school football game).
The moxie to pull off this play in a state championship game, knowing full well that if he got it wrong, he was likely giving up six points…
Royal had a strong Power Five offer list that also included Arkansas, Boston College, Florida State, Illinois, Mississippi State, Missouri and South Carolina among other programs.
After an exciting Week 8, here’s our ACC power rankings heading into Week 10.
Another week of the 2022 college football season is behind us as each team around the ACC prepares for their upcoming Week 10 matchups.
Dabo Swinney and No.5 Clemson are coming off a much-needed bye week after the team remained undefeated with an 8-0 (6-0 ACC) record after a 27-21 comeback win over Syracuse. After being replaced by freshman Cade Klubnik in the third quarter, starting quarterback DJ Uiagalelei will look to bounce back in Week 10.
There were some great games around the ACC in Week 9, with some upsets dealt. No.10 Wake Forest got dismantled by Louisville, while Syracuse lost by double digits to Notre Dame.
In college football, anything can happen on any given Saturday, as we’ve seen this season. So, how did Week 9 shake things up in the ACC? Who rose in our and fell in our rankings?
Here’s a look at our ACC power rankings heading into 10:
After an exciting Week 3, here’s our ACC power rankings heading into Week 4.
Another week of the 2022 college football season is behind us as each team around the ACC prepares for their upcoming Week 4 matchups.
Florida State and Louisville battled it out in a close in-conference game, while the rest of the ACC had varying performances in their non-conference matchups. Teams such as Duke and Syracuse keep surprising people week in and week out, while Miami failed to live up to their previous No.13 ranking with a loss to Texas A&M.
It was an active week for the ACC, with its strong performances and its weaker ones.
Here’s a look at our ACC power rankings heading into Week 4:
Everything NFL draft fans need to know about North Carolina State offensive line prospect Ikem Ekwonu
North Carolina State’s Ikem “Ickey” Ekwonu is one of the cleanest offensive lineman in the upcoming 2022 NFL draft, with elite physical traits, and off-the-charts tape and production. His versatility at both tackle and guard could help make him the first offensive lineman off the board in a deep class.
Here is everything you need to know about the Wolfpack’s dominant blocker:
RALEIGH, N.C. – North Carolina State stunned Clemson, 27-21, Saturday at Carter-Finley Stadium to snap an eight-game losing streak to the Tigers for their first Textile Bowl win since 2011. The Wolfpack (3-1, 1-0 ACC) kept the ball out of Clemson’s …
RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina State stunned Clemson, 27-21, Saturday at Carter-Finley Stadium to snap an eight-game losing streak to the Tigers for their first Textile Bowl win since 2011.
The Wolfpack (3-1, 1-0 ACC) kept the ball out of Clemson’s hands for 41:48 in regulation before securing the victory in the second overtime period.
The Tigers’ loss marked the first time since 2014 they lost multiple games in September.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney knows his team needs to improve particularly on offense after another disappointing performance. And he noted that it has been a long time since one of his teams looked docile on that side of the ball.
“It’s been a long, long time. They had 96 plays to our 45 and I think they had the ball 40 minutes to our 18-19 and wore us down,” Swinney said. “It’s probably been since 2010, maybe, that year we weren’t very explosive and were in transition from a personnel standpoint.”
Clemson’s hopes for reaching a seventh straight College Football Playoff likely died this weekend as well. Since the start of the CFP no team has reached a semifinal after losing two games in the regular season.
The defeat also snapped Clemson’s 36-game winning streak against teams unranked in the AP Poll, the second-longest in school history. Clemson’s most recent defeat at the hands of an unranked squad had come in 2017 at Syracuse in the Carrier Dome.
The Tigers (2-2, 1-1 ACC) still have a lot to play for in the ACC, but face a tough test against undefeated Boston College at Memorial Stadium next Saturday.
Swinney, like many Clemson fans, left Carter-Finley with disappointment on Saturday. But he is focused on improving and continuing to approach every week with a “one-game season” mentality.
“There’s not any quit in us, I know everybody is disappointed and I’m disappointed, everybody is hurting,” Swinney said. “But we will show back up on Monday and go to work and see if we can find a way to win a game, that’s all we can focus on and all we are going to focus on.”
Clemson kicks off against the Eagles at 7:30 p.m. BC is 4-0 after Saturday’s overtime win against Missouri.
Football season has finally arrived. Time to represent your Tigers and show your stripes!
Clemson loaded up the buses on Friday afternoon en route to Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport before flying to Raleigh, North Carolina. The Tigers face off against North Carolina State as they renew the Textile Bowl Rivalry at …
Clemson loaded up the buses on Friday afternoon en route to Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport before flying to Raleigh, North Carolina.
The Tigers face off against North Carolina State as they renew the Textile Bowl Rivalry at Carter-Finley Stadium at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Clemson has won eight straight over the Wolfpack including 15 of the last 16 matchups.
Clemson Football posted pictures of the team leaving the Allen Reeves Football Complex and boarding the plane to NC State.
Clemson Variety & Frame is doing their part to help bring you some classic new barware and help one of the local businesses that helps make Clemson special.
Order your Nick’s barware and do your part to help. #SaveNicks
If baseball returning isn’t your thing then enjoy a huge win from Notre Dame’s 2017 football season tonight on the ND Athletics Youtube page
If you’re one of the few in the nation that hasn’t gotten tired of watching old games yet then it’s a good night for you to check out Notre Dame’s Thursday Night Watch Party.
That’s not meant as a knock at the premise whatsoever, it’s been fun to tune in and watch parts of old games with their YouTube setup the last few months. It’s just that tonight I’m really happy live, meaningful baseball is finally back.
As you may recall, Notre Dame entered the contest ranked in the top-ten while the Wolfpack weren’t half shabby themselves as they were ranked in the top 15 nationally.
Josh Adams had a long touchdown run that afternoon when “33 Trucking” was a Heisman campaign and a sophomore defensive back named Julian Love essentially ended the Wolfpack hopes of victory with a pick-six.
The win moved Notre Dame to 7-1 and at the time, had them thinking College Football Playoff for the first time in program history.
If you’re interested in re-watching tonight or at some point down the road, use the link right here and relive some of one of the best afternoons from a fun 2017.
Check out Draft Wire’s exclusive interview with North Carolina State defensive line prospect Larrell Murchison
NFL teams love prospects who never quit, and who have proven they can adjust to changing circumstances and still succeed. That’s why North Carolina State defensive lineman Larrell Murchison should hear his name called early in the 2020 NFL Draft.
A disruptive force with a nonstop motor, Murchison recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about making the transition from the junior college level to the ACC, his experience at the NFL Scouting Combine, and what kind of player he’ll be at the next level.
JM: You made the transition from JUCO to NC State. That can be a tough transition for some. What was your experience like?
LM: There was definitely a bit of a culture shock involved with that. There’s so much that goes into that. Typically, JUCO schools are a lot smaller. You might live right across the street from your classroom. You get to NC State and that’s a huge campus (laughs). There’s a lot more people around. There’s a lot of people from a lot of different backgrounds on your team.
I was basically starting from scratch. I spent two years at JUCO and I came in with those guys. There’s a lot of familiarity there. Coming out of JUCO, you’re not a part of the same class as those guys. The junior class had already established themselves. I’m a new guy coming to the school. I didn’t have that relationship with the junior class coming in. That was really the only hurdle for me.
JM: What was your experience like at the NFL Scouting Combine?
LM: It was a fun experience. It was a long week. There’s a lot of preparation that goes into it, both physically and mentally as you prepare for the on-field testing. I feel like things went well for me.
Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
JM: Taking every aspect of the combine into account, what do you feel is the overall impression that you left out there?
LM: I think a lot of teams realized that I’m a pretty athletic guy. I’m an athletic player that does exactly what he’s supposed to do out there. I feel like I checked a lot of boxes in Indianapolis.
JM: What was the strangest question you were asked at the combine?
LM: I didn’t really get anything too strange. I had a lot of questions about my background coming from JUCO and what not. Everything was pretty straight forward though. I guess I was one of the lucky ones.
JM: Were you able to make any private visits or workouts before COVID-19 shut everything down?
LM: Unfortunately, I was not. We had some things scheduled but they were all impacted by the spread of the virus. Everything I’ve done has been through telephone.
JM: Which teams have you been able to meet with via FaceTime and such?
LM: I’ve met with the Titans, Patriots, Jets and Giants so far. We have a few more teams on the schedule.
JM: At this point in time, are you more comfortable in the passing game or run game?
LM: I would say that I’m more comfortable in the run game for now. I feel good about my technique in the run game. That’s how I’ve been coached throughout my time as a football player. I understand how to stay low and strike a block in the run game. I’m able to penetrate and get into the backfield. I’ve been able to make a lot of plays in the run game.
Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
JM: What can you tell me about the scheme you guys ran at NC State and what your coaches asked of you?
LM: I played the 3-technique in our defense. I had to control my gap and do my job basically. We tried to build that wall in the middle of the defense. We were very much a gap-based defense that stayed in attack mode.
JM: You’re more comfortable against the run, but what can you tell me about your pass rush arsenal?
LM: I can be honest and say that it has room to grow. I can definitely say that. The ceiling is very high for me and I can’t wait to learn some new tricks and moves. Getting to the NFL means I get to meet new people, play for a new coaching staff and what not. I can’t wait to learn what they have to teach me. I’m excited for the opportunity.
JM: Who are some of the best offensive linemen you’ve gone up against?
LM: Colton McKivitz from West Virginia definitely stood out to me. Clemson had a great offensive line as a unit. I wouldn’t even name them individually, I thought they worked great as a unit. They were tough up front.
JM: What’s your favorite way to demoralize an offensive linemen?
LM: I’m not gonna lie to you, I love it when an offensive linemen feels like they have me early on in the rep but I just outwork them and still end up making the play. My motor always wins out at the end of the day. I end up making the play anyway. I run to the ball and continue to make plays in the backfield. I always try to get off the ball first. You’re not gonna outwork me. A lot of times, I get off the ball so quick that they think I’m offside. I’m never offside. That’s the best way for me to get into an offensive linemen’s head.
JM: When a team uses one of their draft picks on Larrell Murchison, what kind of guy are they getting?
LM: They’re getting a high-character guy, first and foremost. My motor is always running hot. I’m gonna give it my all for the team. I’m ready to learn, put my head down and get to work.
Check out Draft Wire’s exclusive interview with North Carolina State edge defender prospect James Smith-Williams
Even for some of the top prospects in the 2020 NFL draft class, planning for life after football should be a high priority, even as they prepare to make the jump to the pros in their current profession.
One prospect who already has a post-gridiron plan? North Carolina State edge defender James Smith-Williams, who recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about his focus on off-field endeavors, his experience at the NFL Scouting Combine, and why an NFL team should take a chance on him.
JM: You’ve put on 60 pounds since your freshmen season. What went into that transformation?
JSW: I embraced the motto that you eat with a purpose. I eat several meals a day. I make sure that I’m getting my protein, carbohydrates and calories in. We have such a great staff at NC State. They really helped me transform my body. They’ve helped out so many guys in the weight room. They were very beneficial to my transformation and overall development.
JM: You spent the summer of 2018 working a paid internship with IBM. You were working within their robotic automation department. You actually have a job waiting for you with IBM once your football career comes to an end. Tell me a little about that experience.
JSW: I’ve actually worked a paid internship at IBM for the last two summers now. I first worked in their RPA department, that stands for Robotic Process Automation. I was working the daily tasks. I was putting emails together, gathering different reports and making sure the proper information was reaching the higher ups. I was putting things into spreadsheets and making sure the process was properly automated.
In 2019, I worked more on the marketing side for them. I was working with Photoshop and what not. I actually helped create a commercial that they’re currently using internally. That was a cool experience. I’ve been really blessed and fortunate to receive an opportunity at IBM, and I definitely did everything I could to make the most of it. They decided that they wanted me to become a permanent member of their team. I have a job waiting for me there one day. It’s a huge blessing.
James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
JM: How important was it for you to plan for life after football?
JSW: It’s incredibly important. Growing up, I was always more focused on academics than anything. I was gonna go to Columbia for med school. NC State offered me a scholarship, and the opportunity to play football at NC State while remaining close to home was too tempting to pass up. I fell in love with that offer. I wanted to make sure that I had a plan. Obviously, football started to take shape for me. I had a future in the sport and I decided to take that route. I’m very blessed. I was also fortunate to receive the opportunity at IBM. That opened up a whole new avenue for me. I’ve enjoyed every step of the way.
JM: NC State head coach Dave Doeren asked you to wear the No. 1 jersey in 2019. That’s something that means a lot to the program, and it’s only given to student athletes that exemplify work ethic, character and leadership. What did that honor mean to you?
JSW: It was awesome. I’ve had the pleasure to see a lot of great guys wear the No. 1 jersey for us. Jaylen Samuels received the same honor, and he’s with the Pittsburgh Steelers now. It’s meant for somebody that handles his business both on and off the field, and in the community as well. It really meant a lot to me.
JM: You suffered a lower-body injury that cost you part of the 2019 season. Where are you at health-wise right now?
JSW: I feel great. I was fortunate enough that it wasn’t an injury that required surgery. I just needed time to rest and fully heal and recover. I was fortunate enough to spend a lot of time at EXOS during my pre-draft preparation and was able to rehab at their top-notch facilities. I was able to go to the combine and be a full participant. I was fortunate that it wasn’t a serious injury. I feel great right now.
JM: What was your experience like at the NFL Scouting Combine?
JSW: There’s nothing like it. Everyone sees the stuff on TV, the exciting stuff like the 40-yard dash or broad jump. I feel like the drills were the least important aspect of the combine. The medicals and interviews play a huge role. You’re up late at night and early in the morning. It’s a crazy, hectic process. I think I did a pretty good job out there.
(Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
JM: How would you describe your pass rush arsenal?
JSW: I’m a guy that loves to work speed-to-power. I use that to open up a whole realm of possibilities. I have some speed in my arsenal as well. Power is a very important aspect of my game. I have some finesse moves as well. I’m always gonna go power first.
JM: Were you able to get any private visits or workouts in before the spread of COVID-19 shut everything down?
JSW: I was not. Our pro day was unfortunately canceled. I was very lucky and fortunate to have the East-West Shrine Game and combine as opportunities to showcase my talent and meet with some teams in person. I had a chance to get out in front of the scouts. I had some visits lined up but of course they were all canceled.
JM: What were some of the visits that you had lined up?
JSW: I had a lot of visits set up surrounded around my pro day. I had some lunch and dinner plans. They were all visits scheduled around my pro day. We were gonna watch film together and hop on the white board.
The New York Jets were coming to town. I had something set up with the Patriots and Titans. The Ravens and Chargers were gonna meet me at my pro day as well. Those are the ones I can recall. I had a whole bunch of meetings planned. I’ve had some meetings via FaceTime as well.
JM: Who are some of the teams that you’ve met with via FaceTime and what not?
JSW: I’ve met with the Jaguars, Giants, Titans, Ravens and Jets. There’s probably another handful of teams that I can’t recall at this moment. My schedule is pretty hectic right now.
JM: Why should an NFL team use one of their draft picks on James Smith-Williams?
JSW: I have a lot of intangibles to bring to the table. I’m a coach-able guy. I’m gonna come in and work extremely hard at my craft. I think my body of work proves that I’m a hard working guy, I worked hard to transform my body and I was able to secure that paid internship at IBM as well. I’m a versatile guy that can rush the passer out of a variety of stances. I can rush off the edge, I can stop the run and I can drop back into coverage as well. I’ve played both inside and outside. I’m gonna add a lot to a team both on and off the field.
