The highly anticipated 2024 NFL Draft is around the corner, with many college prospects set to take their talents to the pros. But, as has been the custom every year, they will need to show what they’ve got at the Scouting Combine first.
North Carolina State will likely see a few of their former players drafted. The program has been a solid contributor when it comes to the league’s selection process and had several of its stars join teams in 2023, with the likes of Thayer Thomas, Chandler Zavala, and Drake Thomas among them.
This time around, a handful of players hope to hear their names during the draft, having received invitations to the Combine. Find out who they are right below.
Payton Wilson
The former four-star recruit from Orange High School has had an impressive career as a linebacker for NC State and, with sports betting in North Carolina to be a thing by the time the draft comes around, he could be one of the players who impact the punting among residents.
Wilson played 11 games as a sophomore, recording 49 tackles while assisting 13. He also recorded three pass breakups and an interception in coverage, with his pass rushing also decent as he made seven total pressures and a sack.
His fifth year was his best as he played in 12 games, making 92 tackles, assisting 31, as well as three passes defended and three interceptions. He had an impressive rating of 47.2 when targetted by quarterbacks. His pass rushing was also excellent as he logged nine QB hurries, seven QB hits, and six sacks.
Dylan McMahon
Dylan McMahon also spent five years with NC State, playing as a center for the Wolfpack. He was attributed a three-star rating by ESPN and 247 Sports ahead of his move from Savannah Christian Prep High School.
He played four games in his freshman year, seeing 100 total snaps in which he allowed four quarterback rushes, zero QB hits, and zero sacks at left guard. Most of his 547 snaps the following year were played from the right guard position as he made nine appearances, allowing 11 rushes, two QB hits, and a single snap.
Playing as a junior in 2021, McMahon saw 810 snaps in 12 games. The quarterback was sacked a total of three times on his watch, with opposition teams recording a combined four QB hits and 11 QB hurries. He played the majority of his snaps at left guard that season.
His senior year in 2022 was a lot better as he allowed a single sack playing primarily at right guard and center. He also allowed 10 QB hurries and two QB hits.
McMahon played 10 games in his senior year last season, taking 621 snaps in which he permitted nine rushes, one QB hit, and one sack.
He is considered to be one of the most versatile centers coming from college and could be a late-round pick. The Las Vegas Raiders are reported to hold interest.
Joe Shimko
Joe Shimko might be the best long-snapper in the nation, he is considered to be by many.
You may have never heard of him, which is always a positive indicator where the position is concerned. You rarely ever hear about long snappers unless they suck, which is certainly not the case for Shimko.
“Long snapping was never something I saw a future in until I realized the kind of future I could have,” he said back in 2022. “It became my path to get into college and a way to play in the NFL.”
It appears he was correct as he’s likely to be picked in this year’s draft after a remarkable career with the Wolfpack.
Shimko became a starter for the program in 2019, taking all 108 kicks that season. He notched a record 114 snaps in 2020.
He was named a fourth-team All-American by Phil Steele the following year and a second-team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association in 2022.
He won the Patrick Manelly Award (given to the best long snapper in the nation) last season, having made it as a semifinalist the previous term. Shimko hasn’t made a single bad snap in 61 college appearances.
