NC State football: Five best safeties

Some history could be made this fall in NC State football. Dave Doeren is six wins away from setting a new school record for most victories.

How many of Doeren’s players over the past 10 years would rank among the best in their position groups? During the month of July, TheWolfpacker.com is ranking the top five at all spots on the field in NC State football history.

At the safety position, all the players on the list pre-dated not only Doeren, but his predecessor Tom O’Brien.

5. Adrian Wilson (1998-00)

Of all the safeties to have played at NC State, Wilson makes a strong case for being the most talented. However, most of his accolades came after his Wolfpack playing days were over. Wilson was a second-team All-ACC choice in 2000 before turning pro as a junior, but he also had one of the most decorated NFL careers for a Pack Pro.

After being drafted in the third round by the Arizona Cardinals, Wilson was a three-time All-Pro selection and five-time Pro Bowler. He has been inducted into the Arizona Cardinals Ring of Honor after finishing his 13-year NFL career with 894 tackles (including 25.5 sacks), 14 forced fumbles and 27 interceptions. He added four defensive touchdowns.

Wilson is now a NFL executive with the Carolina Panthers. His son, Santana Wilson, was a top NC State football recruiting target before verbally committing to Texas.

4. Eric Williams (1978-82)

Williams was the definition of a ball-hawking safety. His three picks against Duke in 1979 remain tied for a school record in a single game. Two years later, he led the ACC with seven interceptions. His 16 career picks for NC State are only topped by David Amerson in school history. Williams’ 22 pass breakups are tied for 14th most among Wolfpackers.

The 1982 All-ACC selection is one of just two NC State defenders to lead the team in picks for three separate years. Hassan Shamsid-Dean is the other.

Williams was selected in the sixth round of the NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers and played five years in the NFL, intercepting 10 passes in the pros.

3. Mike Reid (1989-92)

Reid had to wait his turn at NC State football, and for good reason as explained later on the list, but he turned in back-to-back big seasons in 1991 and 1992. Reid earned All-American honors in the latter and all-conference mentions in both.

During those two years, Reid compiled 171 tackles (including nine for loss), five interceptions and 27 pass breakups. That passes broken up tally is 11th most in program history. For good measure, Reid was also a good special teams performer who blocked three punts for the Wolfpack.

Reid was chosen in the third round of the 1993 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles and played three years in the pros.

2. Terrence Holt (1999-02)

The younger of the legendary Holt brothers at NC State, Terrence Holt was a first-team All-American and semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, given to college football’s top defensive back, in 2002. He was also a three-time All-ACC selection.

Through his career, Holt tallied 315 tackles, 20 pass breakups and four interceptions. That total hits figure is tied for 16th most in NC State football history among those who played four or less years. He also was perhaps the greatest special teams player in NC State history, blocking an ACC record 12 kicks in his career. Each season saw Holt have multiple block.

Holt was drafted in the fifth round by the Detroit Lions. He played six seasons in the NFL and had eight interceptions.

1. Jesse Campbell (1988-90)

Campbell burst onto the scene in his debut season, leading the ACC with five interceptions and being named the conference’s Rookie of the Year. He was also received the first of three consecutive first-team all-conference selections. Only two other defensive players in NC State football history can claim that.

Campbell also forced six fumbles that year, establishing himself as an intimidating presence in the secondary. He had six more forced fumbles in 1989 and three in 1990.

The All-American in 1989 and 1990 turned pro after that, concluding his Wolfpack career with 269 tackles, including 22 for loss and five sacks. He had 15 forced fumbles, six fumbles recoveries, seven interceptions and 30 pass breakups.

The second round NFL Draft pick played seven years professionally, finishing with 404 tackles and seven interceptions.

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