Possible impact on NDSU in 2015.
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FARGO – The North Dakota State redshirt freshman class may be counted on more than previously expected in light of a couple of depth chart defections this week. Wide receiver Carey Woods and linebacker James Gates both decided to give up the game.
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Head coach Chris Klieman said he believes both players will remain in school. Woods and Gates were both listed as primary backups at their respective decisions with Woods, a junior, heading into his fourth year in the program. He had 16 receptions last year for 165 yards and made his biggest mark in an FCS quarterfinal playoff win over Coastal Carolina with four catches for 48 yards.
His departure opens a door even further for freshmen receivers Khayvon Hawkins and Darrius Shepherd. Senior Zach Vraa and sophomore R.J. Urzendowski are the starters with senior Nate Moody expected to return from a knee injury next season. The Bison also have sophomore Tyler Wrice and junior Eric Perkins who have seen the field.
Gates, from Menomonie, Wis., played in just three games on special teams and the emergence of freshmen outside linebackers Dan Marlette and Levi Jordheim may have factored into his depth chart status. Marlette is to the point where he is being heavily considered as the No. 2 guy behind starter M.J. Stumpf.
Although there was still some evaluation that needed to be done after Saturday’s second intrasquad scrimmage of the spring at Gate City Bank Field at the Fargodome, Klieman believes Marlette is likely to be in the top five or six linebackers.
“So I envision him playing, you bet,” he said.
Like a lot of young defensive players, Marlette said just trying to get a grasp of the technical Tampa 2 defense has seen its share of mental hurdles.
“Physically I’m starting to get a hold of it,” he said. “It’s to the point where I can look at plays and point out what I did wrong. It’s a learning process.”
The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Marlette was a two-time South Dakota all-state selection at Sioux Falls Washington High School. In track and field, he was a member of a state-winning relay team and took second in the 300-meter hurdles.
“Effort is everything on this defense,” he said.
Asked if he is preparing himself to play in the fall, Marlette said, “Preparing, yes, but I have to put myself in a position to achieve that.”
On the whole, the defense put itself in better positions in the Saturday scrimmage, Klieman said. The offense had the upper hand in the first half of spring practice, but the head coach said his defense made big strides this week – one week before the annual Spring Game next Saturday.
He pointed specifically at senior cornerbacks C.J. Smith and Jordan Champion who provided some leadership. The coaches would like to see junior middle linebacker Nick DeLuca make strides in that area as well.
“You go against (quarterback) Carson Wentz every day and you’re going to get better and you’re going to get challenged,” Klieman said. “I know last week wasn’t their best performance and they would admit that but this week as a whole and culminating today, I thought our guys competed really well. There was a lot more energy and emotion on the defensive side today.”
Klieman said offensive tackle Jack Plankers suffered an ankle sprain, but should be full strength for the start of summer conditioning.
“We’ll look at the tape but we’re moving the team forward,” Klieman said. “We’re moving the 2015 team forward and that was a really good week.”
Stumpf led the Bison in tackles Saturday with seven. Marlette had five. Wentz remained efficient in spring ball hitting 7 of 10 passes for 110 yards and three touchdowns. Vraa had four receptions with two going for touchdowns.
