Wolfpack lands two defensive linemen

By: By Bill Cole | JOURNAL REPORTER
Published: January 13, 2009

Two promising high-school defensive linemen will play their college football at N.C. State.

Joining the 2009 recruiting class are Raynard Randolph, a 6-3, 300-pound tackle from Brandywine, Md., and Deion Roberson, a 6-4, 258-pound tackle from Tucker, Ga.

The players can sign the binding national letter of intent on Feb. 4 when the NCAA's football signing period will begin. N.C. State's class numbers 26 commitments.

Randolph was ranked the No. 22 senior in the preseason in the Mid-Atlantic area of Maryland, West Virginia, Delaware and Washington, D.C., by SuperPrep, a high-school football recruiting magazine.

Roberson missed all but two plays of his senior season because of a severe injury but was ranked the No. 54 senior in Georgia in the preseason by SuperPrep.

Randolph was offered scholarships by 13 schools, among them Penn State, Tennessee, Maryland, West Virginia, Michigan State, Syracuse, Illinois, Louisville and Connecticut. He said that he was glad to have his decision made so he can return to a normal life.

"It was crazy," Randolph said. "When I went to N.C. State I kind of had the pressure relieved off me. It felt like the right choice. I'm glad I can stay close to home."

Randolph was a four-year starter at Gwynn Park High School. He started on the defensive line the last three seasons and was a starter on the offensive line as a ninth-grader.

Randolph had 68 tackles, four sacks and an interception as a senior. He helped his team go 8-2 in Class 2-A play (the next-to-smallest sized schools) and reach the first round of the state playoffs.

He has 5.2-second speed over 40 yards. He is a member of the track team and competes in the shot put. He will play defensive tackle at N.C. State.

"I consider myself a run-stopper," Randolph said. "I've got quick feet. Coaches agree with me on that. My hand work is good but it can be improved greatly. Coaches tell me that my first step at the snap of the ball is wonderful."

Roberson suffered a severely dislocated left ankle in Tucker High's season-opener on Aug. 29th when a teammate was blocked into his leg. He did not play again all season.

He was still recruited and offered scholarships by West Virginia, East Carolina, Louisville, Maryland, Memphis and Michigan State. As a junior he had 35 tackles, including 12 for losses, and three sacks. He had 4.9-second speed before the injury.

■ Bill Cole can be reached at bcole@wsjournal.com.