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Devin Leary touts the abilities of Tyler Baker-Williams, other NC State DBs

On3 imageby: Ethan McDowell07/26/22ethanmmcdowell
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NC State defensive back Tyler Baker-Williams. (Photo by Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

It’s well-known that NC State nickel Tyler Baker-Williams is one of the best at his position in the ACC. When discussing a stacked 2022 defense at ACC Kickoff last week, quarterback Devin Leary heaped praise on the defensive back. 

Leary said Baker-Williams, who has started 23 games over four years with the Wolfpack split between safety and nickel, is one of the hardest teammates to compete against each day in practice. The Wolfpacker asked Leary who the toughest NC State defensive back to compete against is. At first, he gave the most on-brand answer a quarterback can possibly provide. 

“I mean, it’s tough from a quarterback perspective because I think ball placement beats everything regardless of coverage,” Leary said. 

After that comment, Leary elaborated and explained that Baker-Williams is, as expected, one of the most talented football players on the NC State roster. The nickel battled injuries in 2021 but still put up solid numbers, making 32 tackles, intercepting two passes and breaking up four more over ten games. 

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During his junior year, Baker-Williams racked up 60 tackles, eight pass breakups, five tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. All of those stats are career highs, and he received the 2020 DeWayne Washington Award given to NC State’s top defensive back each year. 

“Tyler Baker-Williams is a very good coverage nickel,” Leary said. “He’s probably one of the best I’ve ever gone against.”

Baker-Williams returns for his fifth season in an experienced defense primed for a special season. His versatility, whether he’s dropping into coverage and intercepting a deep pass or rushing the quarterback, the defensive back’s versatility will be crucial to the Wolfpack’s defensive success this season. 

Experienced NC State defensive backs impress Devin Leary

In addition to Baker-Williams, Leary made sure to mention a pair of Wolfpack defensive backs who will be returning to the program’s defense as graduate students. 

“Two guys that played last year that got hurt, Cyrus Fagan and Derrek Pitts, are very good players,” Leary said. 

Both Fagan and Pitts transferred to NC State before the 2021 season. Fagan, who started his career at Florida State saw playing time at safety before suffering a season-ending injury against Mississippi State. He will be a part of a really exciting position battle at safety along with Jakeen Harris.

Pitts was a consistent presence for the Wolfpack last year, starting 11 or 12 games and leading NC State in snaps at 628. The sixth-year athlete started his career at West Virginia when NC State defensive coordinator Tony Gibson was on staff with the Mountaineers. He then transferred to Marshall for two years before returning to the power-five level in Raleigh. Pitts made 43 tackles and intercepted two passes last year.

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