NC State wants relentless pressure on defense. Its new-look depth up front could be key.

As NC State coach Dave Doeren stood on the main stage at ACC Kickoff at the Hilton Charlotte Uptown two weeks ago, he stressed the importance of getting after the quarterback. It was a key reason why he hired D.J. Eliot to run the Wolfpack’s defense with his reputation of having an aggressive pass rush.  Getting into the backfield was an area that Doeren felt like the Pack struggled to perform well a year ago, especially on third down as the defense couldn’t consistently get off the field, allowing a 38-percent conversion rate. Eliot, a journeyman defensive mind, was exactly who NC State’s 13th-year coach wanted to tab with improving that.