Why NC State freshman LBs Ke'Von Carter, LaCorian Hodge are ready to step up in injury-riddled position group

NC State’s linebacker room has been hampered by injuries all season. It started with redshirt sophomore Kelvon McBride out for the first five games, while he was later joined by junior AJ Richardson just two weeks into the year.  And now that McBride is back healthy, ready to return to the field against Campbell this Saturday afternoon (2 p.m., ACCNX), the Wolfpack will be without starting middle linebacker Sean Brown, one of the team’s captains, after he was injured against Virginia Tech.  Although the Pack’s linebacker room has yet to be fully healthy this fall, the constant revolving door in the training room has allowed freshmen Ke’Von Carter and LaCorian Hodge to break into the lineup. The duo has teamed up on the team’s kick and punt return units, while both have seen rotational snaps in the middle of NC State’s defense through the first five games this fall.  While it’s surprising to see any freshman crack any part of the Wolfpack’s three phases — only nine of the team’s 22 true first-year players have seen game action this season — it’s even more impressive that both Carter and Hodge have done it.