NC State has a strong group of 2022 NFL Draft prospects set to take the field at the team’s pro day. Who are the top players on the list of attendees, and what should you watch for at the showcase?
When is NC State’s Pro Day in 2022?
Date: Tuesday, March 29
Time: 12:00 PM ET
Check the full 2022 pro day schedule to get a clear look at which events still have yet to play out.
Top NFL Draft prospects working out at NC State Pro Day
NC State has a host of prospects on tap to appear at the team’s 2022 Pro Day. However, one prospect stands head and shoulders above the rest. That’s offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu, who’s widely projected to be an early first-round pick.
Ikem Ekwonu, OT
Ikem Ekwonu‘s ascent has been truly astonishing. The NC State offensive lineman was a highly regarded talent coming into the season. But after a dominant campaign in ACC play, he rode his athleticism and tenacious style to top-32 conversation. Now, he’s a favorite to fall within the top 10 if he’s not the top tackle selected.
Ekwonu tested at the NFL Combine and performed fairly well. At 6’4″, 310 pounds, with 34″ arms, Ekwonu ran a 4.93 40-yard dash and had a 29″ vertical and 108″ broad jump. He came away with a Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 8.31. Ekwonu could look to improve that at the 2022 NC State Pro Day, but he’s already in a good spot. More important for him will be the interviews, but he’s also highly regarded there.
Zonovan Knight, RB
Nicknamed “Bam” for his physical style, Zonovan Knight is one of the more popular sleeper running backs in the 2022 NFL Draft class. Knight is a well-rounded player, but one of his main flaws might be that he lacks an elite trait. His NFL Combine showing reinforced that fact. Knight measured in at 5’10 7/8″, 209 pounds — solid but not overwhelming size. He also ran a modest 4.58 40-yard dash, with a 31″ vertical and a 114″ broad.
Knight’s lack of elite speed and explosiveness shows up on tape, but his physical edge is apparent. And he also flashes the ability to receive passes out of the backfield, which will accentuate his three-down ability at the next level. Performing well in pass-catching drills at the 2022 NC State Pro Day will help Knight transcend his limitations.
Emeka Emezie, WR
He wasn’t invited to the 2022 NFL Combine, but wide receiver Emeka Emezie is one of the more intriguing prospects at NC State’s 2022 Pro Day. Emezie is listed at 6’3″, 220 pounds. He caught 60 passes for 802 yards and 6 touchdowns in 2021 and was one of the few receivers all season that gave Clemson’s Andrew Booth Jr. trouble on passing downs.
Emezie has great size and catching instincts, but his athletic testing is likely what scouts will be looking at. The veteran has the experience to offset any potential weak spots — he caught 229 passes for 2,895 yards and 19 touchdowns across his NC State career. But in a deep WR class, Emezie’s testing numbers may decide whether or not he’s drafted.
Ricky Person Jr., RB
Knight has the most name recognition, but he’s not the only NC State running back in the 2022 NFL Draft. Ricky Person Jr. also declared early, forgoing his final year of eligibility to have a shot at coming off the board in late April. Person ate into Knight’s workload in 2021, amassing 636 yards and 5 touchdowns on 135 carries. He also caught 28 passes for 240 yards and 2 scores.
Person has a thicker frame than Knight, listed at 6’1″, 222 pounds. However, his athleticism questions may be even more distinct. Person runs with little discernible burst or speed on tape. He more often uses his thick frame to churn through contact and grind out tough yards. For Person, athletic testing will be even more important. He’s already viewed as a likely UDFA.
Vi Jones, LB
If there’s one more prospect to keep a close eye on at NC State’s 2022 Pro Day, it’s linebacker Vi Jones. A former USC recruit, Jones transferred to NC State after the 2018 season. After sitting out a year per transfer rules at the time, Jones quickly became a contributor for the Wolfpack defense. In 2021, Jones collected 45 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, and 4 forced fumbles.
Jones could’ve stayed for another season, along with fellow linebacker prospect Payton Wilson. But he instead chose to declare for the 2022 NFL Draft. Listed at 6’3″, 227 pounds, Jones brings intriguing size and flashes speed and explosiveness on tape. The NC State Pro Day is Jones’ chance to draw the attention of scouts — and it’s likely the last chance he’ll get.
Other prospects to watch at 2022 NC State Pro Day
Ekwonu is the alpha of the Wolfpack. But there are still almost a half-dozen more prospects to add to your watch list ahead of the NC State Pro Day. The remaining prospects are listed as follows:
- Daniel Joseph, EDGE: A 6’3″, 265-pound Penn State transfer who accumulated 19 tackles for loss and 11 sacks over the past two seasons at NC State.
- C.J. Riley, WR: A looming size threat at receiver, listed at 6’4″, 230 pounds. He racked up 58 catches for 725 yards and 7 touchdowns in four seasons at NC State.
- Dylan Parham, TE: Not to be confused with the Memphis offensive lineman, NC State’s Dylan Parham is a tight end who was mainly a reserve for NC State. Listed at 6’5″, 245 pounds, he caught 12 passes for 110 yards and 2 scores across five seasons.
- Tyrone Riley, OT: A 2015 recruit who transitioned from defensive end to offensive tackle midway through his NC State career. Riley had an injured-riddled tenure with the Wolfpack and spent 2021 as the backup right tackle.
- Trenton Gill, P: One of the more experienced punters on the 2022 NFL Draft circuit, Trenton Gill was the starter for NC State for three seasons. From 2019 to 2021, he logged 173 punts, averaging 45.8 yards per punt.