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David Amerson, N.C. State's all-time leader in interceptions with 18 in his career, cashed in on his early entry to the NFL draft Friday night when he was selected in the second round, 51st overall, by the Washington Redskins. His teammate, quarterback Mike Glennon, followed a round later when Tampa Bay pegged him as its quarterback of the future with the draft's 73rd pick.
After a sophomore season that saw him lead the nation with 13 interceptions, Amerson was named a Walter Camp and ESPN all-American. The Greensboro native also took home the Jack Tatum award, an honor given annually to the nation's top defensive back. Amerson seemed to be a first round lock prior to the 2012 season, but he struggled mightily at times, getting beat deep routinely against Tennessee and Miami and becoming the scapegoat (along with since-ousted head coach Tom O'Brien) for a Wolfpack team that stumbled to a 7-6 record. A strong showing at the combine, where he showed excellent speed to go with ideal size at the corner position (6-3, 195), helped redeem his draft status. Either that or the Redskins lost his game tapes from 2012.
Glennon, a fifth year senior in 2012 who was a two-year starter for the Pack, is the only gunslinger in school history to throw for 30 or more touchdowns in more than one season. His 63 career touchdown throws rank third in school history behind only Phillip Rivers and Russell Wilson, and Glennon will hope to join those Pack alums as NFL starters. Glennon and Rivers are the only N.C. State signal callers to throw for over 4,000 yards in a season, and Glennon's 310 yards a game last season led the ACC and was good for 11th nationally. If there are knocks on the 6-6 righty, they are that he was prone to the interception (17 in 2012) and he lacks mobility.
Glennon will likely hold the clipboard for Josh Freeman in 2013, but he definitely is heading to a franchise where he will have a shot at wrestling away a starting job. The Bucs were just 7-9 last year, and Freeman ranked 19th in the NFL with a pedestrian 81.6 passer rating. His 17 interceptions were the fifth most in the league.
Earl Wolff, Zach Allen, Brandan Bishop, and R.J. Mattes remain on the board among Pack alum that may see their names called this weekend.