NC State’s Sean Brown Leads ACC in Crucial Statistical Category

Playing to the Standard

The Wolfpack program has a history of strong linebacker play. Both Brown and Fordham were expected to be the next duo to play to those standards set by veterans like Isaiah Moore, Payton Wilson and Drake Thomas in years past.

Fordham and Brown combined for 57 tackles in the first three games, often competing for the top tackler title in each matchup. Even with those strong tackling performances, Brown hasn't been satisfied with his individual performance or the unit he leads onto the field each drive.

• "We all know what we need to fix and we all know that we just need to go out there and just execute as a team, offense and defense. With those wins, everybody knows that we haven't played our best brand of football, but we did put in the work and grinded it out and got the win," Brown said. "We all know that if we come out fast and execute as a team, then we know we can put some points on the board and stop them."

One Area to Improve

Brown struggled against the run in the Wolfpack's start to the season. It's an area the team as a whole was exposed in against Virginia, in particular, but Brown will need to step up if the defense wants to improve as the season moves forward.

Against Wake Forest, Brown posted a rush defense score of 44.4 according to Pro Football Focus. While PFF isn't a perfect system, the linebacker's struggles against the run are noticeable during the games. Opposing offenses created wide lanes and took advantage of both Brown and Fordham in the first three weeks.

Critical Leadership

During the team's 3-0 start, the defense struggled in the first halves of games. Because of those issues, the unit needed halftime resets in both the Virginia and Wake Forest games. While some former players don't believe in the importance of halftime adjustments, Brown's impact in the locker room has been palpable.

Multiple players were asked about the halftime leaders. Every single one brought up Brown as one of the loudest voices in the room. However, when Brown was asked who's been vocal, he took no credit.

• "It's really been everybody. All of the leaders that we have on the team, you've got CJ (Bailey), Caden (Fordham), just a whole bunch of other guys really just talking to each other and their position group or their side of the ball," Brown said. "... There's no quit in us. Just keep fighting."

The latest test for Brown and the Wolfpack defense will be a stiff one. Despite starting the season 1-2, Duke poses several unique challenges for NC State. Brown will need to be on point for the Wolfpack to continue the undefeated start.

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