Stanford heads to Raleigh after losing five straight games including a 27-24 home matchup against Wake Forest last weekend. Here is a brief scouting report on several of the best players for the Cardinal.

OFFENSE

#14 QB Ashton Daniels 6’2 215 Junior
Ashton Daniels is an experienced starting quarterback for Stanford. This being his second full season as a starter. It hasn’t gone as planned so far for him, having only thrown for 941 yards, 6 tds and 8 ints so far this season. He is one of the better running quarterbacks in the ACC considering he leads Stanford in rush yards this season at 352 yards.

His best game so far this season was against Cal Poly where he went 19/21 and threw for 221 yards and 2 tds. If NC State just executes on defense, they should give Daniels a lot of trouble operating in the pocket. 

#20 HB Micah Ford 6’0 210 Freshman
Micah Ford is one of two talented freshman running backs for the Stanford Cardinal. Like most teams NC State has faced this season, Stanford uses a “thunder and lightning” approach with their run game. Using a two-back system with Ford as the power back, and Davis Jr. being the speedster. Ford runs with purpose and power, he’s been efficient this year with 4.3 yards per carry.

NC State can’t keep overshooting run fits against this run first offense. NC State will need to be mindful of these two backs and not underestimate them. It’s surprising seeing Stanford have two productive freshman running backs, with both of them being 3-star recruits out of high school. This will give them a strong run game for years to come as well. 

#5 HB Chris Davis Jr. 5’10 185 Freshman
Chris Davis Jr. is the “lightning” of this rush attack for Stanford. Standing at a smaller 5’10 185, he is elusive, and has good field vision. Being able to hit his gaps with purpose and speed allows him to get to the 2nd level and onwards with ease.

Even though he was just a 3-star recruit out of high school, he has proven that he has the talent and capability to play on this level and have success. If NC State wants to have success at stopping either of these running backs, the linebacker play will be key. 

#13 WR Elic Ayomanor 6’2 210 Junior
Elic Ayomanor is by far the Cardinal’s best deep threat.

He currently has some NFL draft buzz because of his 1,013 yard season last year as a sophomore. He could certainly find himself getting drafted in the 2nd or 3rd round as of now. That being said, he’s had a lot of attention from every defense he’s gone against and still has been able to produce and make plays. Having 484 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns on the year so far. I would expect NC State to double team him with a safety overtop a fair amount.

He should be someone you keep an eye on for obvious pass downs and 3rd downs. I wouldn’t be surprised if he makes some plays regardless of what NC State tries to do because he’s just that good. He has excellent ball skills as well for a receiver, so NC State’s defensive backs will need to have great discipline when in coverage. 

#86 TE Sam Roush 6’5 242 Junior
Stanford, like NC State also likes to involve tight ends in their passing offense. Sam Roush is a larger framed tight end standing at 6’5 242. He’s on pace to have a career best in receiving yards this season. Only having 288 receiving yards this season, he’s already at 241 yards receiving this year with 2 touchdowns, which were the first two in his college career. Roush being a 4-star recruit being able to finally produce career numbers as a junior does a lot for Stanford’s offense.

Being able to have a safety blanket type of option for Ashton Daniels over the middle makes Daniels’ life much easier. Once again, for NC State to beat Stanford, their linebackers will need to be stout against the run and in coverage. They’ll have a lot on their plate this week, however, with Coach Gibson they should be ready for the challenge. 

DEFENSE

#40 DT Tobin Phillips 6’3 295 Graduate
Tobin Phillips fits the physical profile of what you’d want at defensive tackle. Has the arm length to work around interior lineman, and plays with a lot of physicality. Which is a centerpiece for Phillips’ game. Already matching a career high in sacks this season with 2.5, as well as showing skills as a run defender with 3 tackles for loss so far this season.

He will be one of the more underrated defensive tackles that NC State C Zeke Correll will have to face this season. Correll who has been stout in pass protection this year will have his work cut out for him. 

#23 Edge David Bailey 6’3 240 Junior
David Bailey is a third year edge rusher for the Cardinal. With the frame that would mold perfectly into a Base 3-4 outside linebacker. He’s gotten a fair amount of NFL draft buzz after his impressive sophomore season with 5 sacks and 6 tackles for loss in 2023. He’s continued to show why his draft stock is what it is. He currently has 4 sacks and 5 tackles for loss so far this season.

He has quickly become one of the better young edge rushers in the ACC so far this season. He has enough speed and bend to give guys like Anthony Belton or Jacarrius Peak some trouble. I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up being double teamed almost every snap. 

#8 LB Tristian Sinclair 6’1 221 Graduate
Tristian Sinclair is the current leading tackler for the Cardinal defense with 63 total tackles. Which is what you’d want out of a 5th year senior linebacker. He’s been at the very least a solid rotational linebacker for Stanford’s defense since the 2021 season when he was sophomore. Having just 28 total tackles in that year.

Since then he’s improved each year into being a strong run defense linebacker. He doesn’t miss many tackles either so watching him try to stop guys like Hollywood Smothers will be something I’ll be keeping my eye on.  

#31 CB Aaron Morris 5’11 186 Sophomore
Aaron Morris is probably one of the best young corners in the ACC. This is his first season getting starting reps and he hasn’t disappointed. With 4 PBUs on the year and 22 total tackles. He’s yet to earn his first career interception but that doesn’t mean he isn’t good in coverage. You can’t underestimate him because he’s 5’11 either.

There have been and are plenty of really good corners who are shorter than 6’0. However, I think this is something NC State’s receivers can take advantage of matchup wise. I’d want Noah Rogers, Wesley Grimes, or Dacari Collins lined-up against him as much as possible to give them size advantages. 

#6 CB Collin Wright 6’0 192 Junior
Collin Wright is a ball-hawking corner for the Stanford Cardinal. Leading their defense this season with 2 interceptions. He’s been getting fewer targets per game since teams are becoming more aware of his ball skills. Having longer arms and a larger frame with him having the typical size you’d want in a cornerback.

One thing I’d highlight from Wright this season was his interception in their game at Clemson earlier this season. That play showed he has a lot of athleticism and ball skills. He’ll be a tough matchup for NC State’s receivers in an early noon kick-off this weekend.