NC State’s Brandon Cleveland embraces challenge to stop UNC RB Omarion Hampton

During his first two seasons at NC State, junior nose tackle Brandon Cleveland was itching to play as many snaps as possible. He was a reserve behind C.J. Clark, but when the young defensive lineman was able to get into the game, he made his presence felt in a hurry.  Cleveland logged 35 total tackles through his first two campaigns in Raleigh, including 3.5 sacks, but he has taken his play to another level in his first year as a starter for the Wolfpack at nose tackle.  The Tampa, Fla., native has logged a career-best 31 total tackles as he anchors NC State’s three-man front, and he has seemingly taken his game to another level over the past three weeks. Cleveland has logged 16 total tackles in his last three outings, including a career-high six stops in the Pack’s loss at Georgia Tech last Thursday night.  “I thought he really played well last week,” NC State coach Dave Doeren said Monday. “That’s as good as I’ve seen a nose guard play in our defensive scheme. He was very productive, he beat a lot of blocks, he made tackles, he was disruptive, got his hands on a couple balls in the pass game.”