Palmer expected to play offense for Pack

Despite needs in the secondary and the outstanding defensive play of Tobias Palmer as a defensive back at Pittsboro Northwood, Northwood coach Bill Hall expects the Wolfpack to use Palmer on offense.

"He is a key who can play anywhere except in the line," Hall said. "But all the talk from the State people has been about using him on offense. They see him as a kick returner, a slot receiver and maybe come tailback."

Palmer was used primarily as an offensive player the past two years at Georgia Military.

"He had a great career there and I expect he's going to have a great career at N.C. State," Hall said.

Northwood had three of its players sign on Wednesday morning.

Terrance Hackney, a 6-foot-4, 320-pound offensive lineman who graduated in 2009, signed with Mississippi. He played last year at Chatham (Va.) Hargrave Military.

Senior runner Shane Pepper, who broke Palmer's single-season school record with 1,700 rushing yards last season, signed with Hargrave Military.

East Carolina had been very involved when Skip Holtz was the coach, but the new staff was not as interested, according to Hall.

"If Hargrave does as much good for Peppers as it did for Hackney, Pepper is going to be a big-time recruit next year," Hall said.

-- Tim Stevens