Quinton Coples is on the move.
Various media outlets, including ESPN New York and CBS.com, reported on Wednesday the former Kinston and UNC standout and current New York Jets lineman will move from defensive end to outside linebacker in 2013.
The move comes days after the Jets used their 13th overall pick in last month’s draft on former Missouri defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson.
Dennis Waszak Jr., a sports writer for the Associated Press who covers the Jets, tweeted on Wednesday, “At (hash)Jets open locker room, Quinton Coples confirms he’ll play OLB this season. Looks forward to having more opportunities to get to QB(.)”
Coples, the 16th overall pick in 2012, led the team his rookie season with 5 1/2 sacks despite appearing in just over half its snaps (516 of 1,019).
HATCHER LEADS PCL IN SAVES: Former Kinston and UNC-Wilmington standout Chris Hatcher picked up his Pacific Coast League-leading ninth save on Tuesday for the Triple-A New Orleans Zephyrs in a 2-1 win over the Omaha Storm Chasers.
Hatcher, who’s had two stints with the parent Miami Marlins, had a 2.70 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 13 games entering Thursday’s game.
CAPPS UP TO 2 WINS FOR MARINERS: Former North Lenoir and Mount Olive College standout Carter Capps picked up his second major league win of the season and of his career for the Seattle Mariners on Sunday in a 2-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels.
Capps, who on April 18 became the first Kinston native to win a major league game since George Suggs did it in 1915, did it again 10 days later. The right-hander gave up one hit and struck out three in two scoreless innings.
Capps (2-1), who gave up one run on three hits in 1 2/3 innings against Baltimore on Wednesday, has a 4.73 ERA and 18 strikeouts on the season.
STACKHOUSE, NETS IN NBA PLAYOFFS: Former Kinston, UNC and NBA veteran Jerry Stackhouse is still going strong. He is averaging 4.9 points in 8.57 minutes per game for the Brooklyn Nets in his 17th NBA season.
The Nets trailed the Chicago Bulls 3-2 in the best-of-seven NBA quarterfinals going into Thursday’s Game 6.
The 38-year-old has said he plans to retire at season’s end.
