John McCargo attended Randolph Henry High School in Drake’s Branch, Virginia where he played football, basketball, and threw shot put and discus on the track and field team. John played fullback and defensive tackle on the football team. As a senior he totaled 60 tackles, 6 sacks, and 4 forced fumbles on defense. On offense he rushed for 648 yards on 98 carries, scoring 6 touchdowns. He also served as the team’s place kicker when needed, converting 4 of 6 extra point attempts on the year. He was named first team all-state for his performance as a senior. John accepted a scholarship to N.C. State. He received the “most dependable defensive lineman” award following spring drills. He sat out the 2002 season as a redshirt. In the spring of 2003, McCargo won the “most dependable defensive lineman” award for the second consecutive season. He earned a starting job at defensive tackle and finished the season with 52 tackles and 3 sacks, on his way to being named honorable mention all-ACC. He started 10 games as a sophomore, finishing with 47 tackles on the year. As a junior, John totaled 24 tackles and ˝ sack, despite missing five games with a broken foot. He was an academic all-ACC performer for his accomplishments in the classroom. John McCargo has another year of eligibility due to his redshirt season in 2002; however he has opted to skip his senior season to enter the 2006 NFL draft.

John McCargo has a good deal of experience, having started at defensive tackle for the Wolfpack since his redshirt freshman season. He has average size and good strength for a defensive tackle. He has a quick first step, allowing him to beat most offensive linemen off the snap of the ball. He will take on double-teams, freeing up his teammates to make plays. He is a technically sound player who uses leverage to his advantage and sheds blocks well. He does a good job of penetrating the line of scrimmage and he makes a lot of plays in the backfield. He is a very good run defender but he doesn’t offer much as a pass rusher and he won’t get many sacks. He is inconsistent at times, looking great one week and average the next. He also needs to be stronger at the point of attack. He had a broken foot this past season which caused him to miss five games. Some also question whether he was a product of the players around him, with first round prospects Manny Lawson and Mario Williams as his defensive ends. John McCargo would’ve benefited from another year at N.C. State but he has a chance to be a first day pick in the 2006 NFL draft.