As the countdown to NC State football dwindles down, there is an air of excitement surrounding what should be a very dangerous and potent Wolfpack offense.
With the defense replacing a good chunk of its starters, NC State will look to rely on an experienced and talented offensive unit that is one of the best the Pack has had in a long time. Here is a breakdown of NC State with the ball:
Quarterbacks
There’s no question whatsoever who will be leading the Pack on the offensive side of the ball, as graduate quarterback Ryan Finley will take the reins for the third season in a row. Finley really broke out for NC State last season, throwing 17 touchdowns compared to just six interceptions while averaging over 270 yards per game.
Finley is the newest member of a long line of great quarterbacks to come through Raleigh, and while winning games will be on the forefront, this season will also be about Finley cementing his name in the NC State record books and boosting his already high NFL draft stock.
Finley ranks fifth in school history in total offense, passing yards, completions and passing attempts, and his rank will only improve this season. As for the NFL draft, Finley is a consensus first rounder and arguably the best of a fairly strong quarterback class. CBS Sports has Finley as the top QB, and 10th-best overall prospect.
While Finley is the rock for NC State, there is some question as to who would be the first guy off the bench in a blowout or if something were to happen to Finley. Three-star redshirt freshman Matthew McKay and four-star freshman Devin Leary are the two options, with neither having a clear advantage as of now.
Running Backs
Replacing Nyheim Hines will be one of the toughest tasks for the Pack offense this season, as the 1,000-yard rusher from last season is now with the Indianapolis Colts. Senior Reggie Gallaspy, Jr. has been named the Wolfpack’s starter, and has by far the most experience of the Pack’s group in the backfield.
Gallaspy carried the ball 116 times for 506 yards (4.4 per attempt) and seven touchdowns last season. Gallaspy is a solid back, but it is still a question whether or not he has what it takes to be the feature guy for the Pack. He won’t be alone in the backfield though, as NC State has a trio of highly-touted freshmen who should also get plenty of carries.
Four-star freshman Ricky Person, Jr. and three-star freshman Tyler Baker-Williams are listed as the backups for Gallaspy, and three-star freshman Trent Pennix could also see snaps. All three are speed guys with exciting futures, and should help play a role in a backup-by-committee approach.
Wide Receivers
This is the Pack’s strongest position group on either side of the ball, as NC State boasts one of the strongest wide receiver units in the country. It’s a three-headed monster for the Pack, as graduate Steph Louis, redshirt junior Jakobi Meyers and junior Kelvin Harmon all return after breakout seasons.
Harmon turned himself into a superstar last season, hauling in 69 catches for over 1,000 yards to become NC State’s first 1,000-yard receiver since 2003. He was named second team All-ACC, and looks to be poised for an even stronger season that could see him solidify himself as a first-round NFL draft pick.
Behind Harmon are Louis and Meyers, both being incredibly talented and dangerous as well. Meyers, a converted quarterback, led the Wolfpack with five receiving touchdowns last year and also had over 700 yards. Louis, who earned the coveted No. 1 jersey from head coach Dave Doeren over the offseason, will also be a top target for Finley after racking up more than 500 yards last year.
Redshirt sophomore C.J. Riley and sophomore Emeka Emezie will be the first two guys off the bench for the Wolfpack, and add some talented depth that should prove useful down the stretch. The strong group of receivers should ease the difficulty of replacing all-purpose back Jaylen Samuels, who left NC State as its all-time leader in receptions and as one of the most prolific scorers in program history.
Tight Ends
It will be a new look for the Pack at tight end this season, with Cole Cook having graduated. Cook was used primarily as a blocker, and early in the season the new tight ends should adopt the same role. Redshirt freshman Damien Darden was named the starter for the Pack’s opener, with redshirt sophomores Dylan Parham and Dylan Autenrieth listed as the backups.
The starting role will likely shift to USC transfer Cary Angeline after the third game of the season, with Angeline being forced to sit for the first three games due to transfer rules. The 6-foot-7-inch Angeline could become a useful target for Finley once he is able to suit up for the Pack.
Offensive Line
Despite losing two starters to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Tony Adams and Will Richardson, the Wolfpack will roll out one of the most experienced and strongest offensive lines in the ACC this season. The Pack big men combine for 76 career starts, and the unit will be anchored by graduate center Garrett Bradbury, who has started each of the last two seasons.
The other two returning starters are redshirt senior left tackle Tyler Jones and redshirt senior left guard Terronne Prescod, while the right side will feature sophomore guard Josh Fedd-Jackson and redshirt sophomore tackle Justin Witt, both new to the starting lineup.
There is experience and depth on the Pack O-line, and it should be a strength for the Wolfpack yet again. Bradbury and Finley spent all last season together, and their chemistry should only improve. With some turnover in the running game, an experienced line in the trenches will be a valuable asset for NC State.
