During every fall camp, college football fans wonder which of their team’s freshmen will play and which will redshirt. When NC State head coach Dave Doeren arrived in 2013, he played most freshman. Of the seven draft picks taken in April’s NFL draft, only one, offensive lineman Will Richardson, redshirted. Doeren changed his tune the last two years.
Only three scholarship freshmen in 2016 and five scholarship freshmen in 2017 played (former linebacker Raven Saunders played as a true freshman in 2017 but was recently dismissed). A lot of factors go into whether or not players play as true freshman, but due to the graduation of nine starters on defense and four starters on offense not coming back next year, more freshman will be pressed into duty for the Pack in 2018.
Another wrinkle in the Wolfpack’s plans is the new NCAA rule that allows players to play in up to four games per year, and still qualify for a redshirt. Let’s take a stab at which players in the incoming freshman class will play and which will redshirt in 2018.
Quarterback Devin Leary
If incumbent graduate Ryan Finley had declared for the NFL draft, this would be a much more interesting decision for Doeren and offensive coordinator Eli Drinkwitz. With Finley entrenched as the starter, Leary will surely redshirt his first year on campus, and could still earn game action due to the new rules. Many have labeled Leary as the quarterback of the future in Raleigh, but don’t count out Raleigh native redshirt freshman Matt McKay in what will be a battle in 2019.
Verdict: redshirt
Running back Ricky Person
Even if former running back Nyheim Hines had returned to NC State for his senior year, Person still likely would have seen action; that’s how talented he is. According to 247 sports, Person is the highest rated running back signed by the Pack since Johnny Frasier in 2015. Person spent the spring recovering from wrist surgery, but should be ready for fall camp and will be in the rotation at running back right away.
Verdict: play
Running back Trent Pennix
Pennix was overlooked in the Pack’s 2018 recruiting class because he had a higher profile high school teammate (Alim McNeill) and wasn’t as highly rated as another player at his position (Person). Pennix’s calling card is his versatility, as he could play many different positions. The running back room is so crowded with senior Reggie Gallaspy, redshirt freshman Nakia Robinson, walk-on redshirt junior Damontay Rhem and Person all vying for playing time, that Pennix will redshirt to help space out the running back scholarships.
Verdict: redshirt
Wide receiver Devin Carter
Carter is another local product that will join the Pack this fall, coming from Clayton High School. The receivers room is loaded with upperclassmen, some of whom are candidates to leave for the NFL after this year. Because of the depth at the position, Carter likely won’t see much time on the field, although he is a prime candidate to get into a couple games to gain experience and retain the redshirt year.
Verdict: redshirt
Wide receiver Jasiah Provillon
Provillon is the second member of the class from New Jersey, continuing NC State’s recent pipeline to the state. Much like Carter, Provillon has a steep uphill climb to see the playing field because of the upperclassmen.
Verdict: redshirt
Tight end Cary Angeline
Angeline is a transfer from Southern California and has three years of eligibility remaining. He redshirted at USC so he’s not eligible to redshirt, but even if he was, he would play immediately anyway. At 6’7”, Angeline gives Finley another huge target in the red zone.
Offensive lineman Jalynn Strickland
Strickland is already one of the biggest players on the team at 6’6”, 317 lbs. The Pack doesn’t have a taller player on the roster and only three who weigh more than Strickland. In addition, he enrolled in January so he has a head start on other incoming offensive lineman. However, offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford has plenty of returning talent, even with the early departure of Richardson.
Verdict: redshirt
Offensive lineman Kahric Belle
Belle flew under the radar in his recruitment, but Doeren and Ledford were thrilled to land him. Only two offensive linemen have played as true freshman under Doeren: now-departed Tony Adams and sophomore Josh Fedd-Jackson. Belle won’t be the third.
Verdict: redshirt
Offensive lineman Gabriel Gonzalez
One of the highest-ranked offensive lineman in North Carolina last year, Gonzalez has a bright future in front of him in Raleigh, but he won’t see the field in 2018.
Verdict: redshirt
