The NC State Wolfpack football team opens its 2016 season on Thursday night with a match-up against FCS powerhouse William and Mary. The game might look like a sure win on paper, but the Tribe have a high-powered offense that could keep the game interesting. With the Wolfpack’s depth chart being recently released, here’s who has the advantage at each position.
Quarterback
The Wolfpack hasn’t officially announced who will start this Thursday night, but both redshirt junior Ryan Finley and redshirt sophomore Jalan McClendon will play in the match-up. With Finley, the Wolfpack has experience and knowledge of the system that offensive coordinator Eli Drinkwitz runs. McClendon is more athletic and has more potential. This debate might last longer than week one.
There’s no quarterback debate for the Tribe, as senior Steve Cluley will be running the show. Cluley was an All-CAA third team selection last season, throwing for 2,768 yards and 16 touchdowns. He has started 25 games over the last two seasons for the Tribe and is the leader of their offense.
Advantage: William and Mary
Running Back
Wolfpack senior Matt Dayes is one of the best running backs in all of the country and has a realistic chance of being the Wolfpack’s first 1,000-yard rusher in 14 years. Redshirt junior Dakwa Nichols, sophomore Reggie Gallaspy and redshirt freshman Johnny Frasier will also likely get carries in the game.
The Tribe has a serious talent in the backfield that will test the Wolfpack front seven in senior team captain and preseason All-America candidate Kendell Anderson. Anderson had 1,418 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns to pace the Tribe. He was named a FCS Offensive Player of the Year candidate and earned First Team All-CAA honors.
Advantage: NC State
Wide Receivers
The Wolfpack is unsettled at the wide receiver position with senior Bra’Lon Cherry and freshman Kelvin Harmon expected to do the heavy lifting.
The Tribe’s wide receiver, kick returner and punt returner DeVonte Dedmon had 51 catches for 588 yards with eight touchdowns last season and should give the Wolfpack corners fits.
Advantage: William and Mary
Defensive Line
The defensive line is the most dangerous position group on NC State’s roster, led by junior defensive end Bradley Chubb. This group should be around the quarterback all night long.
Senior defensive end Peyton Gryder should give the Wolfpack offensive line issues off the edge. Gryder led the Tribe in sacks (five) and tackles for loss last season (10).
Advantage: NC State
Linebackers
The Wolfpack wins this category based on experience, as it has starters returning in juniors Airius Moore and Jerod Fernandez. Senior nickel linebacker/corner Dravious Wright also returns and should provide leadership and experience.
The Tribe lost four-time all-conference linebacker Luke Rhodes to graduation, and must replace two starters. The Tribe will need senior linebacker Marcus Harvey, who has been limited to 15 games over the last two seasons with injury, to stay healthy and step up.
Advantage: NC State
Secondary
The Wolfpack will be led by graduate student cornerback Jack Tocho and returns cornerback Mike Stevens and junior safeties Josh Jones and Shawn Boone to its secondary. The secondary struggled with giving up big plays last season and whether it can adjust will be a major factor in how the Wolfpack’s season goes.
The Tribe secondary was dealt a devastating loss with graduations of safeties DeAndre Houston–Carson and Jared Velasquez. The Tribe does return senior captain Trey Reed and junior Aaron Swinton at corner. The duo is talented but undersized, as Swinton is the taller of the two at five feet nine inches. Swinton also will be seeing his first live game action in a year, as he missed almost the entire season with a back injury sustained in the Tribe’s opener last year against Lafayette.
Advantage: NC State
Special Teams
The other position battle on State’s roster, it is still unknown whether transfer Connor Haskins or sophomore Kyle Bambard will be NC State’s starting kicker. Bambard struggled last season, hitting just 50 percent of his field goal attempts. Haskins was 38-50 in his UNC-Pembroke career. The Wolfpack also has sophomore punter A.J. Cole, who was terrific last season.
Tribe junior placekicker Nick Dorka Jr. converted 21 of 25 field goal attempts last season, and was five of six from beyond 40-yards. Senior punter Hunter Windmuller averaged 43.8 yards per punt last season and both Dorka and Windmuller were named first-team All-CAA.
Advantage: Slight advantage to NC State
NC State has the advantage at running back, offensive line, tight end, defensive line, linebacker, secondary and on special teams. However, William and Mary’s advantage at quarterback and wide receiver could keep things close.
