N.C. State football fans thought they would see redshirt junior Pete Thomas or graduate student Brandon Mitchell at the quarterback position this season. It is not likely that they expected to see a freshman take any snaps at all.
Through the first two games of the season, freshman quarterback Bryant Shirreffs has seen significant action. Head coach Dave Doeren used a two-quarterback system in Mitchell’s injury-related absence, making Thomas the primary quarterback and using Shirreffs mainly as a runner.
Shirreffs, who stands 6 feet 3 inches and weighs 220 pounds, started at quarterback for three years at Jefferson High School in Jefferson, Ga. In his senior year, he put his dual threat skills on full display, throwing for 2,369 yards and 18 touchdowns as well as running for 1,327 yards with 20 touchdowns. He was named the Georgia 2A Player of the Year and led his team to the state title with a 15-1 record. A star in the classroom as well as on the field, he graduated with a 3.8 GPA and drew interest from Ivy League schools.
When he visited State and found out who was going to be taking over for former head coach Tom O’Brien, he was sold.
“I had a great feeling when I came to campus,” Shirreffs said. “I loved the facilities. And when I heard Coach Doeren was coming here, that was even better.”
Shirreffs was not listed on the depth chart for the season opener against Louisiana Tech. But injuries have forced him into action.
“I’ve played a variety of positions since I came to State,” Shirreffs said. “It’s kind of a week-by-week thing. I’m a quarterback now, but I didn’t know where I’d play at the start of the season.”
Just because Shirreffs has been primarily used in the wildcat formation doesn’t mean he’s forgotten how to throw the ball. The freshman has State’s only touchdown pass this young season—a 29-yarder to fellow freshman Matt Dayes last week against Richmond. He has completed all three passes he has thrown this season for 19 yards. On the ground, he has 13 rushing attempts for 71 yards, including a 28-yard touchdown.
Shirreffs said that the team is close, but he especially enjoys how much of a family atmosphere has emerged among the freshman class.
“We spent the summer in the dorms by ourselves,” Shirreffs said. “We drove to practices together, worked out together.”
Like many college athletes, Shirreffs points to his father, a former player at Virginia, as his main influence to play football.
“He was always encouraging me more than anyone else,” Shirreffs said. “He was always willing to go out there and play catch with me.”
Given that Shirreffs grew up in the shadows of the University of Georgia, which has one of the nation’s finest football programs, one might think he would be a Bulldogs fan. However, Shirreffs described himself as just a fan of football in general.
“I used to eat Pop Tarts and watch College Gameday every Saturday morning,” Shirreffs said. “I’ve always rooted for the underdog.”
It seems appropriate that the Wolfpack will be playing that role on Thursday night against Clemson. The Tigers are a 13-point favorite. But regardless of how the game plays out, expect to see Shirreffs out on the field.
