The new format for the Kay Yow Spring Game allowed a different look at how the NC State football team operates as it prepares for the fall. Here is a breakdown of the offense at the conclusion of spring action.
Quarterbacks
The starting quarterback job appears to once again be redshirt junior Ryan Finley’s to lose heading into next season. Finley saw all of the first-team reps and finished the day 11 of 18 for 92 yards. Since it was the spring game, he pushed the ball deep more often than he usually would, but he will likely continue to play to his strengths in the fall as a consistent intermediate passer.
Meanwhile, redshirt junior Jalan McClendon saw the majority of second team work, finishing 5 of 11 for 27 yards and adding three carries for 28 yards on the ground. While it is highly unlikely McClendon will supplant Finley as the starter, his athleticism will allow the team to use him in situational packages when it needs a change of pace like it did last season.
Redshirt junior Woody Cornwell was the only quarterback with a touchdown pass, scoring on a 20-yard strike to redshirt sophomore wide receiver Maurice Trowell. Cornwell will likely head into the fall as the third-string quarterback, allowing freshman Matt McKay to potentially redshirt.
Running Backs
With Johnny Frasier no longer on the team and redshirt senior Dakwa Nichols and junior Reggie Gallaspy II sitting out of the game due to injury, junior Nyheim Hines got the start after switching back from wide receiver. Although Hines didn’t play much, logging five carries for 21 yards, he is very comfortable at the position, as he was a four-star recruit at running back in 2014. While he is listed at running back and will likely spend more time at the position this coming season, he is still likely to move around the formation like senior Jaylen Samuels.
“The coaches do a great job of making sure me and [Jaylen Samuels] know every offensive position on the field so we can move throughout the games,” Hines said.
While he didn’t play in the Spring Game, Gallaspy is likely to enter the fall as the starter as he finished second on the team in rushing last season with 241 yards and two touchdowns on 49 carries as the spell for Matt Dayes. Still, Nichols and Hines will push for playing time and possibly form a three-headed monster out of the backfield to keep opposing defenses on their toes.
Wide Receivers
While this group loses Bra’Lon Cherry, it regains the No. 1 wideout from 2015 in redshirt senior Jumichael Ramos, who sat out last season due to injury. Redshirt junior Stephen Louis also returns as last year’s leading receiver with 678 yards and two touchdowns on 35 catches. These two could prove to be a formidable duo out wide, as Louis brings playmaking explosiveness and Ramos is a reliable possession receiver.
However, another player to watch is sophomore Kelvin Harmon. Harmon is arguably the most explosive player at the position with above average speed and spectacular catching ability. He showcased this in the spring game going up for a 46-yard touchdown pass on a trick play in traffic and later making an off-balance diving grab on another deep pass. While Louis and Ramos are both solid options, Harmon’s talent is hard to pass up. That being said, he will not only push for more playing time, but possibly a starting spot as well.
Hines was the primary slot receiver last year and implied that he will still likely see time there next season despite moving back to running back. However, redshirt sophomore Jakobi Meyers saw the majority of first-team reps in the slot in the spring game less than a year removed from switching from quarterback and gives the team another playmaking option at the position.
Tight Ends
A team’s most dynamic offensive player isn’t usually a tight end, but Samuels makes a strong case for the feat with Hines being his top competition for that title. Samuels can play all across the formation, keeping the defenders on their heels, and has led the team in receptions in each of the last two seasons.
The Pack has other reliable options in senior Cole Cook, who was a team captain last season, redshirt senior Pharoah McKever and sophomore Thaddeus Moss. These players add to a plethora of targets for Finley to utilize in what will likely be a pass-heavier offense with Dayes no longer on the team.
Offensive Line
Senior Tony Adams headlines a stellar group that is in much better position than it was this time a year ago. Following the 2015 season, State lost three of its starters on the line, most notably third-round pick and left tackle/guard Joe Thuney. This season, center Joe Scelfo was the only starter it lost.
“Our O-Line, you know, last year we had four new starters,” head coach Dave Doeren said. “This year there’s four returners. You can see the way those guys play together.”
While the team will miss Scelfo, redshirt junior Garrett Bradbury, who started at left guard last year, slid over to center for the Spring Game, potentially allowing Adams to stay at right guard. Redshirt junior Tyler Jones will reprise his role at left tackle, as will redshirt junior Will Richardson at right tackle. Redshirt junior Terronne Prescod started at left guard in the spring game, but also saw time at right tackle last season.
We will break down the defensive positions in Thursday’s issue of Technician.
