The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1113082
40 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BY JACEY ZEMBAL N C State head coach Dave Do- eren is no stranger to a quarter- back competition. His last one was in 2016 with returning reserve Jalan McClendon battling Boise State graduate transfer Ryan Finley. By the end of the first half of the first game of the season, it be- came clear that Finley was the man for the job. He went on to be a three-year starter. Of the four scholarship quarterbacks this season, only one has played in a college contest — Raleigh native Matthew McKay. The rising redshirt sophomore appeared in six games last fall, completed 7 of 8 passes for 87 yards, and rushed 13 times for 36 yards and a touchdown. Florida State transfer Bailey Hockman is the lone lefty of the four and has already been a part of an intense quarterback battle himself. Last summer, the redshirt soph- omore competed against FSU's Deondre Francois and James Blackman, with Fran- cois winning the job. Redshirt freshman Devin Leary and freshman Ty Evans have similar back- grounds. Both were touted recruits who made the Elite 11 camp for the top quarter- backs in the country. Leary was a Gatorade Player of the Year in New Jersey, and Evans carried that honor in Colorado. However, Evans is considered a long shot to compete for the starting job after taking less spring reps than the other three. McKay is friends with his peers, but he said the quarterbacks understand the situ- ation. "We all know when we step in between the lines, it is competition," McKay said. "It is every man for himself to go out and compete and get that spot. "I'm not anxious at all. I'm excited be- cause at the end of the day I'm playing foot- ball with all my friends and teammates." Doeren is confident that not only will he find a quality starter out of the group, but also capable backups. He also admitted the public likely won't know the winner of the competition until Aug. 31, when NC State QB COMPETITION Three Players Are Battling For The Starting Job Redshirt sophomore Matthew McKay appeared to hold a slight edge for the starting job after throwing for 182 yards and accounting for two touch- downs (one passing and one rushing) while playing with the first-team offense in the Kay Yow Spring Game. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN