The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1153250
SEPTEMBER 2019 ■ 47 1. Quarterback The very first question that head coach Dave Doeren received at the end of the first practice of preseason camp was, paraphrasing, "Any update on the quarterbacks?" Doeren knows it's coming. Redshirt sophomores Matt McKay and Bailey Hockman and redshirt freshman Devin Leary are the primary competitors aiming to re- place Ryan Finley as NC State's signal-caller. All that Doeren would acknowledge is that Hockman, a transfer from Florida State, appears more comfortable than in the spring, but otherwise it remains status quo. Conventional wisdom is that a starter will not be re- vealed until the season opener against East Carolina, but Doeren said that he would not "hide it" from the media and fans. "When I know, I'll tell you I know," the coach noted. 2. Defensive End Fifth-year senior James Smith-Williams is seemingly a lock to start at one defensive end spot. He led all returning players in sacks (six) last season. There is no shortage of candidates for the opposite side. At the first day of preseason camp, physically imposing redshirt freshman Joseph Boletepeli was running with the first line, but others like sixth-year senior Deonte Holden plus redshirt sophomores Ibrahim Kante and Xavier Lyas are sure to get chances to earn the nod. Holden, who spent the spring studying abroad, had 9.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks last season after finally overcoming a foot injury that nearly cost him his career. Kante had 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack. Both Kante and Holden played in every game but combined to start just three times in 2018, while Lyas played in only six contests. But Lyas provided an instant impact when he piled up a pair of sacks against Florida State in his first career appearance, then assisted on another quarterback takedown two games later. 3. Left Tackle If either McKay or Leary wins the starting job, the left tackle will have to protect their blindside (Hockman is a lefty). A pair of fifth-year seniors who took different paths are in the mix to be the starter. Tyrone Riley was recruited as a defensive end coming out of Savan- nah, Ga. He was set to go to Kentucky until he made a switch to NC State a few days before National Signing Day. After playing as a reserve for a couple of seasons, Riley was persuaded to give offensive tackle a try. He started a pair of games last season (Syracuse and East Carolina) and logged a total of 253 offensive snaps in 13 games. Emanuel McGirt Jr. was a heavily recruited and highly touted four-star offensive tackle coming out of nearby Hillside High in Durham, N.C. He was rated in the Rivals250 at No. 196 nationally, and after briefly committing to UNC he picked NC State over Georgia and Virginia Tech. Leg injuries have slowed McGirt and prevented him from reaching his lofty prep status, but he's healthy now and in the mix to start at left tackle. 4. Interior Offensive Line There appears to be two primary options, both of which involve redshirt junior Joe Sculthorpe. The plans, however, offer two different roles for him. One alternative is for Sculthorpe to plug in at left guard for All- American Terronne Prescod, who was a senior last year. The other option is for Sculthorpe to assume the center duties vacated by the Minnesota Vikings' first-round draft pick and consensus All-American Garrett Bradbury. If Sculthorpe is at center, that means that redshirt sophomore Bryson Speas is starting at left guard. If Sculthorpe is at guard, then former defensive tackle Grant Gibson, a redshirt sophomore, is manning center. Junior Joshua Fedd-Jackson appears to have the right guard job locked down after opening 12 of 13 games there last fall. 5. Weakside Linebacker Last year, when first-team All-ACC linebacker Germaine Pratt was injured against UNC, Brock Miller stepped in and performed ably. When Pratt skipped the bowl game to prepare for the NFL, Miller once again started. However, the redshirt junior, who had an interception in the Kay Yow Spring Game in April and finished last year with 22 tackles in 209 defensive snaps, is not guaranteed Pratt's vacated role. Junior Louis Acceus, a former USA Today first-team All-American coming out of high school, has moved over from the middle to weak- side to provide some competition. Acceus had 25 tackles last year in 12 games and performed well in his lone career start against Marshall (nine tackles) when first-stringer Isaiah Moore was injured. He was on the field for 200 defensive snaps a year ago. The wild card is much-hyped former four-star recruit Payton Wilson, who missed last season after having knee surgery. Odds are that the redshirt freshman will be brought along slowly, but his talent may be too hard to keep off the field. All eyes are on the quarterback position, where redshirt sophomore Matt McKay (center) is competing with classmate and Florida State transfer Bailey Hockman (right) and redshirt freshman Devin Leary (left) for the starting job. PHOTOS BY KEN MARTIN Five Position Battles To Watch