The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1266731
16 ■ THE WOLFPACKER TRACKING THE PACK BY THE NUMBERS THEY SAID IT Sponsored by Colony Tire & Service www.colonytire.com "He just has something to him you can't coach — just intangibles, great tenacity. That's what I like about him. NC State has a rich quarterback his- tory that we know, especially of late, and this guy could be next in line. "When you're watching the tape, the team was getting its [butt] kicked, he was getting his [butt] kicked, and he just kept getting up and competing. There's something to be said for that. "I called some people that have worked with him over the years to gain some insight and clarity into who he was and what he's all about, and they all said the same things. "The kid is a worker bee. He's a servant leader. He's a grinder and a fiery competitor. … He did some amazing things in year one despite the circumstances and his surrounding environment. I can't wait to see what he does in year two." — Former Clemson All-American quarterback Tajh Boyd on redshirt soph- omore quarterback Devin Leary (via his 'Tape With Tajh' series on Twitter) "They're very physical on the line, and that's the identity here." — An anonymous opposing coach, sizing up the Wolfpack in Athlon NC STATE AND ITS OPPONENTS IN 1-130 NATIONAL RANKINGS Opponent Lindy's Athlon CBS Sports* ESPN FPI* Average at Clemson 2 1 2 1 1.5 at North Carolina 20 18 44 29 27.8 at Louisville 30 30 42 20 30.5 Florida State 35 35 56 26 38.0 Wake Forest 60 45 45 65 53.8 Mississippi State 47 48 67 72 58.5 Duke 69 66 77 60 68.0 Boston College 92 68 65 54 69.8 at Syracuse 65 67 79 88 74.8 NC State 75 57 104 77 78.3 Liberty 93 110 81 111 98.8 at Troy 99 111 94 95 99.8 Note: Delaware, as a Football Championship Subdivision school, was not included in the above rankings. * As of July 1 3 Highest offensive grades per Pro Football Focus (PFF) last year for NC State were recorded by offensive linemen — No. 1 Ikem Ekwonu (80.5), No. 2 Joshua Fedd-Jackson (78.0) and NO. 3 JOE SCULTHORPE (72.0). Fedd-Jackson is the only one of the top 11 offensive players who logged at least 100 snaps that does not return in 2020. PHOTO BY GREGG FORWERCK FOR NC STATE ATHLETICS 80.5 Was IKEM EKWONU'S offensive grade last year from PFF, which tied for 31st nationally among offensive tackles and ranked first among rookies at his position (minimum 600 snaps). The next-best true freshman that played at least 600 snaps at tackle had an overall mark of 68.0. Even if second-year players are included, Ekwonu would've ranked eighth nationally us- ing the same parameters. The big man shined particu- larly in run blocking, where he posted an 85.0, which ranked 12th nation- ally among offensive tackles that logged at least 600 plays. H e w a s a l s o n o t charged for allowing a sack in 369 pass- blocking snaps. 4TH Was where the NC State offen- sive line ranked among the league's units according to Athlon. A pair of others (run- ning backs and linebackers) ranked fifth, while the rest checked in at eighth (wide receivers/tight ends) or worse. 2 Wolfpack alums made PFF's countdown of the top NFL players of the decade from 2010-19. Quarterback Philip Rivers checked in at No. 64 (eighth among quarterbacks), while fellow signal-caller Russell Wilson was listed at No. 33 (sixth). Wilson also made the outlet's ranking of the top 50 players entering the 2020 season, checking in at No. 7 (second among quarterbacks, one spot ahead of reigning MVP Lamar Jackson). PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN