The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1266731
JULY/AUGUST 2020 ■ 17 TRACKING THE PACK Athlon Sports Predicted Record: 6-6 (3-5 ACC) Predicted ACC Atlantic Division Finish: 5th Projected Bowl: Gasparilla vs. Tulane Preseason Honors: No Wolfpackers were named to the first-team preseason All-ACC squad … Offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu was included on the second team, along with punt returner Thayer Thomas and punter Trenton Gill, while another trio made the third team — offensive lineman Joe Sculthorpe, defensive lineman Alim McNeill and kicker Christopher Dunn. Quotable: "There's young talent in the program, but the years NC State expects to be back at a high level are the 2021 and '22 seasons, when its best recruiting classes will be juniors and seniors. This team, which has some of the same deficiencies as last year's group, needs [redshirt sophomore Devin] Leary (or another QB) to make a big jump under [first-year offensive coordinator Tim] Beck and for the defense to get a grip on [coordinator Tony] Gibson's scheme." Lindy's Sports Predicted ACC Atlantic Division Finish: 6th (Lindy's did not make record or bowl projections) Preseason Honors: Gill made the first-team preseason All-ACC squad, but nobody else made the first or second unit … Wideout Thayer Thomas was named to the third team as an all-pur- pose player … The outlet also dubbed Gill the No. 4 punter in the country heading into 2020. Quotable: "The Wolfpack could be salty on defense if the returning players are up to form, especially at linebacker. There's an impressive group of receivers, but their effectiveness might hinge on quarterback play. Most members of the OL have a season of experi- ence playing together. RB depth looks to be a plus." Street & Smith's Predicted ACC Atlantic Division Finish: 6th (no record prediction) Projected Bowl: None Preseason Honors: Gill was the lone preseason All-ACC pick, and he was also named a second-team preseason All-American. Quotable: "If NC State is to shake off its first losing season since 2013, it isn't going to be easy. The Wolf- pack struggled mightily during a year in which much of the Atlantic Division's non-Clemson precincts were vulnerable. … All but one of its losses came by 14 points or more, so the record wasn't a byproduct of a few lousy bounces. … More than anything coach Dave Doeren's team has to hope 2019 was more so a function of growing pains rather than a longer-lasting downturn in fortunes." What Preseason Magazines Are Saying About NC State Football In 2020 INTERNET OUTLETS MAKE BOWL PREDICTIONS 247Sports.com — Sun Bowl vs. UCLA SportingNews.com — Belk Bowl vs. Michigan State CollegeFootballNews.com — Sun Bowl vs. UCLA Redshirt junior wide receiver Thayer Thomas was included on the preseason All- ACC squads done by Athlon (second-team punt returner) and Lindy's (third-team all- purpose player). PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN