The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1389905
30 ■ THE WOLFPACKER QUARTERBACKS Talented, But Inexperienced BY JUSTIN H. WILLIAMS O ver the past two decades, NC State has earned the reputation of "QB U." (Quarterback University), producing future NFL talents such as Philip Rivers and Russell Wilson, among others. Entering offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Tim Beck's second season in the program, the Wolfpack seems to have filled up its pipeline for the next generation of talent under center. Redshirt sophomore Devin Leary will be the starter after rehab- bing back from the broken leg suffered against Duke last October. The 6-1, 212-pounder has eight career starts, including three in 2020 in which he displayed the arm talent and awareness to be among the ACC's top signal-callers. Next in line is freshman Ben Finley, the younger brother of for- mer Pack quarterback and current Houston Texan Ryan Finley. He appeared in the UNC game for a handful of drives the week after Leary's injury and flashed his dual-threat potential. A complete, in- person offseason this summer should help prepare the second-year signal-caller for his back-up role. SPOTLIGHT PLAYER REDSHIRT SOPHOMORE DEVIN LEARY Although the sample size was small, redshirt sopho- more Devin Leary displayed much improvement during his four games played (three starts) in 2020 from his seven outings (five starts) in 2019. His completion percentage improved from 48.1 to 60. He also threw for the same number of touchdowns as his redshirt freshman sea - son, and tossed three fewer interceptions. In his first start of 2020, Leary produced one of the best performances by an NC State quarterback in the last decade. In a 30-29 road win over then-ranked Pittsburgh, he completed 63.6 percent of his passes for a career-high 336 yards and four touchdowns, including a 13-yarder to senior receiver Emeka Emezie with 23 seconds remaining that ended up being the game winner. Now entering year two as the team's starter under second-year offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Tim Beck, Leary should have better chemistry with his weapons and benefit from an enhanced understanding of the offense with an entire offseason in person as opposed to the virtual learning during last summer due to the COVID-19 pandemic. PROJECTED DEPTH CHART STARTER No. Name Year Ht. Wt. Hometown 13 Devin Leary R-So. 6-1 212 Sicklerville, N.J. RESERVES 10 Ben Finley Fr. 6-3 201 Phoenix 16 Aaron McLaughlin Fr. 6-5 230 Cumming, Ga. ■ POSITIONAL GRADES ★★★★ Among country's best; ★★★ Among ACC's best; ★★ Solid or has potential; ★ Too unproven STARTER ★★½ Redshirt sophomore Devin Leary was the anticipated starter last year before a prolonged quarantine in August. Then, a season-end- ing injury in October limited him to three starts in four appearances. When he was on the field, Leary was effective. The New Jersey native completed 60 percent of his passes for 890 yards, eight touchdowns and two interceptions. He has flashed the potential to be one of the better quarterbacks in the ACC, but his limited sample size still presents questions about how he will per- form over the entirety of a season. DEPTH ★★ Back-up Ben Finley possesses talent, but the hope is he won't be called upon. In his lone appearance last season, he completed 65 percent of his passes for 143 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Behind Finley is true freshman Aaron McLaughlin, an early enrollee from the 2021 class. McLaughlin could be a future starter, but he'll be in the process of learning the offense and should expect limited reps this fall. The 6-5, 230-pounder was rated the nation's No. 53 overall recruit by ESPN. EXPERIENCE ★½ Leary is the only player in the quarterback room to earn a college start and appear in multiple contests. Finley appeared in one game for a handful of drives, and McLaughlin is a true freshman just months removed from high school football. As much talent as this group possesses, it also lacks experience. OVERALL ★★½ For the second straight season, NC State's quarterback situation has improved from the previous year. The first objective this offseason was to get Leary back on the field, which has already been accomplished. Ultimately, he will determine how much production NC State is able to get from the most important position on the field. After him, there is a pair of talented but inexperienced freshman that would be challenged if either had to be thrown into the fire of ACC play. BY THE NUMBERS 5 Wolfpack players threw a pass in 2020: quarterbacks Devin Leary, Bailey Hockman (who has since transferred) and Ben Finley, plus trick plays from receiver Thayer Thomas and running back Ricky Person Jr. 17th Was the average national ranking among pro-style quarterbacks of each of NC State's three scholarship signal-callers in their respective recruiting classes according to Rivals. Leary, a four-star, was ranked ninth in 2018. 79.2 Was Leary's Pro Football Focus passing grade last season, which ranked 28th nationally among QBs with at least 100 dropbacks. He finished 17th among Power Five conference signal-callers and fifth in the ACC. PHOTO BY ETHAN HYMAN, THE NEWS & OBSERVER