The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1497827
That, along with a 62-yard touchdown pass that largely consisted of sophomore receiver Terrell Timmons Jr. sprinting past the defense, led Morris to finish with the gaudiest numbers. He compiled 10 completions in 12 attempts for 151 yards and the scrimmage's lone passing touch- down. Finley completed 2 of 8 attempts for 12 yards while playing entirely with the reserves. Following spring practices, he announced his intent to transfer. Tough Conditions For Passing Game The last drive for Morris notwithstand- ing, passing the football was not easy. The wet conditions caused by playing in con- stant light-to-steady rain on a chilly Sat- urday surely had a role in the struggles, and perhaps so did the absence of Dylan McMahon, a fifth-year redshirt junior and the team's projected starting center. But the spring game did little to answer questions about an aerial attack that was inconsistent in 2022, with NC State fin- ishing 74th in the FBS in passing yards per game (226.1). There were two pick-sixes thrown, one by Armstrong and another by Finley. Armstrong also had a second interception and a couple of close calls. The receivers left plays on the field, too. Third-year sophomore Anthony Smith dropped a sure touchdown from Arm- strong on a reverse flea flicker in which no one was within 30 yards of him. NC State freshman running back Ken- drick Raphael had a noticeable drop on a well-developed pass out of the backfield that seemed destined to be an explosive play. Young Linebackers Impress With super senior Payton Wilson sit- ting out the spring game, and former NC State stars Isaiah Moore and Drake Thomas focusing on NFL Draft prepa- rations, the stage was set for the young, inexperienced linebackers to shine. Joining super senior Jaylon Scott and fourth-year junior Devon Betty with the Red Team first string was redshirt soph- omore Caden Fordham, who may have been the most noticeably active defender on the unit. (Final defensive stats were not available.) However, the player whose name may have been called most often was Jordan Poole, who shined during the portion of the afternoon he spent going up against the starters as a member of the White Team. The athletic redshirt sophomore received a bump up to the Red Team in the second half. Also making a few plays at linebacker was early enrollee Kamal Bonner. Intriguing Early Enrollees There is clearly some excitement among the coaches for a few of the early enrollees in the 2023 class. Concecpion and tight end/receiver Javonte "Juice" Vereen have put themselves in the mix to get looks on offense. Concepcion had two nice runs after the catch. Raphael may face a more challeng- ing time due to a crowded running back room. Ball security was also an issue for Raphael in the scrimmage. Like Smith, he dropped a potential big pass, and he also fumbled. However, Raphael showed good vision and offered some hope for the future while running behind the reserve linemen. Bonner and cornerback Brandon Cisse made strong enough impressions in the spring to get reps with the Red Team on defense. Also clear is that the older newcom- ers on defense — sophomore cornerback Rente Hinton, redshirt junior defensive lineman Jykeveous "Red" Hibbler, gradu- ate nickel Robert Kennedy and graduate defensive lineman Noah Potter — will fig- ure into the mix. Kennedy, in particular, displayed nice coverage when challenged a few times. Key Players Sat Out It's noteworthy that a number of im- portant players did not see action in the spring game, including two potential starters on the defensive line, a first- team All-ACC cornerback, at least one expected starter on the offensive line, an experienced starting safety candidate and Wilson. The list of those who sat out the spring game: — Redshirt freshman defensive tackle Nick Campbell — Fifth-year redshirt junior defensive tackle C.J. Clark — Fourth-year redshirt sophomore re- ceiver Joshua Crabtree — Redshirt sophomore offensive tackle Jaleel Davis — Super senior offensive guard Derrick Eason — Redshirt sophomore cornerback Nate Evans — Super senior safety Jakeen Harris — Redshirt freshman defensive tackle DJ Jackson — Super senior defensive end Savion Jackson — Fifth-year redshirt junior center/ guard Dylan McMahon — Super senior long snapper Joe Shimko — Super senior cornerback Teshaun Smith — Freshman quarterback Lex Thomas — Fourth-year redshirt sophomore tight end Ezemdi Udoh — Fourth-year junior cornerback Aydan White ■ Ben Finley Headlines NC State's Portal Losses Four days after the NC State spring game, fourth- year redshirt sophomore quarterback Ben Finley announced he was leaving as a grad transfer. In eight career appearances, including two starts, Finley completed 83 of 152 passes for 912 yards and 4 touchdowns with 5 interceptions. He led the Pack to a win over North Carolina in the 2022 regular-season finale and also started in the Duke's Mayo Bowl against Maryland. Redshirt sophomore reserve offensive lineman Thornton Gentry also entered the transfer portal af - ter the spring game. He played three snaps in 2022, all versus Charleston Southern. One of Gentry's classmates, defensive lineman Zyun Reeves, additionally went into the portal. He played 12 snaps against Charleston Southern and nine versus UConn last fall and had a solo tackle. Chase Hattley, a redshirt sophomore linebacker/ safety, is also looking to move on from NC State. Hattley did not see game action last season. — Matt Carter 2023 Football Schedule Sept. 2 at Connecticut TBA Sept. 9 NOTRE DAME TBA Sept. 16 VMI TBA Sept. 22 at Virginia TBA Sept. 29 LOUISVILLE TBA Oct. 7 MARSHALL TBA Oct. 14 at Duke TBA Oct. 28 CLEMSON TBA Nov. 4 MIAMI TBA Nov. 11 at Wake Forest TBA Nov. 18 at Virginia Tech TBA Nov. 25 NORTH CAROLINA TBA MAY/JUNE 2023 ■ 33