The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1502339
34 ■ THE WOLFPACKER New Faces In The Trenches BY ETHAN MCDOWELL F or the first time in more than half a decade, NC State will field an of- fensive line without center Grant Gibson. The All-ACC performer and team captain isn't the only lineman who has departed, but good health, plus the emergence of some encouraging young talent, has helped coach Dave Doeren's team weather the loss of three starters. The Wolfpack hired Garett Tujague to lead the position group following John Garrison's departure for Ole Miss. Tujague has extensive experience working with offensive coordinator Robert Anae at both Virginia and BYU. Doeren told The Wolfpacker that hiring Tujague helps because he already knows the message Anae is trying to communicate to the team. He compared it to hiring cornerbacks coach Brian Mitchell on defensive coordinator Tony Gibson's staff. They worked together previously as well. "I've been a coordinator," Doeren said. "I understand what that's like to have your right hand in there with you — a guy that you don't have to go to all of the time. He knows what your next steps are going to be." The extensive history between the two assistants helped NC State install the new offense this spring. "Garett Tujague is an expert," Anae said. "And there is history, so the speed of information is fast." Health was another positive this spring. Doeren noted that the linemen were able to put in a ton of reps together, which benefitted potential new start- ers such as redshirt sophomore Lyndon Cooper and graduate Derrick Eason. The Wolfpack must replace Gibson and Chandler Zavala in the starting lineup, along with critical rotation lineman Bryson Speas. Doeren said Dawson Jaramillo could play a significant role in filling those responsibilities. The graduate transfer from Oregon can play any position on the line. OFFENSIVE LINE ■ POSITIONAL GRADES ★★★★ Among country's best; ★★★ Among ACC's best; ★★ Solid or has potential; ★ Too unproven STARTERS ★★ Dylan McMahon spent the offseason focusing on center, a respon- sibility he took over late last season due to Grant Gibson's injury. He should take another step forward after another full offseason of development. Two of McMahon's fellow redshirt juniors — Timothy McKay, who received honorable mention All-ACC honors in 2022, and Anthony Belton — are a solid tackle duo. The biggest question mark is at the guard spots. Redshirt sophomore Lyndon Cooper showed flashes in the spring game, and Derrick Eason will provide experience as the only senior or graduate student in the projected starting lineup. EXPERIENCE ★★ Despite the departure of three experienced linemen, NC State boasts five athletes with substantial starting experience in its rota- tion going into the fall. McMahon is a three-year starter, Eason started the final three games of the 2022 season and the final six in 2021, Dawson Jaramillo appeared in 22 games at Or- egon, and both Belton and McKay played a lot last year. DEPTH ★★ Dave Doeren said he likes the line's overall depth going into the fall. Tackle depth is a question mark, but Eason and Jaramillo can play there if needed. Jacarrius Peak, a former four-star tackle recruit, could also take on a role in the two-deep this fall. OVERALL GRADE ★★ NC State's offensive line room is talented and versatile but does lack experience in some spots. If the unit stays healthy and both Belton and McKay take the expected step forward following a year of development, this could be a solid group. PROJECTED DEPTH CHART STARTERS No. Name Year Ht. Wt. Hometown 74 Anthony Belton R-Jr. 6-6 336 Tallahassee, Fla. 52 Timothy McKay R-Jr. 6-4 312 Raleigh 54 Dylan McMahon R-Jr. 6-4 305 Savannah, Ga. 56 Lyndon Cooper R-So. 6-2 312 Atlanta 53 Derrick Eason Gr. 6-4 315 Norfolk, Va. RESERVES No. Name Year Ht. Wt. Hometown 69 Dawson Jaramillo Gr. 6-5 305 Portland, Ore. 75 Anthony Carter Jr. R-So. 6-3 310 Charlotte 76 Patrick Matan R-So. 6-4 304 Chevy Chase, Md. 66 Matt McCabe R-So. 6-6 302 Cary, N.C. 65 Jacarrius Peak R-Fr. 6-4 285 Valdosta, Ga. WAITING IN THE WINGS No. Name Year Ht. Wt. Hometown 64 Rico Jackson Fr. 6-6 310 Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 70 Obadiah Obasuyi Fr. 6-6 305 Alpharetta, Ga. 55 Rylan Vann R-Fr. 6-1 292 Cary, N.C. 73 Darion Rivers Fr. 6-6 300 Charlotte BY THE NUMBERS 6 Dylan McMahon's career-high for knockdown blocks in a game, which he tied against East Carolina last year. 33 McMahon's career starts in four seasons at NC State. 58 Timothy McKay's total pancake blocks from last season, which led the Wolfpack. SPOTLIGHT PLAYER REDSHIRT JUNIOR ANTHONY BELTON Belton stepped into big shoes last year, taking over the starting left tackle job from Ikem Ekwonu, the Carolina Panthers' first-round pick in the NFL Draft. Going into his second season as a starter, Belton is beginning to take on a leadership role. "When the young guys come in, they kind of look up to me," Belton said in an April press conference. Belton said Ekwonu helped him do the same thing when the lineman trans- ferred in from Georgia Military College. When speaking with the younger members of the Pack, he stresses patience and tells them to take the transi- tion to college "day-by-day." On the field, Belton said offensive line coach Garett Tujague brings a lot of energy to NC State, which is infectious for the whole position group. "He's loud," Belton said. DYLAN MCMAHON PHOTO BY LARRY BLANKENSHIP