The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1523120
TRACKING THE PACK 18 ■ THE WOLFPACKER 28th NC State's place in ESPN's Football Power Index ratings, a system that "tracks each team's strength relative to an average FBS squad." The Wolfpack stands fifth among ACC teams, trailing Florida State (11th), Clemson (15th), Louisville (21st) and Miami (23rd). At least one ESPN writer took issue with that placement. "With the additions of transfer quarterback Grayson McCall, tight end Justin Joly, running back Jordan Waters, receiver Noah Rogers and offensive lineman Zeke Correll, the offense is as loaded with talent as it has ever been in [Dave] Doeren's 11-year tenure," David Hale noted. "Tony Gibson's defenses are always excellent, and the schedule sets up nicely for the Pack." NUMBERS AND QUOTES Sponsored by Colony Tire & Service www.colonytire.com PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE ATHLETICS PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN PHOTO BY JED GAMMON Is this the year they put it all together? If you match [QB Grayson] McCall with that defense, it might be. They've never had the breakout, conference-title season in their [recent] his- tory. This is a good chance." — Anonymous opposing ACC assistant coach, assessing NC State in Athlon Sports' 2024 football preview 64th Senior cornerback Aydan White's rank in On3's listing of the top 100 players in college football for 2024. 6th Sophomore KEVIN "KC" CON- CEPCION'S spot in Lindy's list of the nation's top wide receivers heading into the 2024 season. Concepcion, who led all FBS freshmen with 71 catches and 10 touchdowns last season, is one of two NC State play - ers listed by the preseason magazine as being among the best at their respective positions. The other is senior Grayson McCall, dubbed the No. 13 quarterback in the country by Lindy's following his transfer from Coastal Carolina. 10 Strikeouts by redshirt senior pitcher LOGAN WHITAKER in NC State's season-ending 5-4 loss to Florida at the Men's College World Series. Making the final appearance of his career, the right-hander from Winston-Salem, N.C., allowed just 2 hits and 1 run in seven innings of relief after entering the game in the top of the third. The 10 strikeouts were a career-high for Whitaker, who has been an inspi - rational player for the Pack after battling through injuries and illness. "If a person doesn't quit on themselves, then there's going to be somebody out there that's not going to quit on you," coach Elliott Avent said. "That's what Logan represents." I don't feel different about this game and the players today than I did when I got into it 43 years ago. This is what I do, and I love it." — NC State baseball coach ELLIOTT AVENT, during a press conference in which he told reporters he "has no thoughts" of retiring 14 Runners caught stealing by NC State junior catcher Jacob Cozart during the 2024 season. One of three finalists for the Buster Posey Award, which goes to nation's top col- legiate catcher, Cozart tied for the ACC lead in that category.