The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1523120
32 ■ THE WOLFPACKER ❱ ❱ ❱ OFFENSIVE LINE BY NOAH FLEISCHMAN N C State will have a new face at center this fall, but other- wise, the Wolfpack was able to keep its offensive line intact moving into the 2024 campaign. The return of that core group should play an important role in NC State's fortunes on of- fense this fall. The Pack only lost Dylan McMahon, a sixth-round NFL Draft selection by the Philadelphia Eagles in April. The other four starters from a year ago — graduate left tackle Anthony Belton, graduate right guard Timothy McKay, redshirt junior left guard Anthony Carter Jr. and redshirt sophomore right tackle Jacarrius Peak — are back. For NC State offensive coordinator Robert Anae, that continuity has a big impact on his unit's ability to execute. "The quality of your offense starts with how well your quarterback and offensive line work," Anae said. "If those two groups are clipping at a high pace all day, your of- fensive numbers will reflect that. I do anticipate that both of those positions in Year 2 of me being here will be much improved. I look for the overall efficiency and productivity of the offense to take a step forward." With McMahon heading to the pros, the Wolfpack ventured into the trans- fer portal to find his replacement. It emerged with Notre Dame center Zeke Correll, who will spend his fi- nal season of college football in Raleigh. Correll, an experienced veteran, plugged that hole with ease and has already become a leader within the position group, along with McKay. NC State coach Dave Doeren said he expects the Pack's cohesion on the of- fensive line to pay dividends in the fall. "When you know what the guy next to you is going to do, you have trust because you've done it with him in games," Doeren said. "There's a big jump there. It allows you to progress differently than if you're breaking in a bunch of new players. We have an advantage because of the experience we have there on the offensive line." BY THE NUMBERS 4 Number of positions Dawson Jaramillo has played on the offensive line in his collegiate career (left tackle, left guard, right guard and right tackle). 32 Number of pancake blocks by Jacarrius Peak over the last five games of the 2023 season. 2,009 Zeke Correll's career snaps played in five seasons at Notre Dame. He also started 31 of 40 career games played for the Irish. ■ POSITIONAL GRADES ★★★★ Among country's best; ★★★ Among ACC's best; ★★ Solid or has potential; ★ Too unproven STARTERS ★★★ ½ It's a positive sign whenever a team returns the bulk of a starting unit, and that's especially true on the offensive line. The Wolfpack have an experienced group that has played together for at least one season. Zeke Correll is the exception, but he's a veteran and will be able to slide right in at center. EXPERIENCE ★★★ ½ A unit that has four players entering at least their fourth year of college football? Yeah, that'll do. The Pack has a veteran offensive line, paced by graduate students Anthony Belton, Timothy McKay and Correll. Even Jacarrius Peak, the youngest of the bunch, played 510 snaps a year ago as a redshirt freshman. He impressed dur- ing that time and will be able to build off that this fall. DEPTH ★★★ The Pack has competitive depth, beginning with Dawson Jaramillo, an Oregon transfer who saw action in 22 games with the Ducks and can play nearly every position. NC State has a lot of young players who have developed in their time in Raleigh and are eager to make their presence known. OVERALL ★★★ ½ NC State's offensive line should be a key asset this fall, allowing quarterback Gray- son McCall and the skill players to make plays downfield. The Pack has a talented and versatile group up front, and the starters' experience will be crucial. SPOTLIGHT PLAYER GRADUATE CENTER ZEKE CORRELL Correll brings a wealth of experience to the NC State offensive line with 32 career starts during his five seasons at Notre Dame. Going into the fall, offensive coordinator Robert Anae said Correll's leadership will give the offense a lift. "He comes as a bona fide two-year starter," Anae said. "He's not just been start- ing and has all of that under his belt, he's been able to connect with his team- mates here. It has been a huge plus for the program." EXPERIENCED GROUP UP FRONT PHOTO BY LARRY BLANKENSHIP JACARRIUS PEAK PROJECTED DEPTH CHART STARTERS No. Name Year Ht. Wt. Hometown 74 Anthony Belton Gr. 6-6 336 Tallahassee, Fla. 52 Timothy McKay Gr. 6-4 312 Raleigh 56 Zeke Correll Gr. 6-3 307 Cincinnati 75 Anthony Carter Jr. R-Jr. 6-3 305 Charlotte 65 Jacarrius Peak R-So. 6-4 285 Valdosta, Ga. BACKUPS No. Name Year Ht. Wt. Hometown 64 Rico Jackson R-Fr. 6-6 323 Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 69 Dawson Jaramillo Gr. 6-5 305 Portland, Ore. 55 Rylan Vann R-So. 6-1 285 Cary, N.C. 66 Matt McCabe R-Jr. 6-6 302 Cary, N.C. 79 Kamen Smith R-Fr. 6-5 316 Wilkesboro, N.C. WAITING IN THE WINGS No. Name Year Ht. Wt. Hometown 54 Val Erickson R-So. 6-5 324 Chicago 50 Robby Martin Fr. 6-3 302 Huntington, W.Va. 72 Sean Hill Gr. 6-3 320 Snellville, Ga. 60 Trent Mitchell Fr. 6-5 290 Gastonia, N.C.