The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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52 ■ THE WOLFPACKER FOOTBALL 2014 said. "It is a position that is high demand and high expectations. There are certainly some out there, but you can embrace them or run from them. If you run from them, you shouldn't play quarterback. "I think Jacoby will be fine with them [expectations], but there are some high ones out there." Redshirt junior Garrett Leatham and sophomore Josh Taylor, both walk-ons, and prized freshman quarterback Jalan McClen- don of Charlotte (N.C.) West Mecklenburg, will be battling to backup Brissett. ■ Getting To Know: Garrett Leatham Redshirt junior quarterback Garrett Leatham racked up some ridiculous statistics at nearby Apex (N.C.) Middle Creek High, but turned down some smaller schools to walk on at NC State. The pull of attending NC State was strong after growing up 20 minutes from Carter-Finley Stadium and attending Wolfpack games growing up. "I had scholarship offers to Southern Utah and Sacramento, and I didn't want to go that far for a little school," Leatham said. "I felt I could play big Division I football, and I came here to prove myself. It seems like it is starting to pay off a little bit." Leatham passed for 9,498 yards and 76 touchdowns over his last three years of high school. Middle Creek's wide-open offensive style did a good job of preparing Leatham for college. "It was a lot harder offense with [former offensive coordinator] Coach [Dana] Bible's offense because he ran the pro-style," Leatham said. "Just as I got adjusted to that, the coaching staff left. I was excited for that spring, but then the new coaching staff came in and I had to learn a new offense. It was easier to learn the new one because it was similar to my high school offense." Leatham got to see action in three games last year and went 9-of-17 passing for 146 yards with one touchdown, which came against Boston College. "It was fun last year and I was able to go in against Syracuse, and started off at our own 20-yard line and went to the Syracuse 12, but couldn't punch it in," Leatham said. Ironically, Leatham's parents moved to Iowa while he was in college, so they ended up missing out on some of his appearances. "They didn't even see it [the Syracuse game] on TV because it wasn't on TV there," Leatham said. "I got a bunch of texts saying: 'We listened to it on the radio.' "Obviously, the Boston College touchdown, it just worked out." Leatham will compete to be the backup quarterback behind Florida transfer Jacoby Brissett, a redshirt junior. Leatham was able to log a lot of time on second string last year due to injuries suffered by quarterbacks Brandon Mitchell and Pete Thomas. Mitchell exhausted his eligibility after being a graduate transfer from Arkansas, while Thomas is on to his third college after graduating from NCSU last May and then transferring to Louisiana-Monroe. NC State had just three quarterbacks in the spring and will have four in the fall. "It is different now [with fewer quarterbacks], and when I first got here, we had five or six," Leatham said. Leatham has kicked around the idea of being a football coach one day. He'll be able to give back what he's learned over the years to freshman quarterback Jalan McClendon of Charlotte. "He'll be able to come in and learn from watching us, and we'll lead by example," Leatham said. "If he has any questions, we'll answer them." Leatham will graduate in accounting this year, and he wants to earn his master's in accounting. Yet, the pull of coaching is strong. "I don't know if I really like accounting," Leatham said. "I guess I might be an ac - countant and it is a pretty distinguished degree. I could go get a good paying job. "When I retire, I want to be a high school coach for sure. I have always loved football and I can't see myself being away from it." — Jacey Zembal ■ Preseason Analysis **** Among country's best; *** Among ACC's best; ** Solid or has potential; * Too unproven Starter ** Florida transfer Jacoby Brissett is expected to emerge as one of the ACC's best signal- callers, but until he takes his first snap in an NC State uniform it's hard to know exactly what the Pack will get out of him. Brissett has earned praise throughout the last year for his intangibles, leadership and ability to throw the football. All eyes will be on him for the season opener against Georgia Southern Aug. 30. The expectations are he'll more than live up to the preseason hype and the Rivals.com four-star rating he received coming out of West Palm Beach (Fla.) Dwyer High. Experience ** Brissett started three games and played in 13 at Florida from 2011-12, and he also participated in the last two spring practices with NC State. He completed 14 of 22 passes for 154 yards in the Gators' 23-0 win over Jacksonville State Nov. 17, 2012. During his freshman year, he was 8-of-14 passing for 94 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions in a 41-11 loss at LSU Oct. 8, 2011. The hope is that he will be well prepared for what he'll see this season in the ACC. Depth * NC State believes it has landed its quarterback of the future in Charlotte (N.C.) West Mecklenburg High product Jalan McClendon, whom Rivals.com ranked No. 18 in the country among pro-style quarterbacks in the class of 2014. Other options include redshirt junior Garrett Leatham and sophomore Josh Taylor, who are both walk-ons. Leatham played in three games last season and completed 9 of 17 throws for 146 yards with a touchdown. Overall grade ** NC State's season will likely hinge on how fast Brissett shakes off the rust and be - comes the playmaker the coaches expect him to be. Brissett has all the tools, but will need help from the players around him. As offensive coordinator Matt Canada likes to point out, the quarterback either gets too much praise after wins or too much blame after losses. Even so, Brissett will be crucial in repairing NCSU's psyche after last year's 3-9 season that included going 0-8 in the ACC. "He is a highly motivated guy who wants to do well. We are excited to see him play for us this fall and what he can bring to our offense." ■ Offensive coordinator Matt Canada on Brissett Leatham racked up 9,498 yards and 76 touchdowns through the air over his final three seasons at Apex (N.C.) Middle Creek High. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN 50-52.QBs.indd 52 6/27/14 11:52 AM