The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/535299
44 ■ THE WOLFPACKER FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2015 "[H-back/fullback] Jaylen Samuels is a unique guy, and we all know that. We'll continue to look for ways to get him the ball. You can't just learn the entire offense in a year, so we gave him what we could. I thought he did a good job with the role, which expanded this spring. He'll continue to learn and go. "At quarterback, I thought Jacoby Bris- sett made some strides on things he needs to improve upon. Jalan McClendon has a huge upside, and it was great to work with him." How do you see the wide receiver group getting sorted out? "I think we have a lot of possible players and a lot of potential, but potential is not the word you want to hear. In this case, it isn't unfair because most of the guys haven't played a lot. "Bra'Lon Cherry was probably as good as anybody and made plays. He started off as a hot guy. "I know we have the talent out there to do it. It's about finding each guy's role and finding our best fit. It's an exciting situa- tion and not at all a problem. "We can play David [Grinnage] and Cole [Cook], and also J-Sam [Samuels]. We have three very good tight ends. We can play Matt [Dayes] and Shadrach [Thornton at running back]. We had Reggie [Gal- laspy] here at running back, and some other guys that are coming, who we think can play. We can play three, four wideouts. We just don't know yet. "We hope to spread things around. If you [a defense] want to take away one guy, we'll throw it to another. I think that will play to our advantage this fall." Samuels has quickly become a fan fa- vorite. How does he have that knack to get first downs? "He is just one of those unique talents. There are times there is no reason he should. People just don't tackle him. If you look at his high school stats, he had a touchdown every couple of touches. He is just that kind of guy. He catches the ball well and is a natural football player. "We'll continue to get the football to him in multiple ways and enjoy his productivity." How good can the offensive backfield be with Brissett, Thornton and Dayes? "Those guys are good players, but two [Thornton, Dayes] are only as good as the guys up front are. We ran the ball effec- tively toward the end of the year. I don't get too hung up on averages, but I get hung up on efficiency. We were efficient. "When we wanted to run the ball, we were getting what we wanted to get. It's a credit to those backs and how they run. It's also credit to the guys up front and our tight ends. "It is also a credit to Jacoby, for keeping us in the right play. We try to do multiple things at times. He has to do the right thing at the right time — he is driving the bus." Any young guys you think can make an impact right away on offense? "I was really pleased with Reggie Gal- laspy and the way he came in here. If you look at the evolution of a player, he was good in practice one and two. Then he hit that stretch where he is learning. "Our deal is we want you to play fast and loose. To do that, you have to know what you are doing. You have to understand inside-out, but everybody's learning curve is a little different." ■ "We are a young team that has some experience, so it's a unique situation. The spring was important for some guys to grow at certain sports." ■ Canada Canada singled out freshman running back Reggie Gallaspy II, who enrolled early and racked up a team-best 131 rushing yards in the spring game, as someone who could make an instant impact. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN