The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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60 ■ THE WOLFPACKER FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2015 Brissett started three games and played in 13 during his two years at Florida. He went 41-of-74 pass- ing for 455 yards with three touch- downs and four interceptions, and rushed 20 times for three yards and three scores. Brissett elected to transfer to NC State over West Virginia, due in part to his pre-existing relation- ship with head coach Dave Do- eren, who had recruited him while the defensive coordinator for the Badgers. "He came in as a highly touted recruit and transfers. He hadn't re- ally played a lot of football," Can- ada said. "He had to sit for a year and just practice. "In his first game [24-23 win over Georgia Southern], that first half, we were a little slow to go. Then we had a heck of a second half. We then came back and won it." Keeping Brissett healthy last fall allowed the Wolfpack to redshirt 6-5, 212-pound freshman quarterback Jalan McClendon. The redshirt year should pay big dividends for NC State down the road. "It was a blessing for Jalan and a blessing for our program," Canada said. "NC State football will benefit from that. Everybody is better their fifth year than their first year. "That isn't always what you do, and certain guys are ready to play. We play the best players. If that had occurred, we would have done what we had to do." Freshman quarterback Jakobi Meyers of Lithonia (Ga.) Arabia Mountain originally committed to Kent State before switching to NC State. The 6-2, 181-pounder should be in line to redshirt this season. Walk-on quarterbacks Josh Taylor, a junior, and Woody Cornwell, a redshirt freshman, round out the competition for the third-string spot. ■ Year-By-Year Passing Stats Year Yards TD INT 2014 2,652 24 6 2013 2,890 14 15 2012 4,031 31 17 2011 3,120 32 12 2010 3,655 28 14 2009 3,275 32 13 2008 2,678 20 14 2007 2,948 14 23 2006 2,188 10 16 2005 2,282 14 14 "Out of his five interceptions, two were decision-based on him, and that's pretty good." ■ Offensive coordinator Matt Canada on Brissett Getting To Know: Jalan McClendon NC State redshirt freshman quarterback Jalan McClendon has gone in one year from having everyone involved with Wolfpack football hoping he wouldn't play, which occurred during his redshirt season, to now being groomed to be the eventual starter. "I went to games last year as a fan, and it was pretty exciting and had more people there than I thought," McClendon said. "It is like a real game now, and that is my ap - proach to it." The 6-5, 212-pounder has been receiving praise ever since committing to NC State on May 16, 2013, over offers from Tennes- see, Florida State, Miami, North Carolina, Virginia and Wake Forest. "My approach this spring was to just be better than I was last year," McClendon said. "I know [former backup quarterback] Garrett [Leatham] has left. I'm just coming in, stepping up and taking my role. "I didn't want to redshirt, and if they had wanted me to play last year, I would have. I see it is very important now, because I have more years of football left and I can get my degree." McClendon said the game has started to slow down some, and he's soaking in what he can from offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Matt Canada, who is emphasizing the importance of making correct reads and ball protection. "I'm just trying to get ready for this season," McClendon said. "Those first couple of games [last year], I could have gone in if Jacoby had gone down, but it didn't happen. This year, I'm just taking the same mindset of being the starter every game." The opportunity for McClendon to watch the approach of fifth-year senior quar - terback Jacoby Brissett will pay off down the road for the Wolfpack. "I try to hang out with him and learn from him," McClendon said. "I'll go in before meetings start and talk to him about how he reads things in the game." The former Rivals.com three-star prospect was the No. 18 overall pro-style quar- terback in the country in the class of 2014. He threw for around 1,700 yards and 17 touchdowns, and tossed seven interceptions for Charlotte (N.C.) West Mecklenburg High as a senior. McClendon has earned raves for his strong throwing arm and ability to make any kind of pass. "I can throw the ball 70-75 yards," McClendon said. "At one practice I was just playing around and threw it 50 yards from my knees. I had never thrown on my knees before." McClendon predicts the NC State receivers will be fast enough to handle his deep balls, but joked it is debatable on whether they can out-run his throws. While McClendon is mostly known for his throwing ability, he says he will surprise some individuals in one area of his game. "I can scramble a little bit," he said. "It is just a little bit though." McClendon has also worked in some late night film sessions to improve his quar- terbacking knowledge. "I try to watch film when I get home after homework," said McClendon, who en- joys following Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton. "Cam is my guy. I also like Andrew Luck [of the Indianapolis Colts]. I also will watch some Russell Wilson films, both here at NC State and with the Seattle Seahawks. I like him too." — Jacey Zembal McClendon completed 16 of 35 passes for 144 yards in the spring game April 11. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN ■ Preseason Analysis **** Among country's best; *** Among ACC's best; ** Solid or has potential; * Too unproven Starters *** Jacoby Brissett showed what he could do given a chance and proved to be a calming influence. There were a few games where he tried to force the action too much, but he settled into a playmaking role and was a threat both passing the ball and running it. The Florida transfer should be able to build off his first year starting, but also has to help break in some new receivers. His ability to share the wealth to backs, tight ends and receivers fits in well with the offense. Experience *** NCSU offensive coordinator Matt Canada is quick to point out that prior to last year, Brissett had only played sparingly in 13 games at Florida (he did have three starts). He has gone through three springs at NC State and should have a thorough knowledge of the offense, and his teammates have responded well to his leadership. Brissett has seen the highs and lows of college football, and can respond accordingly. Redshirt freshman quarterback Jalan McClendon was able to redshirt thanks to Brissett's durability, and he'll likely get a few series in non-conference action to help prepare him if he's needed. Depth ** McClendon was a crucial signee for the Wolfpack out of West Mecklenburg High in Charlotte. Rivals.com ranked him No. 18 in the country among pro-style quarterbacks in the class of 2014, and he ended his prep career in style at the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas. The 6-5, 212-pounder put his redshirt year to good use and will be ready if called upon. Junior walk-on Josh Taylor and freshman Jakobi Meyers will battle for third string, though the guess is the Wolfpack coaches would prefer to redshirt Meyers. Overall grade *** Brissett had the weight of the program on his shoulders, and he handled it well. His touchdown-to-interception ratio of 23-to-5 was impressive, and he didn't have a lot of "near picks" either, which is a credit to his decision-making under pressure. Brissett threw for more than 200 yards in seven games and rushed for more than 50 yards in three contests. He seemed equally at ease whether throwing the football 30-plus times in a game, or when he rushed for 167 yards and a score on 14 carries against North Carolina. Having McClendon behind Brissett eases the pressure on the latter, but it's still crucial to keep the 6-4, 235-pound Brissett healthy. Brissett should challenge for All-ACC hon - ors and will have a great chance to get selected in next May's NFL Draft.