The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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JULY 2016 ■ 47 FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 BY JACEY ZEMBAL R edshirt sophomore Jalan McClendon has been training the last two years to put himself in position to be the starter. The 6-5, 212-pound McClendon played in seven games last year and soaked up knowledge from two-year starter Jacoby Brissett, who was selected in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. McClendon completed 8 of 14 passes for 69 yards and he rushed five times for 11 yards, but he still remains relatively untested. Due to that last fact, the Wolfpack have redshirt freshman quar- terback Jakobi Meyers and redshirt junior Ryan Finley to push him. Finley, a graduate transfer from Boise State, has two years of eligibil- ity remaining and worked with new NCSU offensive coordinator Eli Drinkwitz for two years with the Broncos. "The reality is that we didn't name a starting quarterback, and we have an open competition," Drinkwitz said. "We have a lot of people who could earn the job. If you come in and earn it, then you earn it. If you have experience, we'll see what happens." McClendon has played in the last two Kay Yow Spring Games, showing off his strong right arm. He was 13-of-18 passing for 120 yards with a touchdown in the 2016 version, and he played for both the Red and White squads in the 2015 game, combining to go 16-of-35 passing for 144 yards. Drinkwitz believes McClendon has the physical tools and alpha male personality to become a good college quarterback. "He has a good feel, of what I can tell so far, of being in the pocket," Drinkwitz said. "The biggest single thing he brings to the table is he has a really good arm, a strong arm. His accuracy improved throughout the spring. His decision-making is on point. "The one question mark is that we still need to see him live and see him play. There is nothing or no greater teacher than experience." Meyers missed time during the fall with injuries, but tried to catch up in the spring. Drinkwitz was able to learn what he does best and is encouraged by his future. The 6-2, 188-pound Meyers connected on 12 of 20 throws for 117 yards with a touchdown, and lived up to his advanced billing for being elusive with his feet. "He throws the ball well, but he has to be consistent with his release to increase his accuracy," Drinkwitz said. "He needs to consistently have a plan and know where the ball goes. The biggest thing with him is to not rely on his scrambling ability all the time. He needs to just use it as an extra resource instead of an only resource." Finley started the first three games of the 2015 season for Boise State, but went down with a season-ending injury early in the third contest against Idaho State Sept. 18. Finley engineered a 16-13 win over Washington in the season opener, but he and the Broncos fell 35- 24 at Brigham Young Sept. 12. The 6-4, 200-pounder completed 46 of 70 throws for 485 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions last year. He also rushed 22 times for 42 yards. As a redshirt freshman in 2014, he was 12-of-27 passing for 161 yards with two scores and one pick. "Ryan brings experience, although he was hurt," Drinkwitz said. "He does bring game experience and valuable game experience while ■ By The Numbers 49 Passing touchdowns in three years at Charlotte (N.C.) West Mecklenburg High for redshirt sophomore quarterback Jalan McClendon. 237 Combined passing yards for redshirt sophomore Jalan McClendon and redshirt freshman Jakobi Meyers in the 2016 Kay Yow Spring Game. Mc- Clendon threw for 120 yards and a touchdown, and Meyers passed for 117 yards and a score (plus rushed for one). 2,043 Combined passing yards and rushing yards for redshirt freshman quarterback Jakobi Meyers during his senior year at Lithonia (Ga.) Arabia Mountain High in 2014. He passed for 1,562 yards and rushed for 481 yards in eight games played. Quarterbacks Roster STARTER No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 2 Jalan McClendon R-So. 6-5 212 Charlotte Redshirted in 2014 before seeing mop-up duty last year. The former Rivals.com three-star prospect saw action in seven games and took 66 snaps under center. RESERVES No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 15 Ryan Finley R-Jr. 6-4 200 Phoenix, Ariz. Verbally committed early to Boise State and head coach Chris Petersen on March 10, 2012, and stayed solid when Peterson left for the Washington job following 2013. Started the first three games for BSU in 2015, and was 46-of-70 passing for 485 yards with one score and four picks before suffering a season-ending ankle injury. 16 Jakobi Meyers R-Fr. 6-2 188 Lithonia, Ga. The Rivals.com two-star prospect originally verbally committed to Kent State in June 2014, before switching to NC State on Jan. 18, 2015. The Wolfpack held off Florida and Wake Forest leading up to National Signing Day. WAITING IN THE WINGS No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 14 Woody Cornwell R-So. 6-2 210 Lake Junaluska, N.C. The walk-on from Tuscola High redshirted in 2014 and didn't play last year. 6 Dylan Parham Fr. 6-4 210 Raleigh The early enrollee was 143-of-294 passing for 2,003 yards with 20 touchdowns and 10 interceptions his senior year at Southeast Raleigh High. Also rushed 73 times for 404 yards and eight scores in 11 games played. 5 Josh Taylor Sr. 5-11 189 New Bern, N.C. The walk-on from New Bern High has rushed six times for 24 yards and has one incom - plete pass while seeing limited action the last three years. ■ Preseason Analysis **** Among country's best; *** Among ACC's best; ** Solid or has potential; * Too unproven Starters ** NC State hasn't named a replacement yet for former quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who went No. 91 overall in the third round of the NFL Draft to the New England Patriots. Redshirt sophomore quarterback Jalan McClendon has been the perceived leader over redshirt freshman Jakobi Meyers, but both players performed well in the 2016 Kay Yow Spring Game. NCSU later added Boise State graduate transfer Ryan Finley, a redshirt junior who worked under new Wolfpack offensive coordinator Eli Drinkwitz at his previous school. Experience * McClendon only played when NC State was leading comfortably, and his best chance for extended playing time came against Syracuse. However, the Orange returned a McClendon fumble 29 yards for a touchdown, and Brissett was summoned back in to finish off the 42-29 victory. Finley actually has the most experience of the quarterbacks. He passed for 646 yards with three touchdowns and five interceptions in eight games over the past two years for the Broncos. He started the first three games last year, and passed for 297 yards and a score (but also threw three interceptions) in a 35-24 loss at Brigham Young Sept. 12. Depth ** If McClendon emerges as the starter, the duo of Finley and Meyers should provide quality depth for NC State. The Wolfpack also ensured that freshman Dylan Parham of Southeast Raleigh High will likely get to redshirt this upcoming season. Finley played against Air Force his freshman year — passing for 161 yards, two touch - downs and an interception in a 28-14 loss — but did guide the Broncos to a 16-13 win over Washington in the season opener last year. Meyers was 12-of-20 passing for 117 yards with a touchdown and showed good mobility in the 2016 Kay Yow Spring Game. Overall grade ** McClendon has long been hailed for his physical skills, due to his cannon of a right arm and ability to make all the throws. He learned whatever he could from Brissett the last two years. Now, it comes to performing when the pressure and the bright lights are on. Finley and Meyers will also do a good job of pushing McClendon and being ready if they end up being called upon.