The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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96 ■ THE WOLFPACKER FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 Redshirt freshman offensive tackle Emanuel McGirt had his choice of colleges coming out of Durham (N.C.) Hillside High. He could have gone to Georgia, Virginia Tech or LSU, among others. He spurned SEC powers to play locally at NC State, fueling expectations that he would play quickly for the Wolfpack. McGirt said that he never felt that pressure, though. One reason was the left tackle he is cur- rently trying to replace: All-American Joe Thuney. "I know I had a lot of people wondering, 'What's going on? Why aren't you playing?' But I got to play behind an All-American," McGirt said. "So I tried to learn a lot from Joe. He helped me out a lot." While Thuney was working towards the NFL Draft, ultimately being picked in the third round by the New England Patriots, McGirt was hoping to prove during the spring that he is ready to step in at left tackle. He is up to 300 pounds on his 6-6 frame, but it's his understanding of the game that has blossomed most. A lot of that is learning from Thuney, whom McGirt still trades text messages with. "I can basically play while knowing what I'm doing," he said. "I can make calls, call out defenses, stuff like that. "Last year, I thought I was better than I was. That showed me I had a lot to work on to be where I wanted to be." Thus McGirt redshirted and spent most of his time on the scout team. That meant blocking de- fensive ends Mike Rose and Bradley Chubb. Rose himself earned an undrafted free agent contract with the New York Giants after running sub- 4.7 40-yard dashes at 260 pounds during NCSU's pro day. Combine the knowledge he picked up from Thuney with the experience earned blocking the Pack's talented pass rushers, and McGirt is in a different spot with his confidence. He began to no- tice that during bowl prep practices, and it carried over through the spring. "Coaches believe I can do it," McGirt said. "I believe I can do it. I was on scout team last year, so I have to prove myself. I got to work hard every day. "I have to prove that I can play on this level and every down." McGirt knows that some people felt he had pressure to prove himself last year, but he did not share those thoughts. "Of course it would have been nice to play, but either way I knew I was going to be alright," he noted. "I am happy with where I am at now." NC State head coach Dave Doeren is cer- tain to be asked frequently about the posi- tion, starting with ACC Operation Kickoff in Charlotte July 22. Reporters, though, will have to wait a while until getting his final answer. Doeren and new offensive coordinator/ quarterbacks coach Eli Drinkwitz received a good look at redshirt sophomore Jalan Mc- Clendon and redshirt freshman Jakobi Mey- ers during spring practices, and both played well in the Kay Yow Spring Game. McClendon completed 13 of 18 passes for 120 yards with a touchdown. Meyers was 12-of-20 passing for 117 yards with a score, and also ran 10 times for 40 yards and a touchdown. "I thought both of them made strides," Do- eren said. "The thing I am most interested in now is that they know the system, how fast can they advance? "It's hard to really judge a competition when guys are learning an offense for the first half of [the spring]. You really have to see them play without thinking as much." A new element to the equation was added over the summer in the form of Boise State transfer Ryan Finley. The redshirt junior is eligible to play immediately since he gradu- ated in May. Since Drinkwitz also came from Boise State, Finley is experienced and well-versed in his offense. Finley started the first three games before getting hurt and ultimately giving way to freshman Brett Rypien, who enjoyed a breakout season after replacing Finley. Finley's first two starts were against Wash- ington and BYU, and Boise State nearly won both games with BYU rallying in the final minute to steal a victory. Overall Finley was 46-of-70 passing for 485 yards with a touch- down, but he also had four interceptions. Each quarterback brings a little something different to the table. Finley has invaluable experience and knowledge of the offense. McClendon has prototypical size (6-5, 212 pounds) and NFL-caliber arm strength. Mey- ers is a speedy athlete capable of making plays with both his arm and legs. "In the spring game, I thought both of them did some good things," Doeren said. "We'll get into the summer and see how it goes. Sometime during fall camp, we'll have a good feel for what we are going to do." Whichever quarterback emerges, though, will instantly become the offensive player to watch for the Wolfpack. Offensive Newcomer To Watch EMANUEL MCGIRT JR., OT, R-FR. Offensive Player To Watch QUARTERBACK POSITION Redshirt freshman quarterback Jakobi Mey- ers is a dual-threat signal-caller that will try to win the starting job in the fall. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN McGirt will compete for the starting left tackle job, replacing All-American Joe Thuney. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN