The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/846301
54 ■ THE WOLFPACKER FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2017 OFFENSE Q&A BY JACEY ZEMBAL N C State offensive coordinator Eli Drinkwitz didn't feel he had in- stalled all the components of his desired offense last fall, but he has used the spring to get the players caught up. Establishing a culture of urgency has been key. NC State went 7-6 last year, but returns 22 seniors that have one last chance for a breakthrough season. Drinkwitz is enjoying his second spring with the players and has a veteran group with eight starters back, including the quarterback, tight end, H-back, one wide receiver and four offensive linemen. Drink- witz said it is now about the veteran players learning new wrinkles in the offense. Redshirt junior quarterback Ryan Finley passed for 3,059 yards with 18 touchdowns and eight interceptions last year. Redshirt junior Jalan McClendon is trying to push the incumbent starter after he was used last season in short-yardage situations, tallying 176 passing yards and 145 rushing yards. Senior H-back Jaylen Samuels led the team with 55 catches for 565 yards and seven touchdowns, and junior all-purpose back Nyheim Hines was right behind him with 43 receptions for 525 yards. Redshirt junior Stephen Louis and sopho- more Kelvin Harmon return at wide receiver, and redshirt sophomore Jakobi Meyers has switched to the position full-time after being recruited to play quarterback. Louis caught 35 passes for 678 yard and two touchdowns, while Harmon added 27 receptions for 462 yards and five touchdowns. The offensive line returns four starters, though some shuffling might occur to get the five best players on the field. What was the vibe this past spring offensively? "We know we left a lot of unfinished business out there on the field. … There is great spirit and energy about what we want to accomplish." What were some of the offseason goals? "We want to establish and execute the DNA of our offense, and have better execu- tions of scoring touchdowns in the red zone and our overall offensive unity. Those are our three stated goals and what we've been working for every day." Do you feel you were able to accomplish what you wanted to with the amount of spring practices that you had? "We are a team that needs all the reps it can get. We [had] guys beat up and … they can't go. We aren't in a situation where we can give away that practice. We want to put these guys in as many different situations as we can." What was emphasized to redshirt ju- nior quarterbacks Ryan Finley and Jalan McClendon? "The biggest thing we talked about was better fundamentals in the run game and more consistency when they go outside the pocket with their decision making. We had a couple of turnovers there. "We want them to play with great tough- ness. Those are our goals." Star running back Matthew Dayes rushed for 1,166 yards and 10 touchdowns last year. How will you replace that production? "It is never going to be easy replacing a 1,000-yard rusher and the first one in a long time [since 2002], and a guy who touched the ball over 200 times. There are going to be a lot of different people who will get the opportunity to make plays." Do you see a running back by committee approach? "You have to be careful in saying, 'He can do this and this and this.' You want Last year, the Wolfpack averaged 27.0 points and 416.7 yards per game during Drinkwitz's first season in charge. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN LEARNING NEW WRINKLES Offensive Coordinator Eli Drinkwitz Returns Eight Starters In Year Two At The Helm