RALEIGH – College basketball is now in the rearview mirror and we can all now blissfully enjoy baseball and beautiful spring weather, right? Wrong.
It’s already football season – as if it ever truly stops – and the NC State football Spring Game is this Saturday. No seriously, that’s a thing that’s happening already.
Look, we get it, you’ve been a bit preoccupied with March Madness, MLB’s Opening Day or the Masters. That’s why we’re here. Here’s a look at five things to watch in the NC State Kay Yow Spring Game.
1. QB Battle Still Raging On
The departure of Jacoby Brissett after 2015 left a void at the most crucial position for any football program – quarterback. Luckily for NC State fans, Dave Doeren recruited heavily at the position to hold a true competition this offseason.
Redshirt sophomore Jalan McClendon is expected to take over the role, but has to prove himself on Saturday. The Charlotte native isn’t worried about taking the reins moving forward.
“I just want to go out there and show what I can do,” said McClendon. “The coaches trust me, and that is all that I really need. … I believe in myself more than anybody else does. I believe the team believes that I can be the quarterback.”
Along with McClendon, Jakobi Meyers and Josh Taylor will also look to put pressure on Doeren to earn the starting role.
2. Offensive Line Still a Work in Progress
Let’s be honest, the offensive line was somewhat of a work in progress throughout all of last season. This year, the team is without standout Joe Thuney and has been riddled with injuries throughout camp.
New offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford isn’t concerned with the early issues in camp.
“It has been like this every year wherever I have been. Last year at one point we had six offensive linemen, before that it was seven or eight,” Ledford said. “You get used to it and you make it happen. That is the whole thing about spring, it is developing what you want your unit to identify with.”
Players who have stepped up in the roles early on are Tyler Jones and Garrett Bradbury, according to Ledford. Expect both to get significant minutes during the Spring Game.
3. First Look at Frasier
Similar to Dennis Smith for the basketball team, NC State fans can’t wait to see what Johnny Frasier looks like on the gridiron. On Saturday, Wolfpack fans will get their first glimpse.
Frasier was hampered earlier in spring practice by a concussion, but told North State Journal last week that he will be on the field Saturday. So what did he gain from having a year off as a redshirt freshman?
“Confidence in myself,” Frasier said. “Knowing that I can play with high-level athletes. Now I feel like I can compete with anyone in the world. Hopefully during the season I can show everybody.”
Look for Frasier to show off his power-running ability on Saturday with fellow running backs Matt Dayes and Reggie Gallaspy not expected to play.
4. Leaders Emerging on Defense
There has been some shuffling at key positions defensively for NC State with Mike Rose, Hakim Jones and Juston Burris all graduating. With players like Bradley Chubb, Jerod Fernandez, Jack Tocho and Kentavius Street still around, the defense appears to be in good hands.
Street has served in mostly a backup role with only 31 tackles and a half sack last year. The former 5-Star defensive tackle expects to step up for the team this year.
“It’s good now because I know the defense like the back of my hand,” Street said. “Now I’m just trying to play as fast as possible.”
The junior made no bones about who will lead the way for NC State this season.
“With the seniors [last year], we kind of took a backseat,” Street said. “We let them take the lead because they had already been through everything. Now we’re taking the helm and doing things our way.”
5. Offensive Game Plan Taking Shape
Eli Drinkwitz comes into the NC State system with a lot of offensive weapons, but a scheme that several players are still adapting to in the spring.
The backfield is loaded with Frasier and Nyheim Hines expected to play on Saturday along with Gallaspy and Dayes set to rejoin the team before the fall. Then there’s the receiver options in Jaylen Samuels, Jumichael Ramos and converted tight end Pharoah McKever.
Running a no-huddle spread system similar to what Drinkwitz coached at Boise State was exciting for Hines during the offseason.
“I looked at the film and I was like, ‘Well, this is the offense I wanted to run out of high school,” Hines said. “A year later, I got my dream come true.”
Saturday’s version will still be very much a work in progress, but offensive players raved all spring about how great the system will be for the team. Now it’s time for Drinkwitz to sell the fanbase on the concept.
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