21 | 2023 SOUTHERN FOOTBALL GUIDE
NC STATE
HEAD COACH: Dave Doeren OC: Robert Anae DC: Tony Gibson
Raleigh, NC
2022 RECORD: 8-5 (4-4) FOUNDED: 1887 STADIUM: Carter-Finley Stadium (57,583)
OFFENSE
DEFENSE
Two years ago, the Virginia offense, with coordinator Robert Anae and quarterback Brennan Armstrong, rolled up 516 yards a game as Armstrong threw for 4,449 yards and 31 touchdowns. He threw the ball 45 times a game and ran for 251 yards and nine scores. That tandem will try to recreate that magic in Raleigh this season. The offensive line is solid and could be excellent if players continue to develop. Timothy McKay is All-ACC caliber and Dawson Jaramillo is a quality pickup from Oregon. The unit will certainly be improved enough to increase the average rush of 3.4 yards last season. Running back Jordan Houston returns after averaging four yards a carry last season. The receiving corps is a bit underwhelming, but Armstrong has a way of making ordinary receivers spectacular. Keyon Lesane should benefit the most after grabbing 31 passes for 342 yards a year ago.
Defense has not been a problem since Dave Doeren arrived at NC State. The Wolfpack created 22 turnovers and held opponents to just 32.8 percent on third down. NC State finds replacements for big-time producers every season. Linebacker Payton Wilson (12.5 tackles for loss) will be asked to do some heavy lifting this season, especially early while others develop around him. Jaylon Scott and Devon Betty have been patiently awaiting their time, and they expect to shine flanking Wilson. C.J. Clark is talented enough to control the middle of the line, which would be a huge boost to the defense. Davin Vann had 10 QB Hurries last season. The secondary is a strength of the team, grabbing 19 interceptions last season. Corners Aydan White and Shyheim Battle are both terrific in coverage. Poogie Kennedy is a nice addition from East Carolina.
DEPTH CHART
DEPTH CHART
NO 5 3 4 15 82 6 74 69 54 53 52
PLAYER POS Brennan Armstrong QB Jordan Houston RB Porter Rooks WR Keyon Lesane WR Terrell Timmons Jr. WR Trent Pennix TE Anthony Belton LT Dawson Jaramillo LG Dylan McMahon C Derrick Eason RG Timothy McKay RT
HT 6-2 5-10 6-1 5-11 6-2 6-3 6-6 6-5 6-4 6-4 6-4
WT 212 192 195 195 195 230 336 305 300 315 315
CLASS SR SR JR SR SO SR JR SR JR SR JR
NO 9 5 45 11 26 2 7 3 12 6 8
PLAYER Savion Jackson C.J. Clark Davin Vann Payton Wilson Devon Betty Jaylon Scott Shyheim Battle Aydan White Devan Boykin Jakeen Harris Poogie Kennedy
POS DE NT DE LB LB LB CB CB S S NB
HT 6-2 6-3 6-2 6-4 6-1 6-1 6-2 6-0 5-10 5-10 5-10
WT 280 300 272 242 224 225 195 182 190 197 193
CLASS SR JR JR SR JR SR JR JR JR SR SR
7 2 11 8 80 29 76 56 55 75 62
MJ Morris QB Michael Allen RB Juice Vereen WR Julian Gray WR KC Concepcion WR Christopher Toudle TE Patrick Matan LT Lyndon Cooper LG Rylan Vann C Anthony Carter Jr. RG Jaleel Davis RT
6-2 5-9 6-4 5-11 5-11 6-4 6-4 6-2 6-1 6-3 6-6
210 200 210 195 180 230 304 316 292 315 315
SO SO FR SO FR JR SO SO FR SO SO
97 46 13 33 27 10 14 22 16 0 30
Noah Potter Nick Campbell Travali Price Jordan Poole Jayland Parker Caden Fordham Renté Hinton Teshaun Smith Rakeim Ashford Sean Brown Isaiah Crowell
DE NT DE LB LB LB CB CB S S NB
6-6 6-4 6-4 6-0 6-1 6-1 6-3 6-3 6-1 6-0 5-10
274 290 272 225 215 224 212 185 190 205 182
SR FR SO SO SO SO SO SR SR SO FR
44 98
Brayden Narveson K Caden Noonkester P
210 200
SR SO
8 1
Julian Gray Jalen Coit
195 170
SO SO
SPECIAL TEAMS 6-0 6-6
2023 SCHEDULE S.2 ............................at UConn
O.14 ...........................at Duke
S.9 ......................Notre Dame
O.28 .........................Clemson
S.16 ....................................VMI
N.4 .................................Miami
S.22 ....................... at Virginia
N.11 ............. at Wake Forest
S.29 .........................Louisville
N.18 ............ at Virginia Tech
O.7 ............................ Marshall
N.25 .............North Carolina
SPECIAL TEAMS KR PR
5-11 5-11
NEWCOMERS Brennan Armstrong, QB — The Wolfpack bid adios to Devin Leary and welcomes Armstrong to the Pack. The quarterback will enjoy the uptick in talent quality around him after Virginia’s roster was depleted prior to last season. KC Concepcion, WR — The Wolfpack are in dire need of receivers to step up. After an impressive spring, Concepcion will have early opportunities to prove he is ready this fall. Juice Vereen, WR — Evaluated as a tight end by recruiting services because of his size and strength, Vereen ran with the receivers in the spring and showed he can present matchup problems.
