Wolfpack looks poised for a breakthrough

Aug 14, 2017 - 4:18 PM North Carolina State has been mostly flying under the radar going into the season, but there are reasons to tab the Wolfpack as having Top 25 potential.

Those reasons mostly come because of a well-tested defense, led by defensive end Bradley Chubb and a defensive front that is bound to receive accolades.

The offense is seasoned, as well, with key playmakers such as Ryan Finley, who is in his second season as the starting quarterback after transferring from Boise State.

"I feel the sky is the limit on everything we do," Chubb said.

So it's a matter of keeping things in perspective for N.C. State, which competes in the stout Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Almost all preseason predictions place the Wolfpack behind Florida State, Clemson and Louisville.

"We don't worry about the outside," junior running back Reggie Gillaspy said. "Put our heads down and work hard."

The Wolfpack is coming off a 7-6 season, winning three of its final four games. Earlier, narrow losses to Clemson (24-17 in overtime) and Florida State (24-20) showed the team's potential.

N.C. State will have a chance to make some early waves, opening the season against South Carolina in a neutral-site game Sept. 2 in Charlotte, N.C.

Finley, a redshirt junior, proved to be efficient in directing the offense in his first season. He has tools to use, most notably H-back Jaylen Samuels and speedy running back Nyheim Hines, who had played at receiver and also is a key returner on special teams.

"We're worried about getting better every day," Finley said, noting that going against an experienced defense in practice should help the offense's growth. "Our whole team is closer than ever."

On defense, Chubb is bound to receive extra attention, so that could benefit the teammates around him on the front. Plus, senior linebackers Airius Moore and Jerod Fernandez each have 30 career starts.

With so many players having already established themselves, the Wolfpack hasn't had a lot of competition at some positions.

"There are still some places that we've talked about that are in competition and that could go for a while," fifth-year coach Dave Doeren said. "Last year, there were so many open positions. We don't have a lot of competitions we're dealing with right now. Just trying to develop some depth."

Doeren's record with N.C. State is 25-26 in four seasons, so this figures to be a crucial year, particularly with the amount of returning players.

MOST IMPORTANT PLAYER: H-back Jaylen Samuels -- Yes, defensive end Bradley Chubb is the team's headliner, but the offense really needs Samuels. He can line up in a variety of roles, often making it difficult for defenses to keep track of his whereabouts. He's coming off an MVP performance in the Independence Bowl, when he caught three touchdown passes against Vanderbilt. He enters the season with 126 career receptions (including a streak of at least one catch in 28 consecutive games), already ranking seventh in school history in receptions. He also has racked up 700 career rushing yards.

BREAKOUT STAR: S Shawn Boone -- He goes into his senior season as the most experienced of the defensive backs, and he is embracing his new leadership role in the secondary. He'll be shifting among the safety spots depending on the defensive packages, and there's no doubt he wants to take advantage of opportunities that might come for defensive backs because of the expected pressure applied by the defensive front.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH: K Carson Wise -- He arrived from Division II Carson-Newman as a graduate transfer with two seasons remaining. Given the Wolfpack's kicking woes the past two seasons, Wise could be a critical upgrade at the position. He has range up to 55 yards, but consistency will be something that could be most important. "He has definitely started with the 1s (first team), and hasn't given it back," coach Dave Doeren said during preseason camp.

--RB Reggie Gallaspy, a candidate to be the starting tailback after two seasons as the backup, has shed some weight in an effort to be sleeker. He's checking in at about 223 pounds and figures to be shiftier with the ball.

--OL Garrett Bradbury, a redshirt junior who started every 2016 game as a guard, is moving to center.

--WR JuMichael Ramos has made plays during the preseason as he attempts to come back after missing the 2016 season with a knee injury. "We don't want to rush him," coach Dave Doeren said.

--K Kyle Bambard, who was the starting kicker as a freshman in 2015 and for more than half of the games last year, is pegged to continue to handle kickoffs.

--TE Dylan Parham, a redshirt freshman, has switched from quarterback to tight end. The tight end position has been identified as an area of need by the coaching staff.