North Carolina State Wolfpack
Overall Rank: #30
#4 Atlantic Coast Conference
North Carolina State Team Page
2010 Record: (9-4, 5-3)
2010 Bowl: Champs Sports Bowl vs. West Virginia (W 23-7)
Coach: Tom O’Brien (25-25 at North Carolina State, 100-70 overall)
Offensive Coordinator: Dana Bible
Defensive Coordinator: Mike Archer
Returning Leaders:
Rushing: Mustafa Greene, RB, 584 yards
Passing: Mike Glennon, QB, 78 yards
Receiving: George Bryan, TE, 369 yards
Tackles: Audie Cole, LB, 97
Sacks: J.R. Sweezy, DT, 6
Interceptions: Brandon Bishop, S, 4
Other Key Returnees: G Zach Allen, CB David Amerson, WR T.J. Graham, LB Terrell Manning, OT R.J. Mattes, DE Jeff Rieskamp, C Camden Wentz, CB C.J. Wilson, S Earl Wolff
Key Losses: QB Russell Wilson, WR Jarvis Williams, WR Owen Spencer, LB Nate Irving, DE Michael Lemon, DT Natanu Mageo, DE David Akinniyi
Quarterback Russell Wilson was the best passer in the ACC last season, throwing for 3,563 yards and 28 touchdowns as he led North Carolina State to nine wins, the program’s most since 2002. And then Head Coach Tom O’Brien released him from his scholarship and watched as Wilson took his considerable skills to Wisconsin. While Wolfpack fans might be fuming at Coach O’Brien’s decision, he is confident that his team has the pieces in place to remain a contender in the conference.
Strengths:
The offensive line was a disappointment during a 2010 season in which it gave up a conference-high 39 sacks and failed to consistently maul opposing defenses in the ground game. Still, with four starters returning, the unit should show more cohesion – and with it, more production – this fall. Added experience comes in the form of All-ACC tight end George Bryan. A Mackey Award finalist, he is the team’s most seasoned pass catcher and should improve on last year’s 35 catches and three touchdowns. The Wolfpack do not boast many big names on defense, but there are several quality players returning to a unit that quietly was one of the country’s best last season. Jeff Rieskamp, Darryl Cato-Bishop and J.R. Sweezy are proven playmakers, and junior college transfer McKay Frandsen has shown considerable ability in practice. The linebacking corps lost 2010 stalwart Nate Irving to the NFL. The unit should still be a strength, however, with the return of Audie Cole and Terrell Manning. Cole is being asked to man Irving’s old spot in the middle and he could be poised for a breakout season. The secondary was dealt a blow when cornerback Jarvis Byrd, a projected starter, was lost for the second straight season with a knee injury. Nevertheless, there is plenty of experience on hand. Earl Wolff is a rising star and he forms a potent safety combo with Brandan Bishop. In special teams, T.J. Graham is one of the most dangerous kick returners in the conference.
Weaknesses:
The seemingly most glaring weakness – the quarterback position – might actually turn out to be a major strength. It all depends on whether or not Mike Glennon is as good as Coach O’Brien thinks he is. The heavily-recruited Glennon, now a junior, actually was given the starting QB position in the spring while Wilson was still on the team after Coach O’Brien, tired of the annual exercise of waiting to see if Wilson still wanted to play football or would rather focus on his baseball career, decided to remove the uncertainty once and for all. The 6-foot-6 Glennon has the arm of a big-time passer, and he has looked great in drills and the last two spring games, but the fact is he has never started a game. It would be a stretch to imagine him replicating Wilson’s fantastic 2010 numbers, especially given that N.C. State is breaking in a new corps of receivers. The departed trio of Owen Spencer, Jarvis Williams and Darrell Davis combined for almost 2,000 yards and 12 touchdowns last year. Graham hauled in 25 passes, but he has a troubling history of dropping passes. The running attack was almost an afterthought last season. Mustafa Greene led the way with just 597 yards and four touchdowns as a freshman. He might see a lot more work in 2011, however, to take some of the pressure off of Glennon. The question is, can he hold up under a heavier workload.
The Bottom Line:
The Wolfpack will be one of the more interesting teams to follow in the nation this year. O’Brien’s quarterback decision will be constantly scrutinized, especially if Wilson goes on to star for Wisconsin and Glennon struggles to fill his shoes. But look for Glennon to emerge as one of the ACC’s top signal-callers. He has loads of talent and a top-notch coaching staff that has worked with him for over two years. If some quality receivers develop, Greene provides an effective ground attack and the defense remains stout, the Pack might be in line for the Atlantic Division title that they narrowly missed last year.
Projected Bowl: Sun Bowl
2010 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 123.31 (95th in nation, 11th in conference)
Passing Offense: 281.15 (18, 1)
Total Offense: 404.46 (39, 4)
Scoring Offense: 31.85 (32, 3)
Rushing Defense: 114.31 (14, 2)
Pass Defense: 225.08 (72, 8)
Total Defense: 339.38 (31, 5)
Scoring Defense: 21.31 (29, 6)
Turnover Margin: .54 (27, 4)
Sacks: 3.15 (4, 2)
Sacks Allowed: 3.00 (109, 12)
Madness 2012 NFL Draft Rankings:
#94 George Bryan
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