North Carolina State Wolfpack Football Offseason Preview

North Carolina State has rarely had a chance to accomplish big things in its history as a college football program. The 2002 team quarterbacked by future NFL Hall of Famer Philip Rivers played in a January bowl game, the Gator Bowl, and defeated Notre Dame. That is one of the greatest seasons North Carolina State has ever had … which is the problem. North Carolina State has never played in the Rose, Sugar, Cotton, or Orange Bowls, any of the top-tier bowl games in the country. The Wolfpack played in the Peach Bowl, but they did so in an era when the Peach was a second-level bowl game behind the New Year’s Day classics. Very few Power Five conference programs have never appeared in a signature New Year’s Day bowl, but State is one of them, and everyone inside the program is aware of this. With Clemson not at the absolute height of its powers and Wake Forest trying to defend a division championship, the ACC Atlantic is up for grabs. North Carolina State has never won a division title. It has never appeared in the ACC Championship Game. So many things have not been achieved by this school, and in 2022, it has a chance to achieve them all. That’s a portrait of opportunity, but also immense pressure, and we will soon find out if this team is ready to handle the heat under coach Dave Doeren, whose career might be defined by this upcoming year.

Key Personnel Lost

North Carolina State didn’t lose many significant pieces, but it did lose one: offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu, who was taken with the No. 6 pick in the 2022 NFL draft. Ekwonu wiped away a large number of problems for the North Carolina State offensive line. He made life a lot easier for quarterback Devin Leary. Not having him as a dependable anchor up front is something the Wolfpack will need to adjust to and make sure they can sufficiently compensate for.

Important Incoming Freshmen

The Wolfpack signed two four-star recruits, running back Michael Allen and linebacker Torren Wright. They also pulled in some three-star players who will be freshmen this fall: cornerback Isaiah Crowell, cornerback Jackson Vick, and defensive lineman D.J. Jackson. It’s an open question as to whether any of these players will get frontline roles on the roster, given all the veteran experience in Raleigh, but if any big injury occurs, that’s when this incoming freshmen class could become surprisingly valuable and necessary in the pursuit of a division championship and more.

Key Position Battles

The Wolfpack have a seasoned defense, a veteran returning quarterback in Devin Leary, and a lot of established pieces on a roster with ample returning starters. The one position group which will need to evolve over the course of the season is wide receiver. Elite playmakers have to step forward and help quarterback Devin Leary make huge plays in the passing game. Good defenses were able to take those big plays away last year. State has to be more potent and get more quick-strike plays into its offense.

Biggest Offseason Goal(s)

Dave Doeren needs to make sure his offense can score from all angles on all areas of the field against good defenses, but more than that, he needs to make sure his team is ready to handle the pressure of one of the biggest seasons in North Carolina State history. This program has so often stumbled in a big late-season game and needs to find a way to avoid stepping on a rake when it really counts. Discipline and focus are needed in Raleigh.