NC State’s spring practices culminate this weekend in the Kay Yow Spring Football Game at Carter-Finley Stadium.
Wolfpack Nation will get a peek at what’s to come later this fall when State looks to build upon a solid eight-win season, a bowl win over Central Florida, and plenty of firepower returning.
Last article I looked at the wide receiver position and what the Pack has to look forward to in terms of returning talent, and what they lost. This position was the focus of two instances of student-athletes leaving the program. Bo Hines and Marquez Valdes-Scantling are no longer with NC State. This fact made the receivers a point of interest given the notoriety the two gained in 2014, especially Hines.
With their starting quarterback and top two running backs returning, the depth (or lack thereof) at wide receiver became even more apparent. It won’t matter who’s running with or catching the ball if the offensive line isn’t front and center clearing the path for the skill position players.
NC State Spring Football Watch: Offensive Line
NC State’s offensive line was consistent last season. They did give up 29 sacks on the year, but fifteen of those occurred in the middle four games against Florida State, Clemson, Boston College, and Louisville. Those four teams all went bowling, had a combined 39-14 record, and likely won’t allow State many mistakes in 2015 either.
Tackles Tyson Chandler and Rob Crisp have graduated, leaving massive (literally and figuratively) holes in those positions. These two started every game last season, along with returning center Quinton Schooley. Schooley will be the anchor on the line in more ways than one. A returning senior, Schooley will command a squad of interior linemen Tony Adams, Alex Barr, and Joe Thuney, all of whom started a significant amount of games last season.
Barr started the first eight games at guard, but missed time at the end of the year due to a concussion. Thuney was sidelined with illness for a part of 2014 as well, but also contributed in the trenches.
It’s the outside of the line that will undergo a facelift this season. Quarterback Jacoby Brissett’s blind side will have a new protector, and the counterpart at right tackle will be new to that post as well.
Given the foursome of Schooley, Adams, Thuney, and Barr have as much action under their belts as they do, the line has a tremendous foundation to build on.
Per the depth chart from Rivals, Adams and Thuney will remain at guard, while Barr will move to tackle for the time being. Redshirt freshman Tyler Jones will be opposite Barr as the other tackle.
If head coach Dave Doeren and staff are confident enough in a redshirt freshman to be on the starting line as of now, they have to feel great about the rest of the linemen in waiting who have years on Jones. If he slides into the veteran group, and they gel between the spring game and the first slate of non-conference games in the fall, the Pack can pick up where they left off in December.
NC State has fifteen offensive linemen listed on their roster for the spring. If the injuries are kept to a minimum as they were last year, they shouldn’t have to dip into the pool too often. Having the center and both tackles start every game was a huge factor in the eight wins from a year ago. If they’re fortunate enough to have three linemen contribute this way in 2015, State will have a good chance to contend in the Atlantic.
After the tune-ups against non-conference foes, the defenses will escalate immensely once ACC play begins. Four out of five linemen have ACC experience under their belts. That fifth lineman, be it Jones or a replacement, will have to use the summer and four opening games to get their footing in a real atmosphere. The veterans will be a huge asset in breaking in a new weapon up front to protect the backfield.
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