NC State Wolfpack

Head Coach

Tom O'Brien	2nd year
07-08	5-7
ACC	3-5
FCR	85

Previous Season Wins

Head Coach - Tom O’Brien first season ended on with mixed results, despite a four game winning streak late in the year the Wolfpack ended the year with a 5-7 mark. No out there doubts that O’Brien will get it done at NC State but with only 10 starters returning and questions on the O-Line they could take a step back this season before the ship gets righted.

Quarterback - The future at quarterback is true freshman Mike Glennon, he’s yet to arrive on campus and the question is will he show enough this fall to start or will Wolfpack fans have to wait till 09’ to see the 6-6 strong armed Glennon under center. Senior Daniel Evans is the returning starter, he missed spring practice with a shoulder injury and his numbers won’t impress you, he threw 12 TD’s but had 13 interceptions last year. Junior Harrison Beck and redshirt freshman Russell Wilson will also compete for time, Wilson was the more impressive this spring.

Running Backs - Good depth in the backfield with juniors Jamelle Eugene and Toney Baker and senior Andre Brown at running back, all three starter last season as injuries hit the Wolfpack hard last fall. Eugene finished the season as the starter and he had solid numbers; he had 667 rushing, caught 42 passes for 263 yards and scored six times. In Baker and Brown NC State has two solid between the tackles runners who if healthy will get touches, at fullback sophomore Harrison Ritcher is primarily a blocking back.

Receivers - On the outside at one wide receiver spot will be returning starter junior Donald Bowens, he led the team with 41 receptions for 598 yards and three TD’s, he has the physical skills to improve on those numbers this year. Look for sophomores Jarvis Williams and Darrell Davis to compete for time, they’re both big, physically gifted players and the Wolfpack will have the biggest receiving unit in the ACC. At tight end senior Anthony Hill returns, he missed the 07’ season but he’s a great run blocker who caught 45 passes in 06’ and was a All-ACC selection.

Offensive Line - O’Brien is known as excellent O-Line coach and he made numerous moves this spring trying to get the best options upfront on the field. He’s moved two defensive linemen, senior John Bedics and junior Ted Larsen; Bedics will be starting at left guard and Larsen at center. They do return three starters in seniors Curtis Couch at right guard, Meares Green at right tackle and at left tackle junior Julian Williams, Couch is the best player upfront and excels in the run blocking phase of line play.

Defensive Line - Despite the fact that the Wolfpack finished 91st against the run there appears to be talent upfront in juniors Willie Young and Alan Michael Cash, Young is on the outside and Cash will be at one tackle spot. They combined for 98 tackles and 9 ½ sacks and both could easily in line for All-ACC honors if the team can improve on their -16 in turnovers, improve that number and you have to believe the W-L will improve as well. The new starters will be sophomore Markus Kuhn at the other defensive end spot and inside senior Antoine Holmes who must contribute more against the run.

Linebackers - It’ll be a whole new unit at linebacker with junior Ray Michel in the middle, senior Robbie Leonard on strongside and sophomore Nate Irving manning the weakside. It’s an undersized unit so expect trouble stopping the run, but if they’ll can put pressure upfield and make some plays it’ll be a big plus.

Defensive Backs - The secondary was good against the pass, of course the fact they couldn’t stop the run had something to do with it. Both cornerback return in sophomore DeAndre Morgan and senior Jeremy Gray, they didn’t pick off a pass and that must change, Morgan in particular has a big upside and the potential to be an All-ACC corner. Senior J.C. Neal will be the strong safety and redshirt freshman Justin Byers has claimed the free safety spot with his play this spring.

Special Teams - Handling the placekicking will be sophomore Josh Czajkowski, and returning at punter is senior Bradley Pierson, who must improve on last seasons 37.2 yard average. They’ll have new faces handling the returns and the frontrunners are starters Jamelle Eugene and Donald Bowens.

Schedule - They’ll won’t leave the Carolinas until October and home date in September against East Carolina and South Florida will be very telling for Wolfpack fans. O’Brien will figure it out but with only 10 starters returning and questions at quarterback this NC State team will take a step back, look for the Wolfpack to win only 3 games this year.