August, 1, 2024
Raleigh, NC-As the 2024 college football season looms closer and with Fall Camp opening, all eyes are on the Wolfpack and their highly anticipated offensive transformation. With the addition of several new faces at QB, RB, and WR, the focus of the 2023 offseason was injecting new life into an offense that was inconsistent throughout the 2023 season.
Entering his 12th season, Head Coach Dave Doeren, NC State has steadily built a reputation for its hard-nosed, tough, blue-collar mentality. This tough approach has helped the Pack to 26 wins over the last 3 seasons in Raleigh. However, in 2023, Coach Doeren decided it was time for a new direction on offense. Enter new Offensive Coordinator Robert Anae. Coach Anae brought an entirely new strategic approach that was on full display in several games in 2023. The aggressive scheme included several formation variations and creative play calls that helped power the Wolfpack to a season-ending 5-game winning streak. The offensive outburst led to several accolades for Freshman Kevin Concepcion. Concepcion ended the season earning All-ACC designations and All-America honors. With the offensive prowess and a seasoned coaching staff, the 2024 season marks a pivotal moment for the Wolfpack’s offense and gives birth to a new excitement for fans of the Wolfpack.
Key Players to Watch
At the heart of NC State’s revamped offense, was a plethora of several transfer portal additions in addition to several key returning players who are poised to make a significant impact this season:
Quarterback: With a new offense comes new leadership. Enter Sun Belt star and Coastal Carolina transfer QB Grayson McCall. McCall found his new home in Raleigh after spending 5 years in Conway. McCall brings with him several accolades including 3x Sun Belt Player of the Year and Sun Belt Freshman of the Year honors. He amassed over 10,000 passing yards and over 1100 yards rushing to go with 106 total touchdowns. McCall brings the leadership, poise, experience, and accuracy to the position. His immediate insertion into an offense that was lacking consistency, will have a major impact on the new look passing attack. Freshman Cedric Bailey will give McCall a capable backup. He brings from Miami with him a big arm and a ton of athleticism which led to him being an Under Armour high school All American. His combination of speed and arm talent, gives the Wolfpack a very bright future.
Running Backs: The running back room is now a full stable of talented running backs. Returning Sophomore Kendrick Rafael provided a much-needed boost to a 2023 running game that was lacking explosiveness and consistency. NC State added 2 huge additions to this room from the transfer portal in Jordan Waters and Hollywood Smothers. Waters transferred in from Duke after a coaching staff change. Smothers returned home after spending a short time in Norman with the Sooners.
Waters brings a wealth of experience and productivity to the room that was full of inconsistency in 2023. Waters finished the 2023 season with 819 yards rushing with 12 TD’s. He added another 139 yards receiving. His vision, patience and strong running made him the perfect bell cow running back for the Wolfpack in 2024. He is a true workhorse with 3-down capability and will give the Pack a weapon that will give opposing defenses fits.
Smothers brings with him a girth of talent and speed that allows him to provide a change of pace back who can hit the explosive play at any time. Since his arrival from Norman, Smothers has demonstrated his speed and quickness as he was able to spring several good runs in his Wolfpack audition in the annual Spring Game. His future is extremely bright, and he will factor in the offense in 2024.
Receivers and Tight Ends: In what were 2 positions of in clear need of an upgrade, the Wolfpack used the 2023 offseason to completely overhaul these 2 position groups. Incoming transfers, Noah Rogers, Justin Joly, and Wesley Grimes are poised to improve a passing attack that finished as the 100th ranked passing attack in the country. Joly, was ranked as the 2nd best overall TE transfer, brings an explosive arsenal of speed, pass-catching ability, experience, and agility that will wreak havoc on opposing defenses. As evidenced by his performance against Tennessee and others, he can create mismatches all over the field with his route running and catch radius. Devon Daniels will also provide the Pack with a much-combination of pass blocking and pass catching, making this group one of the deepest in the conference.
With the return of Freshman All-American Kevin Concepcion and junior Dacari Collins, the receiving room was off to a good start for 2024. The unit received a huge influx of talent with the transfer portal additions of Noah Rogers from Ohio State and Wesley Grimes from Wake Forest. Rogers brings a next level athlete to a group that already had a good foundation. Rogers brings elite speed and route running that has elevated him to a starting role opposite of Collins. His big play capabilities are evident with every catch. The expectations are high for him and so far, he’s living up to them.
Wesley Grimes joins the team after spending 3 years at Wake Forest where he excelled at making tough catches and giving his QB the trust of a consistent pass catcher. His added experience was welcomed to a team that was filled with young talent. Grimes has been growing more comfortable in his new offense and should favor heavily in a rotation of receivers who will be counted on for big things in 2024.
The Pack also signed 5 additional receivers in the 2024 class bringing a level of talent to the room not seen in Raleigh in quite some time. Christian Zachery, Terrell Anderson, Jamar Boston, Jonathan Paylor, and Keenan Jackson all bring different skills that will translate to the next level. Paylor, Anderson and Jackson all showed flashes in the Spring game giving fans a glimpse into what will be very bright futures for all of them. Since arriving on campus, Paylor has shown elite speed and pass catching ability which should allow him to rotate in the slot with Concepcion. He is a true big play threat.
Offensive Line: Now in his second year as offensive line coach, Garrett Tujague has fully stamped his aggressiveness and attitude to a unit that was in need of getting better push. The running game has been a focus of improvement over the last few seasons, and in 2024 fans should see the work done by Tujague and his staff. The Pack return 4 starters from the 2023 unit that was one of the better pass-blocking units in the conference. Anthony Belton, Jacarrius Peak, Tim McKay, and Anthony Carter are all back for another year and are poised to prove that they are one of the best in the ACC. After losing Grant Gibson to graduation, the Pack added Zeke Correll from the transfer portal to fill the void at Center. Correll comes from a Notre Dame unit known for its strength and ability. Since arriving in the Spring, Correll has displayed both and will be expected to be the true leader of a unit expected to take the next step in 2024.
Behind the starting unit is a plethora of depth pieces who are expected to provide insurance in the event of any injuries or poor play. 2023 Oregon transfer Dawson Jaramillo is expected to be the swing man of the depth. He can play multiple positions along the line and will give the Pack an experienced back up they can rely on. Kamen Smith and Matt McCabe are also expected to compete at the guard position all the way up until the first game. Both have gotten reps with the first team in the Spring and early Fall camp. Having competition is healthy for a unit that needs to be elite for the Pack to achieve its goal of being in Charlotte in December.
Looking Ahead
As the 2024 season unfolds, NC State fans can expect explosive plays and memorable moments from the new-look dynamic offensive unit. With a blend of seasoned veterans and promising newcomers, the Wolfpack’s offense is primed to showcase its potential and compete at the highest level of college football as it looks to hoist its first ACC Championship trophy since 1979 and compete for the new 12-team College Football playoff.
The 2024 NC State football offense represents more than just a collection of talented athletes; it embodies the spirit of hard, tough, and together. With Coach Dave Doeren at the helm and a roster brimming with talent, the Wolfpack are poised to make waves in the ACC and nationally in 2024.
