I’ll admit that I have a problem, and that’s the first step.
I’ve bought three preseason magazines. I’ve DVR’d each episode of College Football Live. At work, I sneak looks of the Blue Ribbon Previews of each college football team.
Yes, we all still have 29 days before this year’s college football season officially kicks off with N.C. State broadcasted nationally on prime time against South Carolina. But man, those 29 days are moving slowly.
The Wolfpack’s preseason practices begin today, and when school starts, Technician will bring you practice updates and insight Monday through Friday, making sure you’re as ready as the players are when they travel to Columbia.
To ease your preseason anxieties in the mean time, here are a few key position units to keep an eye on during two-a-days:
Quarterbacks Sure it’s the obvious one, as coach Tom O’Brien still has not announced the opening game starter, and don’t expect an announcement anytime soon. O’Brien has contended all off season that he’s in no rush to name a starter and probably will not do so until the week leading up to the big game. Returning starter Daniel Evans is listed on top of the depth chart, and going into a hostile environment like Williams-Brice Stadium, it makes sense to start your most experienced guy. But redshirt freshman Russell Wilson sure has been impressive in practice, and though I’ve never been a Harrison Beck backer, it’s hard to ignore his talent. Highly-touted freshman Mike Glennon begins his first practice with the team today, but at his size one has to think O’Brien wants to redshirt him. My prediction: Evans starts but O’Brien won’t be afraid to use Wilson at any sign of trouble.
Running backs O’Brien acknowledged at ACC media day that last year’s leading rusher, Jamelle Eugene, is the guy, and he doesn’t need to look over his shoulder. It’s a remarkable feat for Eugene, a back who seemed to be considering a transfer after being stuck behind two Parade All-Americans in Andre Brown and Toney Baker. So, with Brown and Baker both still recovering from injuries, Eugene should take the bulk of the first-team carries in practice. But Brown and Baker are just too talented to sit on the sideline. Expect South Carolina to see a healthy dose of all three as O’Brien looks for the right balance. Linebackers One of the Pack’s main weaknesses last year could stay that way this year, unless some unexperienced players can step up and lead State’s defense. The Pack lost three fifth-year seniors last year who made a combined 32 starts last season. Now, the positions will be filled by junior middle linebacker Ray Michel, sophomore outside linebacker Nate Irving and senior Robbie Leonard, who converted to linebacker in the offseason from safety. Irving and Michel both have plenty of spot duty experience and Leonard filled in nicely in the spring. The bigger question is who will give them depth? Look for the coaching staff to thoroughly inspect the cast of young backups to come up with a few that can give the starters some relief, notably from true freshman Dwayne Maddox, who pleased O’Brien with his improvement during the spring.
