Devin Leary finished the 2019 season as NC State’s starting quarterback and will head into 2020 at the top of the depth chart, as Dave Doeren reiterated on Thursday. The Wolfpack began spring practice today.
I’m a little surprised that NC State didn’t seriously pursue a graduate transfer quarterback as a quick fix this offseason, what with Dave Doeren’s job on the line and all that. (Could be he looked at some guys but didn’t like any of them, I suppose.) But you could take it as a positive sign that Doeren has confidence in the kids on hand.
There’s a lot of pressure riding on the position, since NC State ain’t going anywhere in 2020 without significant improvement in the passing game. Honestly, it’s difficult to be optimistic about that happening but I’ll keep an open mind about it.
Leary won’t have to beat out Matthew McKay, who transferred to Montana State, which leaves Bailey Hockman as the other quarterback on the roster with college experience. Freshmen Ty Evans and Ben Finley could figure into the mix here, though I figure the odds are low. Finley has only been on campus since January.
If any shuffling at quarterback does happen, most likely that won’t happen until fall camp.