Clemson stays in Death Valley for the second game of its three-game homestand against the NC State Wolfpack on Sept. 21 at Memorial Stadium.
After the Wolfpack took down the Tigers last year, Clemson gets a shot at redemption. This time, it is at home and under much better circumstances. For NC State is coming off a 9-4 (6-2 ACC) year in 2023 and round off the Tigers’ first quarter of the season. Will the Wolfpack take the cake two years in a row?
OFFENSE
The NC State offense is a little different from the unit it was last year. With the addition of Coastal Carolina transfer quarterback Grayson McCall at the helm, along with Duke transfer running back Jordan Waters and Ohio State transfer wide receiver Noah Rogers, the Wolfpack attack will be a much more significant threat.
McCall is an accurate and mobile passer with more promise than most previous play-callers in the recent past. Now joined with a running back who nearly totaled 1,000 yards last season for Duke, the ground game can carry its own for the Wolfpack. The offensive line is back and better than ever, with All-ACC tackle Anthony Belton leading the way with three returning linemen and Notre Dame transfer Zeke Correll at center.
The weapons are just as good. Kevin Concepcion returns after winning the ACC Rookie of the Year Award, leading the team in catches and scores. Combined with the dangerous UConn transfer in tight end Justin Joly, Rogers and other talented receivers in the lineup, the fear grows larger in their opponents’ eyes.
DEFENSE
One thing is for certain — the defense will be much different without Payton Wilson. And that is expected when you lose the best linebacker in college football.
Nonetheless, things look great for the defensive front. Brandon Cleveland and Colorado transfer Chazz Wallace man the trenches with fierce power, and the outside is made strong by Davin Vann and Travali Price, both talented rushers.
After leading the ACC in interceptions with 17, it will be tough to recreate such results. Aydan White is a highly talented corner who will lead the secondary, followed by talented defensive backs who are new to the program like Ohio State transfer safety Ja’Had Carter.
SPECIAL TEAMS
NC State brings back its ACC star specialist Caden Noonkester as its punter, who led the conference in multiple stats, with 71 punts for 3,022 yards and 11 50-plus yard punts.
After replacing Brayden Narveson in the Wolfpack’s Spring Game and nailing a 48-yarder, redshirt sophomore Kanoah Vinesett from Rock Hill, S.C., takes the helm at kicker with only one extra-point attempt in his collegiate career, which was good.
OVERVIEW
After a strong year for the Wolfpack in 2023, when they finished 9-4 with multiple losses coming to ranked teams, they are a clear contender for the ACC title. Even with an improvingly difficult schedule in 2024, with teams like Clemson, Tennessee, Duke and UNC slated for competition, NC State could be a potential playoff contender.
Another year in the offensive hands of Robert Anae and under the coaching eye of Dave Doeren, who has been tenured with the program since 2013, awaits NC State, and it’s shaping up to be another great game between the Wolfpack and Tigers in September.
A limited number of signed footballs from Clemson’s 2022 class are still available. Get yours while supplies last! Visit Clemson Variety & Frame or purchase online!
Most Popular
Comments / 0