Five things to watch as NC State football opens fall practice with new offense, new QB

UPDATED AUGUST 01, 2023 3:30 PM
RALEIGH
N.C. State quarterback Brennan Armstrong, new to the Wolfpack program, was asked last week what one word best describes his head coach, Dave Doeren.
“Focused,” Armstrong said.
And there’s another, the QB quickly added.
“Detailed-oriented.”
Both fit the man, the coach. As Doeren enters fall practice for his 11th season at N.C. State, his focus again is on molding his team into one that can maximize its talent, be sound in every facet and can contend for an ACC championship.
The Wolfpack, coming off an 8-5 season, was picked to finish fourth in the ACC in 2023 preseason balloting at the ACC Football Kickoff — Clemson was the No. 1 pick, followed by Florida State and North Carolina.
Gone are such program staples as Isaiah Moore, Drake Thomas, Grant Gibson, Thayer Thomas, Tanner Ingle, Christopher Dunn and others. The new faces in the program include offensive coordinator Robert Anae, who has installed a different offensive system and gotten Armstrong to transfer in and help run it.
“It’s going to be an interesting camp, man. It is,” Doeren said last week at the ACC Kickoff in Charlotte.
Here are five things to WATCH:
THE WIDEOUTS
A lot of names will be tossed around in the conversation about the receiver group: Keyon Lesane, Porter Rooks, Terrell Timmons, Kevin “KC” Conception, Julian Gray, Anthony Smith …
Then there’s the late addition: Bradley Rozner, the 6-foot-5 transfer from Rice who had 10 TD catches last season.
“We need some players to emerge,” Doeren said. “It’s all about making plays and adjusting to the ball. The receiver position, to me, it’s the contact catches where you really find out what guys can do. All these guys have to prove it.
“They’re all talented. Julian is one of the fastest players in the conference. They just have to go out there and get that confidence and make those plays.”
TRENT PENNIX
The Pack can only hope Pennix can get through fall camp and then the season without an injury. That might be a big ask, given his shoulder problems, but the versatile tight end from Raleigh can be a big weapon in the Anae offense.
“We want to get him into the season and unleash him,” Armstrong said. “He’s one of the fastest, biggest, strongest guys I’ve ever seen. He can tote the ball, so If I can just get the ball in his hands he can make a lot of plays. He’s a unique player, one I haven’t seen before.”
The Pack has impressive depth at tight end and freshman Juice Vereen -- called a “hybrid” receiver by Doeren -- could have an impact. But a healthy Pennix could be a difference-maker for the offense.
QB REPS
From all appearances, it’s Armstrong’s offense to run. He knows Anae’s system, he has experience, he knows the ACC. No. 5 appears to be the guy.
But MJ Morris did not return this season to be a bystander. The sophomore can be a dynamic player with the ball and also wants to play.
It will be interesting to see how much work and how many repetitions Morris gets in fall camp leading up to the Aug. 31 opener at Connecticut.
STEPPING UP ON D
Doeren was asked last week about defensive players who could take a leap forward this season, much as cornerback Aydan White did in ‘22.
Two who quickly came to mind: lineman Davin Vann and defensive back Devan Boykin.
Vann, a junior from Cary, is a more proven player after starting every game last season at defensive end, but could get All-ACC attention in 2023. Boykin, a junior, played both safety and nickel in 2022.
“Davin Vann has played a lot of football for us and is one of the better defensive linemen in the conference, in my opinion,” Doeren said. “Boykin in the secondary has been a rotational player who now has a chance to be a name. Really smart, hard-working guy. I can see him taking that step.”
KICKING THE BALL
Few luxuries are nicer for a coach than not having to worry about his placekicker. A year ago, the Pack’s Dunn missed just one kick all season in winning the Lou Groza Award as the nation’s best placekicker.
Dunn is gone and Doeren said the competition to replace him involves Collin Smith, graduate transfer Brayden Narveson from Western Kentucky and former walk-on Kanoah Vinesett.
“It’s wide-open for those three,” Doeren said. “I’m anxious to see how it all works out.”