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Pack getting back on track

A few questions linger as N.C. State heads toward its opener against South Carolina

By Ken Tysiac

McClatchy-Tribune News Service

Published: August 3, 2009

RALEIGH - For the first time since Philip Rivers was a senior in 2003, N.C. State enters preseason training camp without serious questions at quarterback.

Sophomore Russell Wilson displayed a strong arm, nimble feet and an uncanny sense of judgment last season on his way to first-team All-ACC honors.

Wilson missed time on three occasions because of injury last season, but N.C. State even has a promising backup, highly regarded redshirt freshman Mike Glennon.

So in his third season, football coach Tom O'Brien appears finally to have solved the most frustrating problem from the end of predecessor Chuck Amato's tenure. In fact, a look at N.C. State's depth chart shows that as camp starts today, the Wolfpack doesn't have a lot of glaring deficiencies after going 6-7 with a loss to Rutgers in the Papajohns.com Bowl last season.

Although this preseason won't be as interesting as 2008, which began with a five-way competition for the starting quarterback spot, there still are some unsettled areas as N.C. State prepares for the Sept. 3 opener against South Carolina at Carter-Finley Stadium.

Here are five things to watch during N.C. State's preseason practice:

Who will replace Nate Irving?

Irving, who might be the team's best player, is out indefinitely while he recovers from injuries suffered in a serious car crash on June 28.

Although Irving's status won't be determined until after a mid-August doctor's appointment, there's a good chance this is a long-term injury that could cause him to miss much or all of the season.

Sophomore Dwayne Maddox, who stepped in for Irving when he was recovering from a high ankle sprain last season, will get the first chance to replace him at the boundary linebacker position.

"Sometimes the beauty of going through the injuries we went through last year, some guys even though they took their beatings for a while, now they've grown up," N.C. State defensive coordinator Mike Archer said. "And this becomes Dwayne Maddox's time."

If Maddox falters, N.C. State has two other possibilities. Sophomore Sterling Lucas, who played well as Ray Michel's backup at middle linebacker last season, could start in the middle and allow Michel to fill Irving's spot.

Talented redshirt freshman Terrell Manning could move into the starting lineup at field linebacker, allowing sophomore Audie Cole to move.

What's going to happen at right offensive guard?

Right guard, where Meares Green played as a senior last season, is the one unsettled position on N.C. State's experienced offensive line.

Center Ted Larsen, right tackle Jeraill McCuller, left tackle Jake Vermiglio and left guard Julian Williams have started at least 11 games. But Andy Barbee, the senior scheduled to start at right guard, has played just 169 snaps.

If Barbee can't get the job done, one of four talented freshmen -- perhaps redshirt R.J. Mattes -- will get the next shot at it.

How much will boundary cornerback Dominique Ellis' transfer hurt the defense?

Ellis appeared ready to embark on a productive career after shining as a backup to Jeremy Gray last season as a freshman.

Gray was a senior, so Ellis was set to move up before he decided to leave N.C. State. Now, senior
Koyal George, a former walk-on whose experience on defense is limited to 99 snaps last season, takes over the spot.

George is a former wide receiver who gained valuable experience in the spring working at boundary cornerback while starter DeAndre Morgan was sidelined by an injury.

"He understands how people try to run routes because he was a receiver," Archer said. "He's a very bright kid. He did not have a lot of confidence last year because he didn't have confidence in himself because he was new. He's a different guy now because he's had a year over there."

Will Toney Baker be able to play a prominent role in the backfield?

Baker, who led N.C. State in rushing in 2006, tore a knee ligament in the 2007 opener against Central Florida and hasn't played in a game since.

He finally got back on the field during spring practice but didn't appear to have the same burst in the spring game that made him a dangerous back before the injury.

If Baker doesn't regain that burst, redshirt freshman Brandon Barnes or freshman James Washington will have to back up reliable starter Jamelle Eugene.

Who's going to punt?

Senior Jeff Ruiz, a junior college transfer, did a decent job in the spring as N.C. State looks to replace Bradley Pierson.

But the coaching staff would like somebody to display a stronger leg. That could be freshman Chris Ward of Fayetteville, Ga., who won the best punter award with an average punt of 42.7 yards and average hang time of 4.17 seconds as a senior at the Southern Kicking Invitational.