NC State Football: Can the Wolfpack reload in 2018?
Offense
The Wolfpack offense finished 2017 ranked 21st offensively per the S&P+. The Wolfpack return their starting quarterback Ryan Finley. The 6-foot-4, 210 pound Finley has thrown for 7,219 yards and 38 touchdowns while averaging 7.4 yards per attempt over his career.
Finley even ran for another three touchdowns in 2017 to go with his 17 passing scores and over 3,000 yards passing. Finley will be a highly rated passer in the 2019 NFL Draft class as he has NFL size and a proven track record of being accurate.
Supporting Cast
While Hines has moved on to the NFL, the Pack do return backup Reggie Gallaspy II. Gallaspy is a 5-foot-11, 225 pound running back who has averaged 4.6 yards per carry over his career in Raleigh. With 13 touchdowns from scrimmage, Gallaspy hasn’t played a huge role in the passing game but ran for 506 yards in 2017. Four-star freshman Ricky Person from Heritage High School in nearby Wake Forest, NC will be expected to make an immediate impact at 6-foot-2 and 202 pounds.
Wide receiver Kelvin Harmon returns for the 2018 season. Harmon, a 6-foot-3, 213 pound star caught 69 balls for 1,017 yards and four touchdowns last season. 6-foot-2 receiver slash quarterback Jokobi Meyers caught 63 passes for 727 yards and five touchdowns of his own in 2017. Harmon and Meyers lose tight end Jaylen Samuels from the receiving corps but Stephen Louis averaged 15.2 yards per reception last season. Three-star freshman receiver Devin Carter is 6-foot-4, 205 pounds and can make a huge impact with his size and ability.
On the offensive line, the Pack lost second team All-ACC lineman Will Richardson early to the NFL Draft. Guard Tony Adams, who was also second team All-ACC, graduated. Center Garrett Bradbury who was named All-ACC Honorable Mention in 2017 does return to captain the offensive line.