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ACC Football: 5 storylines to follow at 2019 ACC Kickoff

By Michael McDaniel

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 29: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Clemson Tigers reacts with head coach Dabo Swinney after a second quarter touchdown pass against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the College Football Playoff Semifinal Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 29: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Clemson Tigers reacts with head coach Dabo Swinney after a second quarter touchdown pass against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the College Football Playoff Semifinal Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 08: Head coach Dave Doeren of the North Carolina State Wolfpack watches a replay during the second half of their game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Carter-Finley Stadium on November 08, 2018 in Raleigh, North Carolina. Wake Forest won 27-23. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 08: Head coach Dave Doeren of the North Carolina State Wolfpack watches a replay during the second half of their game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Carter-Finley Stadium on November 08, 2018 in Raleigh, North Carolina. Wake Forest won 27-23. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

3. How will NC State replace lost production in passing game?

North Carolina State head coach Dave Doeren has his work cut out for him heading into this fall. Doeren, who is entering his seventh season in Raleigh, must replace nearly all of his offensive production in the passing game from 2018, which was ranked 8th nationally at 313.2 yards per game.

Gone is quarterback Ryan Finley, who threw for nearly 4,000 yards last season and 25 touchdown passes. The Wolfpack will try to replace the former Boise State transfer with sophomore Matthew McKay, who appears to have the inside track to become the team’s new quarterback after a strong spring.

If McKay doesn’t step up as many around the program expect, the Wolfpack could look to Florida State transfer Bailey Hockman or freshman Devin Leary to turn a new leaf under center.

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At receiver, it gets worse. The Wolfpack must replace two 1,000-plus yard receivers who moved on to the NFL.

Jakobi Meyers had 92 catches for 1,047 yards and four touchdowns. Gone.

Kelvin Harmon had 81 catches for 1,186 yards and seven touchdowns. He’s also gone.

Expect for junior Emeka Emezie, the team’s number three receiver from a year ago to have a bigger role in the offense. As a sophomore in 2018, Emezie had 53 catches for 616 yards and five touchdowns. He’ll likely be the team’s new number one receiver.

Rising sophomore Thayer Thomas, who is an absolute burner, will have a chance to shine as well. Thomas had a productive freshman season for the Wolfpack in which he recorded 34 catches for 383 yards and three touchdowns. He’ll likely be utilized a bit more heading into 2019.

Regardless, it won’t be easy to replace the production of the departed Meyers and Harmon, who left an indelible mark on the program in the passing game at wide receiver.

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