NC State Football: 3 Upperclassmen who need to step up in 2022

1. Devin Leary: Quarterback

All of the hopes and dreams of the North Carolina State football rest on the right arm of quarterback Devin Leary. The redshirt senior quarterback stayed healthy and had an All-ACC caliber season, throwing for over 3,400 yards and a single-season record 35 touchdowns.

As the season went on, it became apparent that offensive coordinator Tim Beck put more trust and offensive responsibility on Leary. That said, the Wolfpack and Leary are better when the offense has balance.

Leary threw the football over forty times in NC State’s three losses last year, including a season-high 59 times in their loss to Wake Forest. Leary was masterful against Clemson, throwing for 238 yards and four touchdowns while completing over 70% of his passes.

The offensive switch came as both Ricky Pearson and Zonovan Knight battled injuries last season. Beck began throwing the football more often to set up the run instead of the opposite. Without the experience of Pearson and Knight, expect more of the same in Raleigh.

What will be interesting to watch is who will be the go-to receiver for Leary this season? Maryland transfer Daryl Jones could play huge dividends considering he is the fastest receiver on the team. An explosive perimeter presence could be a game-changer for Leary and the Wolfpack.