Spring football has come to a close and there is plenty of excitement surrounding the State team, but there are a few questions that must be answered if this team is going to contend for an ACC Title. Last season was a step in the right direction for Coach Doeren’s program as his team won 4 of its’ last 5 games including a beating of rival UNC. In order to improve the Pack must figure a few things out.

1. How will the offensive line look after losing both tackles to graduation? 

Last season the tackle positions were a strength as both Rob Crisp and Tyson Chandler controlled the ends fairly well and allowed Brissett time to dictate. With the loss of these two players Doeren has looked at red-shirt freshman Tyler Jones ( 6-3, 290) who was impressive in spring practices at left tackle. On the right side a familiar face has moved from guard position and into the right tackle as Alex Barr began getting the majority of reps. If both Barr and Jones can excel at the tackle positions the Pack should be able to put up some great numbers on offense. It would also bode well for State Football’s future if Jones a red-shirt freshman can lock down the all important blindside for years to come.

2. How good can this defensive front 7 be? 

The coaching staff has made a point of emphasis this off-season to put their best players on the field at defense and in order to do that they have shifted some players into new positions. Heralded recruit Kentavius Street has moved from defensive end to defensive tackle. The staff wants him to focus on getting pressure up the middle to collapse the pocket, Street should be a tough match up for guards as he is very quick and solid at 280 pounds. Another position change is putting Bradley Chubb back at his natural position of defensive end. Chubb played a lot of special teams and outside lineback, but with his length (6-4) and burst Doeren wants him to use it to get to the Qb.

One player who has been turning heads with his size and athleticism is Darian Roseboro, the 4 star defensive end recruit from Lincolnton, NC who enrolled early in January. By coming in early he has taken full advantage of spring workouts. In the Red-White game he was constantly beating his man and had a very nice tackle for loses on Reggie Gallaspy. Look for the coaches to use an aggressive defensive scheme to cause headaches for opposing team’s Qb’s.

Anchoring our linebackers will be sophomore Jerod Fernandez. Last season he finished second in total tackles at 78 and picked off two passes. The experience that he gained last season will only help catapult him in his career as he has all the tools to be one of the better linebackers to come through State in sometime. He reminds me of Stephen Tulloch with his size and nose for the ball. Look for him to improve upon last season and be one of the leading tacklers in the ACC.

3. How will Brissett be utilized? 

In the first 7 games or so last season Coach Doeren was hesitant to call many designed runs for Jacoby as he knew he didn’t have a backup Qb to replace him if he were injured. Things changed in the last 4 games as Doeren opened up the play book and allowed him to use all of his tools. Jacoby is a gifted athlete who not only has a great arm but has excellent vision when he tucks it to run. NC State is at its’ best when they run the football. The field really opens up for our talented running backs when the defense has to worry about Jacoby as a threat to run. Look at last season how often he handed the ball off to his tailback on the zone read, only to run it a few times to keep the defense honest. Most of the time he would only gain 4 yards or so; however, this set up big gains for Thornton as the ends and linebackers were paralyzed trying to figure out who had the ball.

Will Doeren be more aggressive in his playing calling for Jacoby knowing that he has a Jalan McClendon in his pocket? Jalan still needs some seasoning as he needs to gain greater control of the huddle with time management as well as harnessing his rocket arm. With that being said he has all the earmarks of being a great Qb in the coming years for the Pack.

What are some of the questions you have about this team?  September will be here before we know it!