ATHLON: NC State’s Wild Card Players in 2018

Yesterday Athlon ran a piece breaking down a “Wild Card” player on each side of the ball for each ACC football team heading into 2018.

Here’s their definition of a “Wild Card” player:

While getting returning stars to perform at a high level is imperative for success, the development of players that have not reached their maximum potential is equally important. Here is an offensive player and a defender for each ACC team whose play could make a large impact on his team’s success. (Athlon)

NC State’s 2018 Wild Card Players According to Athlon

Offense: Reggie Gallaspy, RB

Ryan Finley is a very good quarterback and he has some impressive targets, most notably Kelvin Harmon. But the Pack need a running back to replace Nyheim Hines. Gallaspy was solid as the No. 2 option in 2017 but he hopes to perhaps double the 506 rushing yards he produced last year.

Defense: Eurndraus Bryant, DT

When a team loses as much on defense as NC State did following last season, a lot of players have to step up. But it starts on the front line and Bryant has the potential to be a disruptor in the run game. (Athlon)

While NC State fans are excited about incoming freshman running back Ricky Person, and rightfully so, don’t forget about Reggie Gallaspy. Through three seasons in a reserve role, Gallaspy averages 4.6 yards per carry, and has rushed for 13 touchdowns (7 last season). While Person is the future, and will make an immediate impact, NC State needs Gallaspy’s experience to provide stability and consistency in the Wolfpack backfield. People forget that Gallaspy was a big recruiting commitment in the 2014 class. He was a 4-star recruit, and the #11 player in the state of North Carolina according to Rivals. Gallaspy led the state of North Carolina in rushing with 349 carries for 3,318 yards and 52 touchdowns for Southern Guilford in 2014.

All 4 of NC State’s starting defensive linemen were drafted within the first 4 rounds of this years NFL Draft, but that doesn’t mean you should panic. The Wolfpack return two players with tremendous experience in Darian Roseboro and Eurndraus Bryant on the defensive line. Roseboro is the name people remember, because he was a big-time recruit, and even considered entering the draft after last season playing in a reserve role, but don’t sleep on Bryant. He has played 300+ snaps each of the past two seasons. At 325 pounds, he’s shockingly explosive and quick-twitched. Bryant was able to bring down Louisville athletic freak Lamar Jackson for two sacks last season, if you needed data to prove it. The Wolfpack coaching staff has spoken highly of Bryant for years now, and they have been preparing him for this moment.