NC State Receiving Corps at Full Strength for 1st Time in 2018

For the first time in 2018, the NC State receiving corps is at full strength, and it comes at a perfect time. The Wolfpack begins ACC play against Virginia today at 12:20pm, and the Cavaliers are only giving up 183.8 yards through the air per game.

It’s hard to believe that NC State leads the ACC in passing yards, and ranks 4th nationally, and their receivers haven’t been at full strength a single game thus far.

Redshirt Graduate Senior Wide Receiver Stephen Louis missed the season opener due to a tight hamstring. He made his 2018 debut against Georgia State, but left the game early due to a blow that put him in the concussion protocol. Louis returned against Marshall, playing 39 snaps, but Redshirt Sophomore Wide Receiver Emeka Emezie has started all three games thus far in place of Louis, and he has done a tremendous job. Through 3 games, Emezie is averaging 5 receptions per game (4th in the ACC), and has 154 yards receiving and 1 touchdown reception.

Redshirt Junior Wide Receiver Jakobi Meyers opened the season with one of the best games by a wide receiver in NC State history. He had 14 receptions (2nd highest single-game total in school history) for 161 yards against James Madison. Unfortunately, he played much of the second half with a banged up ankle, which kept him out of the Georgia State game. Meyers was able to return against Marshall, but he only played 33 snaps against the Thundering Herd, and Doeren said he was probably only 85% last Saturday. He enters today’s game at full strength.

Redshirt Freshman Wide Receiver Thayer Thomas stepped in and started for Meyers against Georgia State, and had a breakout performance of 9 receptions for 114 yards and a touchdown. Thomas was off to a hot start against Marshall, picking up 2 receptions in his first 6 plays, but had to leave the game after a huge blow that put him in the concussion protocol. Doeren said that Thomas is cleared to play today, and that he’s doing great.

Redshirt Sophomore Wide Receiver CJ Riley had 4 receptions in each of the 1st two games, and was on pace to do it again against Marshall, but he was crushed while returning a kickoff, which also knocked him out of the game, placing him in the concussion protocol. Doeren also said that Riley has been cleared to play today, and that he’s doing great.

Redshirt Sophomore Tight End Cary Angeline had to sit out the 1st two games of the season due to transfer rules, but started last weeks game versus Marshall, playing 38 snaps. Angeline instantly impacted the run game with his blocking ability, and even impacted the receiving game without picking up a single reception, seeing double-teams on numerous occasions. Don’t expect many more games in Angeline’s future with 0 receptions. He is a game-changer.

Junior Wide Receiver Kelvin Harmon has been healthy and eligible in all three games thus far, and leads the ACC in receiving yards per game (104 yards), and ranks 2nd in receptions per game (6 receptions).

The Cavaliers have had success stopping the passing game thus far in 2018, but they haven’t faced a quarterback as talented as Ryan Finley, and they haven’t faced a receiving corps like NC State’s. With everyone healthy and eligible, it could be a long day for the UVA secondary.