Ryan Finley’s Legacy at NC State

NC State Quarterback Ryan Finley is one of the best to play the position in school history.

It’s honestly not up for debate.

He’s the most accurate quarterback in school history. He ranks 2nd in career interception avoidance. He ranks 2nd in career passing efficiency rating.

Career Completion Percentage

1. Ryan Finley, 2016-18 – 64.5%
2. Philip Rivers, 2000-03 – 63.6%
3. Mike Glennon, 2009-12 – 60.4%
4. Terry Jordan, 1989-92 – 60.1%
5. Jacoby Brissett, 2014-15 – 59.9%

Career Interception Avoidance

1. Jacoby Brissett 2014-15 – 1.44%
2. Ryan Finley 2016-18 – 1.83%
3. Philip Rivers 2000-03 – 1.99%
4. Russell Wilson 2008-10 – 2.20%
5. Mike Glennon 2009-12 – 2.90%

Career Passing Efficiency Rating

1. Philip Rivers, 2000-03 – 144.2
2. Ryan Finley, 2016-18 – 140.0
3. Russell Wilson, 2008-10 – 135.5
4. Jacoby Brissett, 2014-15 – 133.4
5. Dave Buckey, 1972-74 – 133.1

Though he only played 3 seasons, he finished his career with most 300-yard games, the 2nd most passing yards, and the 4th most touchdown passes.

300-Yard Passing Games

1. Ryan Finley, 2016-18 – 18
1. Philip Rivers, 2000-03 – 18
3. Russell Wilson, 2008-10 – 12
4. Mike Glennon, 2009-12 – 8
5. Jamie Barnette, 1996-99 – 5

Career Passing Yards

1. Philip Rivers, 2000-03 – 13,484
2. Ryan Finley, 2016-18 – 10,501
3. Jamie Barnette, 1996-99 – 9,461
4. Russell Wilson, 2008-10 – 8,545
5. Mike Glennon, 2009-12 – 7,411

Career Passing Touchdowns

1. Philip Rivers, 2000-03 – 95
2. Russell Wilson, 2008-10 – 76
3. Mike Glennon, 2009-12 – 63
4. Ryan Finley, 2016-18 – 60
5. Jamie Barnette, 1996-99 – 59

Finley is one of only 2 quarterbacks to lead their team to back-to-back 9 win seasons, joining Dave Buckey (1973-74).

Each year he was in Raleigh, he improved in passing yards, completion percentage, and passing efficiency.

2016: 3,059/60.4%/135.2
2017: 3,514/65.1%/136.0
2018: 3,928/67.4%/148.0

Finley’s Senior campaign was one of the best statistical seasons at NC State, ranking 3rd in passing yards, 2nd in completion percentage, 2nd in passing efficiency, 2nd in 300 yard games, and 3rd in completions.

He earned 1st Team All-ACC honors this year, becoming 1 of only 7 Wolfpack signal callers to take home the accolade.

2018 – Ryan Finley
2008 – Russell Wilson
2003 – Philip Rivers
1984-85 – Erik Kramer
1975 – Dave Buckey
1963 – Jim Rossi
1960-61 – Roman Gabriel

Stats are nice, but if they don’t lead to wins, they aren’t nearly as pretty. Finley ranks 2nd in school history in nearly every statistical category, and that is complimented by his winning percentage. If you look at the names that are continually cited as the best to play quarterback at NC State, Finley has the 2nd best winning percentage.

Winning Percentage

Philip Rivers – 66.7%
Ryan Finley – 64.1%
Mike Glennon – 57.7%
Jacoby Brissett – 57.7%
Russell Wilson – 52.8%

If you compare his winning percentage against ACC opponents, it ranks 1st among that crew.

ACC Winning Percentage

Ryan Finley – 58.3%
Philip Rivers – 53.1%
Mike Glennon – 50%
Russell Wilson – 45.8%
Jacoby Brissett – 37.5%

Not only is Finley one of the best quarterbacks in NC State history, but he’s also one of the most productive in ACC history, ranking 3rd in career passing yards, 4th in career passing yards per game, 5th in career total offense, and 1st in 300-yard games.

ACC Career Passing Yards

1. Philip Rivers, NC State, 2000-03 – 13,484
2. Tajh Boyd, Clemson, 2010-13 – 11,904
3. Ryan Finley, NC State, 2016-18 – 10,501
4. Deshaun Watson, Clemson, 2014-16 – 10,163
5. Thaddeus Lewis, Duke, 2006-09 – 10,065

ACC Career Passing Yards Per Game

1. Jameis Winston, Florida State, 2013-14 – 295.0
2. Philip Rivers, NC State, 2000-03 – 275.2
3. Chris Weinke, Florida State, 1997-00 – 273.3
4. Ryan Finley, NC State, 2016-18 – 269.3
5. Deshaun Watson, Clemson, 2014-16 – 267.5

ACC Career Total Offense

1. Philip Rivers, NC State, 2000-03 – 13,582
2. Lamar Jackson, Louisville, 2015-17 – 13,175
3. Tajh Boyd, Clemson, 2010-13 – 13,069
4. Deshaun Watson, Clemson, 2014-16 – 12,097
5. Ryan Finley, NC State, 2016-18 – 10,828

If you were to list who the best quarterbacks in NC State history, the list always begins with Philip Rivers, as it should, but Ryan Finley’s legacy isn’t far behind.