Devin Leary Named NC State’s Starting Quarterback

Head Coach Dave Doeren announced today at his weekly press conference that Redshirt Freshman Quarterback Devin Leary has been named the starter.

“Devin’s ready. I don’t think we forced him into the position before he was ready, which I think for any quarterback is a bad thing. He’s taken full advantage of when he was 3. The things he wasn’t doing well he studied. To his credit, he improved on those things. When he got his opportunities, he was poised. In the last game, he threw 3 touchdowns, and they were all on 4th down, which shows a lot of clutch.

He’s earned this opportunity. I’m excited for him.

He took all the reps with the 1’s during the Bye week. Got a lot of work. Got a lot of opportunity to run it. Trying to make it fit him, so he can play fast. He’s done a nice job. He’s excited about the opportunity.” (GoPack)

It’s been a wild ride in the Quarterback room at NC State in 2019. After the exodus of Ryan Finley to the NFL, the biggest question all offseason for the Wolfpack was who would fill his shoes. Redshirt Sophomore Matt McKay, who has more time in Raleigh than anyone else in the room, earned the starting job at the start of the year, and started the first 5 games. After getting a drive-or-so in each of the first three games, Redshirt Sophomore Bailey Hockman came in after McKay was benched during the FSU game, claiming the job. Hockman started against Syracuse and Boston College, but was eventually benched against the Eagles, and Leary took full advantage of the opportunity, throwing 3 touchdowns in the 2nd half.

Leary an Elite 11 Quarterback in High School, a Top-25o prospect, and the #9 Pro Style Quarterback in the 2018 recruiting class.