Dave Doeren Gives Update on Scrimmage & Fall Standouts After Practice

NC State Head Football Coach Dave Doeren met with the media after practice today. You can watch the video above, or check out the highlights below.

NC State had their first scrimmage with pads in Carter-Finley this past Saturday, and Doeren mentioned that the players you expect to play well did, but went out of his way to say that Redshirt Freshman Wide Receiver Julian Gray had a good day. It was good to see Graduate Safety Cyrus Fagan (Graduate Transfer from FSU last year) out there, who went down with a season ending injury against Mississippi State last year. It was good to see the 3 heralded starting Linebackers on the field (Isaiah Moore, Payton Wilson and Drake Thomas) at the same time.

The team exited the scrimmage unscathed from an injury perspective.

He noted the impact of Graduate Transfer (Maryland) Wide Receiver Daryl Jones has had this Fall. He was out with an injury in the Spring, but has been consistent. He’s a big, long, mature receiver with strong hands, who is also making a difference on Special Teams. Jones has earned a lot of trust from the coaches in camp.

Doeren said that Sophomore Defensive Tackle Davin Vann has been the most consistent playmaker on the Defensive Line in Fall Camp. Worked really hard this offseason in the weight room with Dantonio Burnette, and in the film room as well. He’s playing faster and in great shape. They are playing him on the inside at Tackle and on the outside at End.

Redshirt Freshmen Jordan Poole and Jayland Parker are 2 of the more improved Linebackers, getting in a ton of reps.

Redshirt Freshman Linebacker Caden Fordham has been limited due to an injury, but should be back out there moving forward.

Doeren expressed excitement in the way Graduate Transfer Jack Chambers (Charleston Southern) and Freshman M.J. Morris have been progressing at Quarterback. They are both getting reps with the 2nd team, and are getting valuable reps against a good defense. He wasn’t ready to say which one of them was Devin Leary’s backup yet.