NC State’s Offensive Line was Encouraging & Discouraging in Their 2025 Season Opener

NC State defeated ECU 24–17 last Thursday night in their 2025 season opener at Carter-Finley Stadium. The
Wolfpack’s blocking was both extremely encouraging and extremely discouraging at the same time.

NC State’s Pass-Blocking grade was 85.6 according to PFF, their best in a single game since Week 3 of last season against Louisiana Tech. Sophomore Quarterback CJ Bailey wasn’t sacked in the contest. The Wolfpack Offensive Line allowed only one QB hit and three QB hurries.

Redshirt Senior Left Guard Anthony Carter Jr. posted a pass-blocking grade of 87.2, the highest on the team. His grade in 2024 was 73.2. True Freshman Spike Sowells graded at 82.2. Redshirt Senior Center Jalen Grant earned an 80.7, while Redshirt Junior Left Tackle Jacarrius Peak came in at 80.1.

That’s encouraging.

On the other hand, NC State’s Run-Blocking grade was an abysmal 57.1, their worst since Week 6 against Wake Forest last season. As a team, the Wolfpack averaged only 2.9 yards per carry. Redshirt Sophomore Hollywood Smothers rushed for 77 yards on 22 carries (3.5 yards per carry). Last season, Smothers averaged 6.4 yards per carry, which ranks sixth in NC State history for a single season.

Not a single member of the Wolfpack’s offensive line posted a strong run-blocking grade against the Pirates:

Redshirt Junior Left Tackle Jacarrius Peak — 62.2
True Freshman Spike Sowells (C/G) — 58.8
Redshirt Sophomore Right Tackle Teague Anderson — 58.2
Redshirt Senior Left Guard Anthony Carter Jr. — 56.6
Redshirt Sophomore Right Guard Kamen Smith — 55.5
Redshirt Senior Center Jalen Grant — 53.7

That’s discouraging.