NC State football releases first depth chart. Here’s what to know
N.C. State football fans get a chance to see their favorite team in action in less than a week. While there are plenty of new players to know, the starting lineup won’t look that much different than what they’re used to.
Head coach Dave Doeren shared on Friday his thoughts ahead of the season opener, focusing on individual players, the depth chart selections and the state of the program.
“We look forward to the season; whatever the season is and the obstacles that come,” Doeren said. “You can never predict all the things you have to face, but doing it together — very excited to be in Carter Finley for the opener. Thankful to our fans that have bought in and to have a sold-out season, not Just opener, says a lot. It says a lot. (I’m) really looking forward to that, getting these guys in there and feeling that environment.”
Doeren said he’s proud of the work he saw throughout the spring and summer workouts. The standard was set by players who came before, and he believes the current roster embraces the role of elevating the expectations even higher.
“You want to leave things better than you found them,” Doeren said. “I think as players and as coaches, (there’s) the, ‘Not on my watch,’ type of thing that something’s going to drop off. There’s some internal pride about that the guys have.”
The No. 24-ranked Wolfpack hosts Western Carolina at 7 p.m. Thursday at Carter-Finley Stadium. It will be the first game between the two schools since 2019.
Doeren said the players and staff will take plenty of lessons away from Game 1. They’ll see positive things that they didn’t expect and areas to improve. The 12th-year head coach wants to see how players handle in-game situations, the tempo and the impact of new in-helmet communication devices.
The team will get much more than just a result.
“There’s gonna be a lot of learning, some on the field, some off the field. I think that comes out of Game 1,” Doeren said. “Obviously, we’ve got a lot of big tests in front of us. No matter who we play after the first week, we want to be better and better and better and better as the season goes on.”
N.C. State seeks its first ACC Championship since 1979 and hopes to make its first College Football Playoff appearance under the expanded format.
“I love this football team just like I love the last one. Each kid on that team is important to me, and they work hard for our staff or our school,” Doeren said. “We’re going to get on that grass together and go do the best we can, whatever that looks like. It’s going to be a fun season. These kids are into it, man. It’s a good vibe in that locker room right now.”
Notes from the depth chart
There was plenty to learn about the 2024 team, based solely on the two-deep released Friday. Notably, the Pack features a lot of players with in-game experience, even if they came from other programs.
Doeren said it’s necessary to have a combination of veteran and new players who can be developed. This team has that balance. Its roster features guys whose “blood’s in the bricks” from building the program to a potential conference championship and playoff contender and new ones who can add “juice.”
“I’m excited to start this journey with them,” Doeren said. “While it’s true that we are a team with a lot of new players, the most I’ve ever had, I think it’s 42 right now, it’s also one of the closest groups of guys I’ve been around. … It’s been fun to see them respond and work hard together and embrace what we’re trying to do.”
Despite losing several players to graduation and the transfer portal, much of the depth chart features returners — both at their respective positions and within the program.
The offensive line, for example, features four returning starters (Anthony Belton, Anthony Carter Jr., Timothy McKay and Jacarrius Peak). The only new player on the O-line is center Zeke Correll, who replaces NFL Draft pick Dylan McMahon. Correll missed spring practice because of an injury, but he’s prepared to play.
“When you look at the O-line in particular, I think it’s the oldest offensive line room I’ve had,” Doeren said. “We have seven guys that are grads in there; four of them are starters. They have a lot of college time, a lot of experience under their belt.”
KC Concepcion once again received the nod for inside wide receiver.
One of the biggest surprises from the depth chart came at tight end. Matt McCabe is listed as the starter, despite his typical position being on the offensive line. Doeren said the tight ends, not just McCabe, should provide strength and blocking as he normally would.
The defensive line includes all returners in starting sports. Travali Price is now a starter at right end after moving up one spot on the two-deep.
Everyone in the linebacker corps and corners — Devon Betty, Caden Fordham, Sean Brown, Bishop Fitzgerald and Aydan White — is a returning player. Brown moved from safety during the offseason in an attempt to replace former All-American and NFL Draft pick Payton Wilson at weakside linebacker. Betty moved from middle linebacker to strongside linebacker.
Kanoah Vinesett, in his third year with the program, takes over the starting place kicker role. Caden Noonkester (punting), Collin Smith (kickoffs) and Jalen Coit and Concepcion (punt return) come back to their roles from 2023.
N.C. State’s lineup still includes several new faces. Grayson McCall officially earned the starting quarterback job, while freshman CJ Bailey is listed as his backup.
“Grayson comes in with a wealth of accolades; not only our starter, but a captain, and he’s fun to coach,” Doeren said. “He’s a football guy. He’s got great experience. He’s a winner. He’s got grit running through his veins. He’s tough.”
Duke transfer Jordan Waters earned the starting spot at running back, with Kendrick Raphael and Hollywood Smothers as potential backups. Smothers earned the starting kickoff return role.
“Excited he’s here,” Doeren said of Waters. “Obviously, (he) did damage to us a year ago, so it’s nice to have him on our sideline. He’s a complete player and does a lot of good things with and without the football.”
Former UConn Husky Justin Joly and former Ohio State Buckeye Noah Rogers will start in the receiver corps. Finally, Ja’Had Carter was selected to start at nickel, while DK Kaufman is expected to start at free safety. Devan Boykin will rotate with Kaufman, but he is not fully healthy after being injured in preparation for last year’s bowl game.
No starting long snapper has been named; it will be Aiden Arias or Appalachian State transfer Jake Mann.
NC State team captains
The Wolfpack named Brown, Correll, McCall and Davin Vann as its team captains for 2024. Vann is in his second year as a captain after earning the No. 1 jersey last season for his work ethic and leadership.
Doeren said he’s proud of those four players for earning the most votes in support of their captaincy.
Correll spent a lot of time this spring mentoring other players after getting injured shortly after arriving to campus. His selection spoke to his hard work, consistency and encouragement.
“I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a transfer miss a portion of the year, especially right when they get there, and get that kind of recognition,” he said. “It’s pretty cool.”
Doeren also acknowledged the team includes others who show leadership without the title.
“You got to see that throughout the offseason, with guys leading their position groups,” Doeren said. “There’s so many of them. The guys have really developed that way.”
This story was originally published August 23, 2024 at 12:00 AM with the headline "NC State football releases first depth chart. Here’s what to know."
