The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/337646
66 ■ THE WOLFPACKER FOOTBALL 2014 BY JACEY ZEMBAL T he Wolfpack technically has four starters returning in ju- nior center Quinton Schooley, redshirt junior left guard Joe Thuney, redshirt junior right guard Alex Barr and fifth-year senior right tackle Tyson Chandler. Fifth-year senior guard/ tackle Andy Jomantas is also in the mix. And then there's fifth-year senior left tackle Rob Crisp, a five-star recruit who was rated as the No. 12 prospect in the nation in the class of 2010 by Rivals.com. The 6-7, 300-pound Crisp doesn't count as a returning starter, but the former superstar prep player from Raleigh Athens Drive High has 13 career starts and has played in 36 contests. Crisp opened both the last two seasons in the starting lineup, but he hurt his lower back against Tennessee in the season opener in 2012 and suffered a season-ending concussion after two games last year. "Rob looks good for the limited stuff that we can see him in," of- fensive line coach Mike Uremovich said. "It's exciting for him to finish his career in the way he wants to finish it, and that is to have a great senior season and play in all of our games. "When you can get one position cemented, you can improve at all your other spots." The Crisp injury sent off a chain reaction last season that eventually led to the 6-5, 285-pound Thuney playing left tackle and the insertion of Barr at right guard. Thuney's ability to play every position proved crucial in helping the line come together, and the Wolfpack had some of their best rushing performances down the stretch. "Joe Thuney is going to be a heck of a guard," Uremovich said. "He did a nice job at tackle considering the circumstances. Joe is a good tackle, but he is a very, very good guard. "Having Rob and Joe together on the left side is pretty exciting to me." The 6-4, 301-pound Schooley played every single snap at center last year, after arriving from junior college just prior to fall camp last August. "To come in and make every snap and make every line call and protection call without the advantage of spring ball, is pretty unique and impres- sive," Uremovich said. Chandler, who is listed at 6-7 and 354 pounds, and Barr, who is listed at 6-7 and 322 pounds, have both lost weight since last No- vember. The weight loss will help them in all facets of their play, especially in getting leverage. "Barr played with a lot more confidence last year," Uremovich said. "When you know where you are going and feel more confident, then you can be more physical. "Tyson is really at 335 now, and that is the lowest he has been here. This is a big year for him individually and for our offensive line. He has to have a good year for us to do what we want to do." Uremovich said Schooley and freshman center Tony Adams could also play right guard if needed. Redshirt freshmen tackles Patrick Roane and Tylar Reagan could start off as the backups at left tackle and right tackle, respectively. Jomantas will be this year's Swiss army knife because he can play every position but center. NC State rushed for more than 129 yards in six of its last seven games in 2013, including an ACC team-best of 212 rushing yards on 48 carries against North Carolina. NC State finished the year rushing for 1,952 yards and 14 touchdowns on 519 carries, but missed out on having a running back top 1,000 yards. Junior running back Shadrach Thorn- ton led the Wolfpack with 768 rush- ing yards and four touchdowns on 165 carries. Helping Thornton or whoever emerges at running back to reach 1,000 yards is another team goal, as is cutting down on 36 sacks allowed. NC State has 17 offensive linemen on scholarship this season, though some of the incoming freshman will likely redshirt. Preparing the next generation of offensive lineman while coaching several veterans is part of the juggling job for Uremovich. "You have to coach for the future," Uremovich said. "Your job as the O-line coach is to get your guys ready for the fall, but also to develop guys for the next year and the following year." ■ Rushing Yards Per Game Behind The Wolfpack Line ACC Year YPG Rank 2013 162.7 7 2012 111.1 9 2011 104.8 11 2010 123.3 11 2009 120.9 9 2008 123.2 7 2007 89.2 11 2006 119.7 5 2005 124.4 10 2004 147.8 7 OFFENSIVE LINEMEN EXPERIENCED GROUP The Wolfpack Returns A Nucleus Of Upperclassmen On The Offensive Line Versatile redshirt junior Joe Thuney started 10 games at left tackle, one at right tackle and one at right guard last year, but he is expected to open the 2014 campaign at left guard. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN ■ Preseason Analysis **** Among country's best; *** Among ACC's best; ** Solid or has potential; * Too unproven Starters *** NC State returns four starters and essentially a fifth in fifth-year senior Rob Crisp, who will man left tackle while fellow fifth-year senior Tyson Chandler will handle right tackle. Redshirt junior Joe Thuney, who filled in for the injured Crisp at left tackle last year, will slide over to left guard. Junior center Quinton Schooley played every single snap last year after arriving during the summer from junior college. Redshirt junior right guard Alex Barr moved into the lineup after Crisp's injury and started 10 games. Fresh - man center/guard Tony Adams and fifth-year senior Andy Jomantas, who can play every position on the line but center, are also in the mix. Experience *** Crisp, Chandler and Jomantas are fifth-year seniors, Barr and Thuney are redshirt ju- niors, and Schooley is a junior. Chandler leads the way with 23 career starts, and the pro- jected starting five has 68 starts under their belts. Jack-of-all-trades Jomantas has played in 33 games and started the season opener at right guard against Louisiana Tech last year. Depth ** NC State has a full group of offensive lineman in reserve, but most are inexperienced outside of Jomantas. Redshirt freshmen Patrick Roane and Tyler Reagan could lend depth at left and right tackle, respectively. Adams was able to play with the first string during the spring with Schooley injured. Senior Ali Kassem, who has lost some weight and is a listed at 6-7 and 347 pounds, can play both guard positions. A good group of class of 2014 offensive lineman gives hope for the future. Overall grade *** The Wolfpack are due for a healthy season on the offensive line, and that will be needed for the group to snap the 11-year drought for 1,000-yard rushers at NC State and better protect redshirt junior quarterback Jacoby Brissett. ■ By The Numbers 3.8 Yards per carry last fall for NC State's rushing attack. The Wolfpack tallied 1,952 yards and 14 touchdowns on 386 carries. 17 Touchdowns in 39 trips (43.6 percent) to the red zone. 36 Sacks allowed by NC State on 426 pass- ing attempts last year. 66-68.OLs.indd 66 6/27/14 12:05 PM