The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1000643
54 ■ THE WOLFPACKER QUARTERBACKS BY JACEY ZEMBAL N C State quarterback Ryan Finley faced a difficult decision whether to come back for his sixth year of college or not, but he ultimately decided to return to Raleigh with a well thought out conclusion. Finley earned his bachelor's degree at Boise State after three years, and is aiming to finish his second master's degree at NC State. On the field, he has already left his mark on numerous pass- ing categories after two seasons at NC State. While the NFL Draft is always fluid, the odds that he'll improve his value with another year of college was a strong consideration. Another was leading his Wolfpack teammates to some unfinished goals. "Obviously, he needs to get better and make his game better," offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Eli Drinkwitz said. "He's more focused on making this a team-oriented season and it's not about his accolades. "It's about him doing his job better, so that our team could be better." Drinkwitz was Finley's offen- sive coordinator at Boise State his final year there, but was also the school's tight ends coach in 2014 so this will be their fifth season together. The way his star pupil handled his NFL Draft decision didn't surprise the coach much. "Ryan's always been very ce- rebral and always been very intelligent," Drinkwitz said. "He has always looked at things in a very holistic approach. I wasn't sur- prised really by anything that occurred. "I knew he would do what was best for him and his family, and what was best for our football team. What I hope everyone has seen since Ryan has been here is he's constantly making sure NC State comes first." Finley enters his final season with the Wolfpack ranked fifth in school history in career passing yards (6,577), completions (555), passing attempts (881) and total offense (6,865). He also ranks seventh with 35 career touchdown passes. Finley, who has played in 26 career games for the Pack, broke out last year while leading NC State to a 9-4 mark and a win over Ari- zona State in the Sun Bowl. He completed 312 of 479 throws (65.1 percent) for 3,518 yards with 17 touchdowns and six interceptions, and added 69 carries for 194 yards and three scores. Drinkwitz urged Finley to improve as a runner last year, and still sees room for improvement. To that end, adding more strength to EXCITEMENT IN THE AIR The Return Of Ryan Finley Has The Wolfpack Offense Poised For A Big Season Quarterback Roster STARTER No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 15 Ryan Finley 6th-Sr. 6-4 210 Phoenix The graduate transfer from Boise State won the starting job prior to the 2016 season and solidified his hold on the position last year. He connected on 339 passes in a row without an interception, which was the second-longest streak in school and ACC history, trailing only Russell Wilson's NCAA record (379). RESERVE No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 7 Matthew McKay R-Fr. 6-4 200 Raleigh Battling for the backup quarterback job. Threw for 5,932 career yards and 58 touch - downs at Wakefield High, and also rushed for 2,386 yards and 39 scores. WAITING IN THE WINGS No. Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Hometown 13 Devin Leary Fr. 6-2 190 Sicklerville, N.J. The ballyhooed prospect completed 152 of 246 passes for 2,862 yards with 31 touch- downs as a senior at Timber Creek High. Finished his decorated prep career with the most career yards (9,672) and touchdowns (117) in New Jersey prep football history. 14 Woody Cornwell 5th-Sr. 6-2 205 Lake Junaluska, N.C. Walk-on from Tuscola High has yet to attempt a pass for NC State. Was 6-of-13 passing for 55 yards in the 2018 Kay Yow Spring Game. 10 Micah Leon R-Fr. 6-5 218 Boynton Beach, Fla. Walk-on from Boca Raton High, where he passed for 1,085 yards and 11 touchdowns, and rushed for 555 yards and 11 scores his senior year. 12 Jory Perkins R-Fr. 6-0 150 Sanford, N.C. Walk-on from Lee County High, who attempted a pair of passes in the 2018 Kay Yow Spring Game. ■ Preseason Analysis **** Among country's best; *** Among ACC's best; ** Solid or has potential; * Too unproven Starters **** Sixth-year senior Ryan Finley is expected to be one of the top quarterbacks in the country and has a chance to be a high draft pick next spring. For him to achieve such lofty status, he'll need to carry what could be a more pass-influenced offensive attack. The 6-4, 210-pounder was one of five finalists — the only one from the ACC — for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm award last year. Experience *** The sixth-year part to Finley's moniker wasn't a typo. He spent three years at Boise State, where he got his degree, and is now going to be a three-year starter at NC State, where he landed in 2016 as a graduate transfer. He has thrown for 7,223 yards with 38 touchdowns and 19 interceptions in his college career. Depth * NC State will need to develop a quarterback of the future between redshirt freshman Matthew McKay and true freshman Devin Leary. McKay has two different springs under his belt. The Raleigh native passed for 34 yards and rushed for five in the 2018 Kay Yow Spring Game. Leary arrives in Raleigh with glittering prep credentials from Sicklerville (N.J.) Timber Creek High. Overall grade *** Finley has proven he is one of the top quarterbacks in the ACC, and now the challenge is to become one of the best in the country. He passed for more than 300 yards in six contests last year, including a 415-yard and two-score performance in the 35-28 season-opening loss to South Carolina. He also closed the season in impressive fashion, completing 24 of 29 passes for 318 yards with a touchdown while leading NCSU to a 52-31 win over Arizona State in the Sun Bowl. Year-By-Year Passing Stats Year Yards TD INT 2017 3,580 17 6 2016 3,387 20 12 2015 2,740 20 6 2014 2,652 24 6 2013 2,890 14 15 2012 4,031 31 17 2011 3,120 32 12 2010 3,655 28 14 2009 3,275 32 13 2008 2,678 20 14 ■ By The Numbers 1.59 Percent of sixth-year senior Ryan Finley's 881 pass attempts at NC State have been intercepted (14). His career interception avoidance mark ranks second in school history. 5 Contests that Finley rushed for at least 35 yards last year, including a season-high 42 on five carries against Marshall. 17 Age of redshirt freshman quarterback Matthew McKay when he enrolled at NC State for the second semester in January 2017. He was named the Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year last season while redshirting.