NC State Football Position Preview: Wide Receivers
How does a team replace the all-time leader of career receptions in program history? Emeka Emezie has used up the last of his college eligibility and is now turning his focus to the upcoming NFL draft where his professional career will begin. One would think that this leaves the NC State offense with a major hole to fill, but the collective solution to this dilemma may have been on the field all along. The Wolfpack return multiple seasoned veterans to the receiving core that has built a strong relationship and rapport with QB Devin Leary. The mix of them, along with a few players that have either been waiting in the wings or have honed their skills at other schools and have transferred to NC State, shape up nicely after a promising 2021 football campaign.
One would be remiss to not begin this preview by looking at Graduate Student Thayer Thomas. The 6th-year vet is set to begin his final season with the Wolfpack tied for third in program history with 20 career touchdown receptions, seventh in career receptions with 158, and top-15 in career receiving yards. The Heritage High alumni has been a favorite target for not only Leary but also for former NC State star QB Ryan Finley. The former walk-on is known to move all over the field, playing different positions within the receiving roles, in addition to being a throwing threat on trick plays (161 yds, 3 TDs). Thomas is the exemplary athlete Head Coach Dave Doeren wants on his roster, a player that does not entertain the noise coming from outside the locker room, working harder than the person next to him in order to earn playing time, a scholarship, and recognition as one of the best to put on the red and white.
Across the field from Thomas is a name that if you did not recognize last year, you certainly know now. Devin Carter blossomed into one of Devin Leary’s favorite targets over the span of the 2021 season, bringing in 31 catches for 556 yards with six touchdowns; as well as leading the team in average yards per reception (YPR) with 17.9. His most memorable catch probably was the double overtime, go-ahead touchdown grab in the back corner of the end zone to steal a home victory from the then ninth-ranked Clemson Tigers. Following the season, the Clayton High graduate was among those with their future in question. Would he utilize the extra year given by the NCAA due to the pandemic? With what seemed like a bombardment all at once, his name was one of the many that decided to run it back another year with a team that has conference championship hopes. Look for Carter to take over the possessive role that Emeka Emezie donned for multiple years and to also see an uptick in red-zone targets, exploiting his 6'3", 215 lbs frame.
If you are looking for someone to have a breakout year from the receiving core, look no further than Porter Rooks. The highly touted recruit out of Myers Park High in Charlotte has not been asked to do too much over his first two seasons. The true sophomore has seen most of his snaps in the slot, playing reliever for Thomas as Carter and Emezie took the outsides. But OC Tim Beck should look to have Rooks on the field much more often, which may mean moving Thomas into the X role, Carter transitioning into Emezie’s spot at Z, to allow Rooks to take the majority of snaps at the slot. After averaging 23.5 catches through two seasons, do not be surprised if Rooks almost doubles that. Leary has shown in the past that the slot position is one of his favorite targets, especially with shallow crossing routes on shorter third down plays.
Another receiver poised for increased targets is Junior Keyon Lesane. The Lumberton, North Carolina native out of Butler High is another receiver that, while at a small sample size, has shown capabilities of playing multiple positions out wide. While certainly not the biggest player in the receiving core, Lesane has shown flashes of both breakaway speed and capabilities of going up and catching 50/50 balls. Through three years, he has yet to start a game for the Wolfpack, however, that may change this season, especially depending on how fall camp and the beginning of the season play out.
Who is the fastest player on the entire football team? The answer is Anthony Smith. The Huntington, Maryland product has breakaway speed that can contend with the best in not only the conference but also the country. While having yet to reach double-digit catches through two complete seasons, I would not be surprised if by the end of the year Smith is Leary’s favorite deep ball target. His 6'2", 185 lbs slender frame certainly helps him create separation in press coverage; but his abilities to contort his body midair to make tough catches in addition to run-block will truly determine how much of an increase in playing time Smith sees.
As of right now, Julian Gray is probably most known for his contributions to recruiting part of his class after committing to the Wolfpack two years ago. A trend we are beginning to see more of from commits, Gray was very vocal on social media encouraging fellow recruits to follow his path to Raleigh. The RS Freshman out of Hopewell High in Charlotte has three career catches to his name, but that could be bumped up this season. With Thomas likely moving out wide and Rooks most likely starting at the slot position, look for Gray to fill in nicely as the backup to Rooks.
The newest face in the room is Grad Student Darryl Jones. The Princess Anne High graduate from Virginia Beach transferred into the program this offseason from Maryland. A former four-star recruit by ESPN, he appeared in all 42 games his alma mater has played over the past four years, with 16 starts. Brought in to help alleviate the pain of losing Emezie and six-year receiver CJ Riley, this 6'3", 200 lbs receiver will have to earn his minutes through spring and fall camps as one of the many mouths to feed. But as my dark horse for this group, do not be surprised if by the end of the season every NC State fan knows the name, Darryl Jones.
Rounding out the group of scholarship athletes is RS Junior Jasiah Provillon, and RS Freshmen Josh Crabtree, Jakolbe Baldwin, Christopher Scott Jr., and Jalen Coit. Provillon has been with the team since 2018 and even began the 2020 season with two consecutive starts, however, injuries have hindered his ability to remain on the field and earn playing time. Scott Jr. is another player that has had his fair share of injuries, as he missed the entirety of last season due to injury and will not practice this spring recovering from surgery. Baldwin and Coit both have one reception to their name through garbage time, as they wait for their opportunities to shine within the coming years. Crabtree along with walk-ons Michael Fox, Jackson DeSilva, and Dillon Mosley will also need to show patience, continuing to get reps through practice and carving out a role through special teams while there is such a logjam above them.
Projections:
X
Z
SLOT
As mentioned above, there will certainly be a lot of mouths to feed. Which is a good problem for Devin Leary to have, a year after losing one of the best receivers NC State has ever had. While he certainly will miss his favorite go-to target, this could very well open up some different possibilities and playbook options for OC Tim Beck and company. Regardless, the passing game should not skip a beat going into the 2022 campaign.
