By Mark Bergin, WRAL senior multiplatform producer

If NC State wants to make the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff, the Wolfpack must improve from a good team to a great one.

Head coach Dave Doeren, 52, is entering his 12th season with the Wolfpack. He is 81-58 as NC State’s head coach.

On July 31, a reporter asked Doeren if this year’s team was the most talented he’s had in Raleigh.

“It’s too early to say,” Doeren said. “It’s definitely a good group of guys.

“There’s competitive depth at most of the positions.”

To reach the CFP, NC State would likely need to get to double-digit wins. It’s a feat only accomplished once in program history, in 2002 when Chuck Amato was the head coach.

“In January, when I walked in the team room, there were 40-some new guys, and so, I knew and I told the guys, ‘we’ve got a lot of work to do,’” Doeren said. “And, it wasn’t just football. It was getting to know each other.”

In the past four seasons, NC State has won eight or nine games each year. The Wolfpack finished the season in the College Football Playoff rankings in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, but never higher than No. 18.

The Wolfpack have not won an ACC football title since 1979. They haven’t played for one since the league created the championship game in 2005.

Can QB Grayson McCall’s skills translate from Coastal Carolina to NC State?

Brennan Armstrong is out of collegiate eligibility, and M.J. Morris transferred to Maryland, leaving NC State with a void at quarterback.

Enter Grayson McCall, a four-year starter at Coastal Carolina and a three-time Sun Belt Player of the Year (2020-2022).

“We’re very, very grateful that he’s here,” Doeren said of his new quarterback on July 31. “[I’m] excited for him, impressed by him. He understands the game. He’s a quick learner. He’s a really good teammate.

“[He] goes hard, holds himself to a high standard, has no problem holding guys accountable, and he does it in a good way.

“He’s demanding but not demeaning of people. He’s got touch on the football. His game management skills, his clock management, I mean everything. He’s a vet. He’s a great fit in our program.”

McCall, who completed 69.9% of his passes for a total 10,005 yards with the Chanticleers, is a North Carolina native. He missed the final five games of the 2023 season with a head injury after starting the first seven games.

Coastal was 38-11 while McCall was the starter. He was 5-3 in 2023.

McCall had 88 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in his time with Coastal.

It remains to be seen how McCall’s collegiate experience translates to the ACC.

The other quarterbacks on NC State’s roster – CJ Bailey, Ethan Rhodes, Robert Shockley, Lex Thomas and Cole Wilson – have limited playing experience at the collegiate level.

How will NC State get the ball to KC Concepcion?

KC Concepcion is coming off an impressive freshman season, in which he led the Wolfpack in receptions (71), receiving yards (839) and receiving touchdowns (10). Concepcion also had 41 carries for 320 rushing yards.

Keep an eye on Concepcion’s rapport with McCall.

If opposing defenses take Concepcion away with double teams, look for the Wolfpack to get the ball to transfer wide receiver Noah Rogers (Ohio State) and transfer tight end Justin Joly (UConn).

How will NC State replace LB Payton Wilson?

NC State lost linebacker Payton Wilson to the NFL. Wilson was one of the most heralded defensive players in program history having won the Chuck Bednarik Award in 2023. The award is given each year to the defensive player of the year in college football.

The Steelers selected Wilson in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Defensive end Davin Vann is returning to NC State for his fifth season. He spoke about the influence Wilson and linebacker Drake Thomas had on him.

“I spent so much time with those guys and they’ve helped guide me in the right direction,” Vann said. “So, I’ve learned a lot from them and I think [it’s] time for me to step up.”

Last year, Doeren selected Vann to wear the No. 1 jersey. Each year, Doeren awards the jersey to the player who demonstrates exemplary work ethic, training habits and team leadership. Vann was also a captain last year.

On July 31, Doeren also discussed the play of redshirt linebacker Sean Brown, who had 11 tackles in the 24-17 win on Oct. 28, 2023, against Clemson. Brown was filling in for an injured Wilson.

“He showed us that he can play there in a game, but he’s built for it,” Doeren said of Brown. “He can run. He’s physical. He’s got really good instincts [and] vision. He understands [defensive coordinator Tony] Gibson’s defense and what he wants.

“That position has to have a guy that can really run and erase things, and Sean is built for that.”

Duke transfer at RB

NC State brought in running back Jordan Waters, a transfer from Duke. Waters was among the top running backs in the transfer portal.

Waters had an All-ACC season in his final year at Duke. He had a career year, leading Duke in carries (153), rushing yards (819) and touchdowns (12).

NC State will look to establish Waters and the line of scrimmage. The Wolfpack look to replace offensive lineman Dylan McMahon who was selected in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles.

2024 NC State football schedule

• 7 p.m. ET Aug. 29: Western Carolina @ NC State
• 7:30 p.m. ET Sept. 7: NC State vs. Tennessee at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte
• Noon ET Sept. 14: Louisiana Tech @ NC State
• Sept. 21: NC State @ Clemson
• Sept. 28: Northern Illinois @ NC State
• Oct. 5: Wake Forest @ NC State
• Oct. 12: Syracuse @ NC State
• Oct. 19: NC State @ California
• Nov. 2: Stanford @ NC State
• Nov. 9: Duke @ NC State
• Nov. 21: NC State @ Georgia Tech
• Nov. 30: NC State @ UNC

WRAL Sports investigative reporter Brian Murphy contributed to this story.

Source: wralsportsfan.com