The Wolfpacker War Room: NC State football camp intel

What’s going on with the NC State football team with about two weeks left till the season opener at Connecticut (7:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network on Thursday, Aug. 31)? Here is some of the latest chatter, broken down by position.

Quarterback: Nothing much new to report here. Super senior and starter Brennan Armstrong has impressed both observers and his fellow NC State teammates with his leadership during the install of the offense. There also seems to be a feeling that Armstrong is relishing his fresh start after a tough season at Virginia a season ago.

This appears to be a situation where the timing of the match is working well, but how that translates to live game action remains to be seen.

Running back: The growing expectation is that the Pack is, unsurprisingly, approaching the year with a planned duo of super senior Jordan Houston and sophomore Michael Allen, which is not surprising. What may surprise is how the running backs will be used in the offense. Houston and Allen each have spoken openly about being used in more diverse route concepts.

Both Allen and Houston are above-average athletes for running backs, thus the notion that new NC State offensive coordinator Robert Anae is looking for ways to get the in space.

Wide receiver/tight end: The vibe around true freshman Kevin “KC” Concepcion is not without merit. There is a genuine buzz surrounding the Pack rookie that has been rare among newcomers in the NC State football coach Dave Doeren era, but word of caution to the wind is that excitement does not always translate to the fall.

Former Pack safety Tanner Ingle had similar types of vibes in his debut preseason camp only to go through clear growing pains in the fall of 2018. Of course, over time Ingle emerged as one of the best at his position in the ACC and is now trying to make a NFL roster.

Concepcion’s fellow classmate Javonte “Juice” Vereen is another likely to have opportunities.

Elsewhere, the vibes have been mixed on the veteran wideouts, with Thursday’s scrimmage proving to be important who is going to be in Anae’s circle of trust.

Offensive line: Redshirt sophomore Lyndon Cooper went to social media about a leg injury, but multiple sources have expressed they do not anticipate that Cooper is looking at a long-term absence.

Defensive line: The unit on the NC State football team that may have sources most excited is the defensive front. Doeren mentioned freshman Isaiah Shirley during his Wednesday media availability. Sources have indicated Shirley has impressed, and in the past he may be in position to grab a few snaps.

However, NC State is so deep, especially on the edge, that Shirley will be allowed to develop at his own pace. Furthermore, sophomore Brandon Cleveland has impressed with his move to nose tackle to provide the necessary depth in the middle.

Linebacker: A clear top four has emerged since the spring with anticipated starters super seniors Payton Wilson and Jaylon Scott and fourth-year junior Devon Betty plus redshirt sophomore Caden Fordham. Scott in particular sounds like he is taking advantage of the opportunity to be a full-time starter.

Doeren singled out Kamal Bonner as one of the more impressive younger players in camp, and that’s building off a strong spring in which some sources speculated that Bonner may have been the best of the remaining linebackers.

Defensive back: The depth at corner appears excellent, but that may also prove to be the case at safety. Junior college transfer Bishop Fitzgerald, who arrived over the summer, has been a fast riser during camp, per sources, and is in position to get into the rotation if not even compete for a starting job. Fitzgerald’s living up to his prep clippings (rated No. 1 junior college safety prospect) now has the Pack five-deep at the two safety spots.

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