NC State football post-spring analysis: Offensive line

Now that spring practices are completed and the recent NCAA transfer portal window has closed, this is a good time to reevaluate where the NC State football position groups stand in the aftermath. TheWolfpacker.com continues with the offensive line group.

NC State football rundown: Offensive line

NC State lost a pair of All-ACC offensive linemen in center Grant Gibson and guard Chandler Zavala, the latter a fourth-round NFL Draft pick for the Carolina Panthers. Also gone was valuable swing lineman Bryson Speas, who started a good chunk of games across the line, mainly at tackle, over the past few seasons.

To help alleviate the losses, NC State added Oregon grad transfer Dawson Jaramillo, who like Speas profile as a versatile swing lineman, but the primary hope is that returning players like fifth-year redshirt junior right tackle Timothy McKay, redshirt junior left tackle Anthony Belton and fifth-year redshirt junior center/guard Dylan McMahon can elevate their games to another level.

The unit also has a new position coach as Garett Tujague replaced John Garrison, who is now at Ole Miss.

Post-spring positives

Jaramillo appears to have been a good addition to the Wolfpack offensive line. He has showcased that versatility that by playing center for an injured McMahon in the spring game.

“He’s a really versatile guy,” NC State football coach Dave Doeren noted. “I’m really glad he’s here. He’s played all five spots this spring on the o-line. As you guys know, Bryson Speas was kind of that for us in the past. So to have someone that can play multiple positions at his age is really valuable for our offense.”

Jaramillo increases the odds that NC State will be able to get its five best offensive linemen on the field.

Post spring concerns

Some key potential pieces to the offensive line either did not participate in the scrimmage or missed spring drills all together. As noted, McMahon was out of the spring game. Furthermore, super senior Derrick Eason, a potential leading contender to start at guard, missed all of the spring.

The absence of Eason did give an opportunity for a few younger players like fourth-year redshirt sophomore Anthony Carter Jr. and redshirt sophomore Lyndon Cooper, both of whom could figure prominently into the mix into the competition to start along the interior of the offensive line.

Depth at offensive tackle also remains a concern. Jaramillo could be an option if either Belton or McKay were to be forced to miss time, but there’s not a lot of proven experience on the NC State football roster otherwise.

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