NC State quarterback Daniel Evans releases a pass under pressure from the Wake Forest defense on November 17, 2007.
Mar 18, 2008
Last season started off with a three-way competition for the starting role for the N.C. State quarterback. As the first day spring practice kicked off for the Wolfpack on Tuesday, three quarterbacks were once again battling for the role.
That is, a backup role.
Returning starter Daniel Evans suited up but could not participate as he is currently recovering from off-season shoulder surgery.
At times last year, Evans could be seen walking off the practice field in a shoulder brace, but O’Brien had no comment on whether or not Evans was playing with the injury during last season.
Freshman Mike Glennon was also present at the practice, but not involved in the competition. Glennon, ranked by Scout.com as the fifth-best senior quarterback in the nation, walked around practice in street clothes, talking to coaches and players.
He did not enroll early into school and will have to try to win the starting job in the fall.
Glennon and Evans’ absence left the battle up to holdovers Harrison Beck and Justin Burke and a redshirt freshman named Russell Wilson.
“Everybody’s going to have an opportunity. We’re going to have to rotate guys around and see where we end up,” O’Brien said. “There’s a lot of reps going on out there right now with only three arms throwing.”
Out of the three, the 5-foot-11, 191-pound Wilson looked the best on his repetitions. Beck continued to overthrow receivers. Burke continued to loft up ducks.
But the diminutive Wilson, who Andre Brown joked was “4’11” as he walked by reporters, connected on almost all his throws. The dual-sport athlete, also playing some infield for the baseball team, threw darts that were neither too long or short of the intended target.
“Redshirting, I definitely feel like helped me. I came out here this time, having a chance to play,” Wilson said. “I feel like I’m tons more prepared because I redshirted. Going into the team’s defense everyday, going into the fall and everything like that.”
Besides Evans, three other potential starters were held out of spring practice due to injures. All three - Toney Baker, Anthony Hill and Javon Walker – all suffered season-ending knee injuries last year.
Other notes…
Senior Meares Green is scheduled to be the starting center after having played guard and tackle last year for the Pack. There were understandably some problems with the quarterback/center exchange during some of the team’s scrimmage.
Two former defensive tackles made the move to the O-line this off-season. John Bedics is the starter at left guard and Teddy Larsen is the backup at right guard. Both are so new to it, they’re still wearing jersey numbers in the 90’s.
Junior Willie Young and freshman Kyle Linney, who enrolled early, were almost always in the backfield in the scrimmage.
There are five returning starters on offense, four on defense.
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