2023 N.C. State Football Season Preview

N.C. State's football team is expected to be a strong contender in the ACC this season with the arrival of quarterback Brennan Armstrong and offensive coordinator Robert Anae. The team also has key players in the backfield and secondary.

Dave Doeren's Wolfpack team is expected to be a formidable force in the ACC once again. With a successful season under their belt, winning eight games and defeating rival North Carolina, and the addition of quarterback Brennan Armstrong from the transfer portal, Raleigh is set to be a challenging place for opponents to play.

Armstrong joins N.C. State from the Virginia Cavaliers, a familiar opponent. After the departure of former Wolfpack starter Devin Leary, Doeren needed to find a replacement. Additionally, N.C. State was in search of a new offensive coordinator following Tim Beck's departure to Coastal Carolina. Ultimately, Doeren chose former Syracuse offensive coordinator Robert Anae to take over play-calling duties for the Wolfpack. Anae previously worked with Virginia head coach Bronco Mendenhall to develop an explosive offense for the Cavaliers. Instead of relying on the young quarterbacks already on the roster, Doeren turned to Armstrong, who was the centerpiece of that explosive Cavalier offense.

Armstrong had a challenging season during his last year with Virginia, with a career-low 54.7 completion rate and a career-high 12 interceptions. The Cavaliers struggled to win games, but Doeren and Anae are hopeful that Armstrong can regain his form in 2021. In his best season, Armstrong threw for 4,449 yards and 31 touchdowns, while also contributing 251 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on the ground.

Leading the Wolfpack backfield is senior Jordan Houston. Last season, the Waldorf, Md., native ranked 10th in the ACC in rushing yards per game, accumulating a total of 544 yards throughout the year.

In the receiving corps, Keyon Lesane is expected to be the top target for Doeren's team this season. The senior was the second-leading receiver for the Wolfpack last year, catching 31 passes for 342 yards. The team also added impact receiver Bradley Rozner from Rice through the transfer portal. Rozner was the leading receiver for the Owls in the previous season, tallying 876 yards and ten touchdowns. Despite the move to a stronger conference, Rozner could become a significant target for Armstrong if he can maintain his production.

Defensively, the Wolfpack's strength lies in their secondary. Aydan White, who was named to the preseason All-ACC team, is a standout player in the defensive backfield. Last season, the junior showcased his skills as one of the top corners in the country, playing the most coverage snaps without allowing a single touchdown. White will be responsible for shutting down opposing teams' best wide receivers, and he has proven himself capable of the task with his exceptional play.