2016 #PackCamp: Opening Day
8/1/2016 12:54:00 PM | Football
RALEIGH, N.C. - NC State football opened its 2016 #PackCamp on Monday morning, as the Wolfpack took to the practice field for the first time.
Transcript of head coach Dave Doeren's postpractice comments on Monday:
On Day 1:
I expected us to have the excitement and energy and we did. The grip on the offense is a lot better than it was in the spring. It was nice having all those pieces back that we were missing. To have Matthew Dayes, Reggie Gallaspy II back out there at running back, Jaylen Samuels at tight end. Getting Joe Scelfo out there at center and seeing Tony Adams next to him … it was good. There were a lot of pieces that we didn't have in the spring that we were able to see today.
Can't get too excited because we aren't hitting yet, but it was a good first day.
On the Quarterbacks:
It's going to be a good competition. So far, they know what's going on, but we're not blitzing yet on defense. I thought they threw the ball around nicely today and had good command on what he was asking them to do.
We have two guys who have all the skills that you want and another guy, Jakobi Meyers, who's coming off an ankle (injury), and he's electric. We've just got to get him healthy so he can join the competition. Â
On QB Jalan McClendon: Â
He's been through the process. He redshirted and took his time learning the system and maturing. He was Jacoby's backup for two years and he's taken game reps. He's waited his turn and he was in command all summer with the guys.  He took charge in his opportunities and he can throw the football as well as anybody I've seen. Now it's just getting him in the situations enough and seeing how he's going to handle adversity.
Â
On QB Ryan Finley:
This was the first day I've seen him play football live. He's got a good touch on the ball. He's got good energy. He definitely has command of what he's doing which brings confidence to the guys around him. I haven't seen him run a whole lot yet, but he threw the ball well on the move. He has good accuracy but we knew that when we recruited him.
On when he will name a starter:
I don't know. It's up to them.  If one of them emerges and takes over it's going to be easy. If it doesn't happen, it could go all the way to the game. I didn't make a decision in the spring for a reason. There are a lot of situations in 29 practices that they will go through, so we'll see how they handle it.
On new OC Eli Drinkwitz: Â
I'm excited about him and I'm excited about all my coaches. I expect all nine of my coaches to coach the best they've ever coached. He brings a lot of energy to the table and he's excited about what they're doing. I think they have a good chemistry on the offensive staff.
We went fast a little bit here and there and got a lot of plays in in a short period of time.
On yellow jersey worn by RB Matt Dayes: Â
It's just a precaution. We don't want to take any shots on him that we don't need to. Green means don't touch people and yellow is just a caution. He's still going to be in there in contact situations but we want people to stay away from his feet.
On Dayes' claim that he's not coming off the field this season and whether he, Jaylen Samuels and Nyheim Hines will be in for every snap:
[Laughs] In a perfect world they'd be out there every snap, but when you're going fast like we are you have to be realistic and there are going to be times in a long drive when they're going to get tired. We'll play them as much as we can play them unless another guy emerges who deserves some of those reps.
On the wide receiver unit:
Bra'Lon Cherry is a guy we can count on. Stephen Louis was our productive guy in the spring coming back and Nyheim Hines is playing in the slot with Maurice Trowell playing behind him, so we like the depth that we have there. The biggest thing is going to be getting some experience from the younger guys.
Â
NC State will return to the practice field tomorrow morning, practicing in helmets only for the second straight day before half-pads on Wednesday.
Transcript of head coach Dave Doeren's postpractice comments on Monday:
On Day 1:
I expected us to have the excitement and energy and we did. The grip on the offense is a lot better than it was in the spring. It was nice having all those pieces back that we were missing. To have Matthew Dayes, Reggie Gallaspy II back out there at running back, Jaylen Samuels at tight end. Getting Joe Scelfo out there at center and seeing Tony Adams next to him … it was good. There were a lot of pieces that we didn't have in the spring that we were able to see today.
Can't get too excited because we aren't hitting yet, but it was a good first day.
On the Quarterbacks:
It's going to be a good competition. So far, they know what's going on, but we're not blitzing yet on defense. I thought they threw the ball around nicely today and had good command on what he was asking them to do.
We have two guys who have all the skills that you want and another guy, Jakobi Meyers, who's coming off an ankle (injury), and he's electric. We've just got to get him healthy so he can join the competition. Â
On QB Jalan McClendon: Â
He's been through the process. He redshirted and took his time learning the system and maturing. He was Jacoby's backup for two years and he's taken game reps. He's waited his turn and he was in command all summer with the guys.  He took charge in his opportunities and he can throw the football as well as anybody I've seen. Now it's just getting him in the situations enough and seeing how he's going to handle adversity.
Â
On QB Ryan Finley:
This was the first day I've seen him play football live. He's got a good touch on the ball. He's got good energy. He definitely has command of what he's doing which brings confidence to the guys around him. I haven't seen him run a whole lot yet, but he threw the ball well on the move. He has good accuracy but we knew that when we recruited him.
On when he will name a starter:
I don't know. It's up to them.  If one of them emerges and takes over it's going to be easy. If it doesn't happen, it could go all the way to the game. I didn't make a decision in the spring for a reason. There are a lot of situations in 29 practices that they will go through, so we'll see how they handle it.
On new OC Eli Drinkwitz: Â
I'm excited about him and I'm excited about all my coaches. I expect all nine of my coaches to coach the best they've ever coached. He brings a lot of energy to the table and he's excited about what they're doing. I think they have a good chemistry on the offensive staff.
We went fast a little bit here and there and got a lot of plays in in a short period of time.
On yellow jersey worn by RB Matt Dayes: Â
It's just a precaution. We don't want to take any shots on him that we don't need to. Green means don't touch people and yellow is just a caution. He's still going to be in there in contact situations but we want people to stay away from his feet.
On Dayes' claim that he's not coming off the field this season and whether he, Jaylen Samuels and Nyheim Hines will be in for every snap:
[Laughs] In a perfect world they'd be out there every snap, but when you're going fast like we are you have to be realistic and there are going to be times in a long drive when they're going to get tired. We'll play them as much as we can play them unless another guy emerges who deserves some of those reps.
On the wide receiver unit:
Bra'Lon Cherry is a guy we can count on. Stephen Louis was our productive guy in the spring coming back and Nyheim Hines is playing in the slot with Maurice Trowell playing behind him, so we like the depth that we have there. The biggest thing is going to be getting some experience from the younger guys.
Â
It's football time, y'all. Starting the week at @PackFootball pic.twitter.com/OZo6hntKhB
— Aaron Beard (@aaronbeardap) August 1, 2016
Fall camp at @PackFootball has started. pic.twitter.com/FUVrOwJdIR
— Pack Pride (@PackPride) August 1, 2016
Checking out @NCStateFootball opening practice. Stephen Louis working pic.twitter.com/7sHsPjoeR0
— Mark Armstrong (@ArmstrongABC11) August 1, 2016
#NCSU transfer WB Ryan Finley in accuracy drill #wral pic.twitter.com/sDthO6lIPc
— Marilyn Payne (@marilyn_payne) August 1, 2016
Catch. Tackle.#PackCamp pic.twitter.com/vfOPJSIS4j
— NC State Football (@PackFootball) August 1, 2016
Post practice stretch#PackCamp pic.twitter.com/8T5ijdGceH
— NC State Football (@PackFootball) August 1, 2016
.@StateCoachD meeting with the media after first day of #PackCamp pic.twitter.com/RpkzR86KDz
— Fred Demarest (@Fred_Demarest) August 1, 2016
JaySam and Jalen. First @PackFootball practice is a wrap. pic.twitter.com/9IvaTuuw71
— Cory Smith (@RCorySmith) August 1, 2016
#PackCamp starts TODAY!
— NC State Football (@PackFootball) July 31, 2016
Follow us EVERYWHERE for updates!
?? Snapchat: packfootball
?? @instagram: packfootball@facebook: StatePackFootball
NC State will return to the practice field tomorrow morning, practicing in helmets only for the second straight day before half-pads on Wednesday.
Players Mentioned
OG/C
/ Football
WR
/ Football
RB
/ Football
QB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
QB
/ Football
QB/WR
/ Football
TE/FB
/ Football
OL
/ Football
WR
/ FootballCoach Doeren Weekly Press Conference (Sept. 22)
Monday, September 22
Coach Doeren Weekly Press Conference (Sept. 15)
Monday, September 15
Coach Doeren Weekly Press Conference (Sept. 8)
Monday, September 08
FB Players Postgame Presser vs Virginia
Saturday, September 06