Dave Doeren discusses practice standouts, previews spring game

NC State hosted its final press conference before the 2023 spring game Thursday morning, and head coach Dave Doeren spent that time discussing Saturday’s event and the strides some players have made over the past 13 practice days. 

Spring practice is a unique opportunity for the program’s newcomers to stand out after going through winter conditioning. This is their first time to showcase their skills on a college football practice field, and Doeren acknowledged that a few have made some impressive progress. 

Dave Doeren explains spring game format

The Wolfpack will play a full four-quarter game Saturday, kicking off at 1 p.m., with the second half on a running clock. Full contact will be allowed on everyone but the quarterbacks. 

Rain will likely drench Carter-Finley Stadium by the time Saturday afternoon rolls around, but Doeren explained how that could be helpful when evaluating the team. 

“In the fall, we get some crazy hurricane weather every now and then, and, to go out there and see how we handle the conditions, and I know it’s not great maybe for fans and things like that, but, for a football team, that’s not a bad thing to be able to go out and play in the rain a little bit,”  Doeren said.

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Second-year players took a step forward this year

Doeren was very complimentary of Brandon Cleveland’s work ethic over the past couple of months after the defensive lineman grew into an expanded role over the course of the 2022 season. 

“Brandon Cleveland has definitely made a jump,” Doeren said. “He was really out of shape last year when we started fall camp and had to play himself into being able to play, and then injuries allowed him the opportunity. He did a great job, and he took that lesson to heart, had a good offseason [and] has had [a] really good 13 days out here with us.”

After establishing a role in the defensive line rotation, Cleveland recorded 7 tackles and played in 6 games. 

Running back Michael Allen, who carried the ball 53 times for 268 yards as a freshman, spent part of spring practice injured and returned to the field at full speed this week. Wide receiver Terrell Timmons Jr. also missed some time, but he made an impressive catch during the team’s most recent scrimmage, Doeren said. Timmons caught 3 passes, including 1 touchdown, while playing in 9 games last year. 

Doeren also mentioned that linebacker Torren Wright took a step forward during practice. 

“These guys are still really young,” Doeren said. “They’re still within 12 months of when they moved here, and there’s a lot of game in front of them.”

The freshman class continues to impress early 

Buzz around freshman inside receivers Juice Vereen and Kevin Concepcion has been positive throughout spring practice. Doeren confirmed that both players played well early but continue to go through typical first year growing pains. 

“Both of them [were] really productive early in spring camp, and then both of them kind of hit the wall and missed a week or so with nagging things, and now they’re both back out there playing again,” Doeren said. 

“So it’s good to see them rebound, but the ability to maintain at this level for a period of time is something that is challenging, so it’s normal for a young guy like them, but they’ve shown a lot of life there.”

The Wolfpack head coach also shouted out running back Kendrick Raphael as “probably” the most consistent of the freshman. Darion Rivers, Obadiah Obasuyi and Rico Jackson are all getting lots of early experience during practice. 

“To get them reps and reps and reps, it’s exciting because it’s hard to coach 6-6 [and] to have three guys that are that long,” Doeren said. 

Defensively, Brandon Cisse made a great early impression with the staff.

“He has really emerged as a guy that can handle it and play consistent,” Doeren said.

Doeren also complemented the play of freshman linebacker Kamal Bonner.

Other quick notes from Dave Doeren’s press conference:

• Based on Doeren’s comments, it sounds like the offensive line has stayed mostly healthy during the spring, which helps as the group looks to build chemistry and continuity.

• The staff views both Devan Boykin and Jakeen Harris as returning starters due to their abundance of experience in the Wolfpack secondary. Doeren also pointed out that Rakeim Ashford and Robert Kennedy III have also played plenty of snaps in their respective careers as well.

• After rehabbing an injury for two years, defensive back Cecil Powell returned to the practice field and is competing in a non-contact role.

• Caden Fordham continues to impress the staff at linebacker. Jayland Parker has also “gotten a lot better.”

• Doeren said Red Hibbler plays hard and has a lot of “wiggle” but needs to work on getting into better shape.