Devin Leary, Drake Thomas make ESPN's top-100 list
ESPN released its annual top-100 college football players list Wednesday morning. Scheduled slightly more than two weeks before NC State’s season opener, the ranking serves as one of the final preseason hype-generators before the Wolfpack takes the field September 3 against East Carolina.
The program made two appearances on ESPN’s list, headlined by a top-20 selection for quarterback Devin Leary. After throwing for 35 touchdowns and only five interceptions last year, the NC State signal caller checked in at No. 19 on the ranking.
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“Coach Dave Doeren describes Leary as the best quarterback in the country based on everything he has seen out of his quarterbacks over his NC State career,” ESPN’s story said. “Last season, Leary threw for 3,433 yards and 35 touchdowns — setting a single-season school touchdown record. His .657 completion percentage ranks No. 3 in school history. Leary was selected as the media choice for preseason ACC Player of the Year.”
In an interview with The Wolfpacker earlier this year, Doeren elaborated on what makes Leary special, specifically in the final minutes of games.
“I’ve never had one that’s as good as he is in that situation, I just haven’t,” Doeren said. “It’s nice to see it. Been around some guys that do it every now and then, but not to the degree that he’s been able to do it.
“To me, that’s what separates him from everybody else out there. He’s really good at the end of the half, and he has been for multiple years. Pretty special.”
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Those abilities and more made Leary a near-lock to be included on ESPN’s list. All-ACC linebacker Drake Thomas also made the ranking at No. 82 coming off of a season where he led the Pack in tackles and interceptions.
“Thomas has been a stalwart on the Wolfpack linebacker unit — one that players believe is the best in the country,” ESPN’s story said. “Headed into his third year as a starter, Thomas led the Wolfpack in tackles last season with 100 (ranking No. 4 in the ACC) and was an All-ACC first-team choice. He’s a big reason why NC State is expected to be one of the best defenses in the league in 2022.”
He returns to the NC State defense alongside fellow All-ACC linebackers Isaiah Moore and Payton Wilson to form one of the best corps in the nation. Each member of the trio has accomplished a statistical feat that few returning college football athletes can boast.
All of the talent in the Wolfpack linebacker room leads to intense competition.
“There’s a competition between us three every time we step into the building every single day,” Thomas said at ACC Media Day earlier this summer. “Whether it’s workouts, practice, or game. It’s a race to the ball. We’re trying to make plays. We push each other to get better.”
