Dave Doeren pleased with start of preseason camp
By NC State football coach Dave Doeren’s count, there are around 40 newcomers, when including walk-ons, on this year’s team. Wednesday’s start of preseason camp represented a first evaluation for many of them, and also welcomed the return of some injured players who missed time last year or were out for the spring.
The latter group included super senior defensive lineman Savion Jackson, who is expected to team with fifth-year redshirt junior C.J. Clark and fourth-year junior Davin Vann on what Doeren termed could be a “stout front,” especially when including the reserves.
“Brandon Cleveland has gotten a lot better,” Doeren said, referring to the sophomore reserve nose tackle. “… [Redshirt sophomore] Travali Price was probably one of our better performers in the spring. I like our front and like our rotation.”
Also back from the injured list for the NC State defense were super senior corner Teshaun Smith and fifth-year redshirt junior nickel Cecil Powell.
“It’s been a long time for both of them to feel good,” Doeren noted. “They both feel good. So let’s keep them that way. They are two guys who can help us win games. I’m hoping that we have them in the rotation.”
In the newcomer category, none stand out more than expected starting quarterback Brennan Armstrong, a super senior and transfer from Virginia, and 25-year old receiver Bradley Rozner, who arrived a week ago after entering the portal over the summer following a successful season at Rice.
Doeren credited Armstrong with being an added coach on the field who provides invaluable experience and knowledge for a unit installing a new offense under coordinator Robert Anae. Doeren added that the gains on offense from the start of spring to the beginning of preseason camp were noticeable.
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Rozner’s late addition was out of a desire to fill a need.
“We’ve been looking for a taller receiver since Devin [Carter] decided to leave the team. … We got a little bit shorter after last season and wanted to increase the height of the unit,” Doeren explained. “Bradley (listed at 6-foot-5) went through a lot of injuries at Rice. Then had a really good season last year and showed that he can run by people and jump up and make some plays.
“He’s already graduated and has his master’s. He’s a guy that’s very mature for that room as well. It’s nice to add a little bit of age in there because we are pretty young in that room.”
Over the next week, Doeren is hoping to learn more about those newcomers and returning injured players, plus more about the 2023 rendition of NC State football. That includes verifying that the improved speed documented in the offseason testing results will translate to game action.
“We are looking for more explosive plays offensively, and if you’re fast, we should see that,” Doeren said.
