NC State Newsstand: Pack football checks in at No. 26 in The Athletic’s rankings
Another day, another top-30 expectation from a national outlet for NC State. The Wolfpack is holding itself to a high standard this fall, but now, The Athletic has the Pack as one of the top teams in the country this preseason.
In The Athletic’s preseason ranking of all 134 FBS teams, NC State checked in at No. 26. It finished the 2023 season at No. 23 on Chris Vannini’s list and it has room to grow this season.
“NC State is another program that deserves more respect, winning at least eight games in six of the last seven seasons (although never more than nine wins),” Vannini wrote. “With talented transfer quarterback Grayson McCall from Coastal Carolina, don’t turn your back on the Wolfpack.”
The Wolfpack is the preseason No. 24 team in the Associated Press’ poll, while ESPN slotted NC State at No. 20 in its preseason power rankings this week. The Pack’s offense, paced by McCall and Duke transfer Jordan Waters has those outside the program excited for what the team presents this fall.
Add in Ohio State transfer wideout Noah Rogers and Wake Forest transfer route runner Wesley Grimes, and well, NC State has a high-powered attack. That’s not including sophomore star Kevin “KC” Concepcion, who is back to build off his freshman All-America campaign from a year ago.
Top 10
- 1
Elko pokes at Kiffin
A&M coach jokes over kick times
- 2
Dan Lanning
Oregon coach getting NFL buzz
- 3Trending
UK upsets Duke
Mark Pope leads Kentucky to first Champions Classic win since 2019
- 4Hot
5-star flip
Ole Miss flips Alabama WR commit Caleb Cunningham
- 5
Second CFP Top 25
Newest CFP rankings are out
But before NC State can set its sights on the ACC Championship and the College Football Playoff at the end of the season, the Wolfpack has to handle its business in the early stage of the season. That begins with Western Carolina on Aug. 29 at Carter-Finley Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. on ACC Network.
Tweets of the day
NC State cornerback commit Gerritt Kemp raved about the Wolfpack after flipping from Duke.
Will Gunnar Rivers, Philip’s son, be the next great NC State quarterback?
Check out this behind the scenes look of the Pack staying loose in the meeting room.
Quote of the day
Wolfpack senior defensive end Red Hibbler is the team’s pass-rush specialist. He has embraced that role and took off with it on third downs.
“I just love sacking the quarterback,” Hibbler said. “Just seeing the fans how excited they be when I get the sack, that’s a true feeling. It’s unexplainable.”
Today’s top headlines
NC State DE Red Hibbler wants to become an every-down pass rusher
The Wolfpacker 3-2-1: NC State official visit intel, flip notes, new OL to watch
Hollywood Smothers embraced his chance to come home
Nose tackle depth key for NC State this fall
