NC State opens fall camp with competition abound 

NC State coach Dave Doeren walked underneath the archway of the entrance to the Wolfpack’s practice fields with a grin on his face Wednesday morning. Finally, his team was back together in uniform and his staff could get their hands on the eager group of players for the first time since spring practice concluded. 

The Pack, which has high expectations entering the 2024 season with the 12-team College Football Playoff the ultimate goal, kicked off fall camp less than a month from its season opener against Western Carolina on Aug. 29. 

Even though it is Doeren’s 12th time opening fall camp at the helm of the Wolfpack, he seemed to attack the day with the same energy as if it was his first. He was quick to get the Pack going through its walk-through to open the morning, while making his rounds to the various position groups. 

For Doeren, this month is about getting the team prepared for the season — both on and off the field. The Pack, which added 40 new faces during spring practice and that number swelled by four more after the last transfer portal window, is working to build chemistry as a unit. 

That, Doeren thought, is what wins games in crunch time. 

 “We had a lot of work to do — it wasn’t just football, it was getting to know each other,” Doeren said. “We’ve built the calendar in a certain way where guys have a chance to talk in front of the team and tell their story. … The glue of your roster is what helps you win games when you get in those adverse situations.”

NC State, however, appeared to have some of that chemistry already. Graduate quarterback Grayson McCall flashed his cannon with his new stable of wide receivers, led by sophomore sensation Kevin “KC” Concepcion among others. 

Concepcion, the defending ACC Rookie of the Year, was loose during the Pack’s first practice of the fall, even switching the music during the stretching period on the team iPad. 

While he does not have to worry about getting the ball in his hands this fall — it will most definitely find its way in the Charlotte native’s paws — the rest of the wideout room is in the midst of a competition for snaps. Doeren noted the Pack’s group of young receivers, including redshirt freshman Noah Rogers and freshman Terrell Anderson are all working their way for playing time this fall. 

But one day of practice is not going to show Doeren and his staff much, however. 

“It’s definitely a talented group,” Doeren said. “There’s size and speed. There are guys that can catch the football and run. … We’re excited about what’s there, but we haven’t played football with these guys yet. We’re just out there in helmets.”

Although the wide receiver group has competition, it is not alone. NC State has three players fighting for the starting left guard spot — incumbent Anthony Carter Jr., redshirt junior Matt McCabe and redshirt freshman Kamen Smith. In addition to that battle, a mix of new transfers and veteran returners are battling for snaps at safety. 

Auburn transfer Donovan Kaufman impressed over the summer and appears to have a leg up in that battle, while Bishop Fitzgerald is working to compete for the other spot as Devan Boykin recovers from a knee injury. Akron transfer Kerry Martin Jr. and redshirt freshman Zack Myers are also in the mix for playing time at safety. 

Kaufman and Martin were two of the Wolfpack’s biggest spring transfer portal additions, as well as Ohio State transfer nickelback Ja’Had Carter. Doeren explained why the Wolfpack was eager to add to the secondary on Wednesday.

“Just felt like we were young in some spots,” Doeren said. “Boykin is still out from the bowl game and we wanted to add some guys with experience. We lost some last year, so getting some guys in there that have played snaps, particularly we tried to find guys that played Power Five football that were ready for what was coming with our schedule. Felt like we did a great job.”

While those three position groups are full of battles for snaps, they likely will not be won based on one practice session. Doeren is eager to see how those develop over the next few weeks as the season opener nears. 

“Every day these guys have an opportunity,” Doeren said. “The film is your resume. Go out and show us what you are.”

But for now, the Wolfpack’s head man is focused on his team improving every day in practice — whether the team is in pads or not. Each day is a prime opportunity for his squad to take a step forward and that is what he is focused on early in camp.

“You want to see clean [football],” Doeren said. “No penalties, pre-snap. We’re looking at fundamentals, you are still throwing and catching. The alignments and formations, the timing and the plays, communication. All the things that we can do, that’s what we’re looking for.”