Old North Banter
Fansided

NC State Football: Quarterbacks – Upgrade or Downgrade?

By Christian Candeloro

LOUISVILLE, KY - NOVEMBER 17: Matthew McKay #7 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack runs for a first down against the Louisville Cardinals in the fourth quarter of the game at Cardinal Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. The Wolfpack won 52-10. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KY - NOVEMBER 17: Matthew McKay #7 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack runs for a first down against the Louisville Cardinals in the fourth quarter of the game at Cardinal Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. The Wolfpack won 52-10. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
RALEIGH, NC – SEPTEMBER 08: Ryan Finley #15 congratulates teammate Matthew McKay #7 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack after McKay’s fourth quarter touchdown during their game against the Georgia State Panthers at Carter-Finley Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Raleigh, North Carolina. North Carolina Sate won 41-7. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – SEPTEMBER 08: Ryan Finley #15 congratulates teammate Matthew McKay #7 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack after McKay’s fourth quarter touchdown during their game against the Georgia State Panthers at Carter-Finley Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Raleigh, North Carolina. North Carolina Sate won 41-7. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

2019

Starter: Redshirt-sophomore Matt McKay and Bailey Hockman, redshirt-sophomore Devin Leary

Back-up: Loser of above quarterback battle

We won’t know who the starting quarterback of the 2019 team is until the season kicks off on August 31st. Doeren has notoriously been mum about who will start and with three different players vying for the starting spot, it makes it even murkier.

McKay is the only player of the group to see action at N.C. State last season, completing seven of eight passes and rushing for a touchdown. Due to Finley’s durability, McKay only saw garbage time snaps. He’s an explosive athlete at the quarterback position and should give the team an added element to the offense.

Doeren’s offenses have traditionally excelled when utilizing a running quarterback, although the stay strayed away from that style to capitalize on Finley’s excellent arm.

Hockman, a JuCo transfer by way of Florida State, and Leary, a four-star redshirt-freshman bring stiff competition for McKay.

According to Vegas odds, McKay is the odds on favorite to win the job and Jaylan Harrington of the N.C. State Technician confirmed that McKay started camp as the starter.

"The quarterback competition rages on, with nothing changing on day 1 of camp.  Redshirt sophomore Matt McKay ran with the first-string players, redshirt freshman Devin Leary ran with the twos and redshirt sophomore Bailey Hockman played with the threes."

Either way, it’s a massive departure from having a seasoned veteran like Finley.

Home/North Carolina State Wolfpack