NC State head coach Dave Doeren met with the media following the Wolfpack's first day of 2023 fall camp.
NOTE: Click on the video in the player above to watch Doeren’s interview.
On the vibes after the first day of fall camp…
First, it’s always good, as a coach, to get back on the field and be around the players. It’s really fun to see some of these guys. I've got 40 new players this year, when you add up all the scholarship guys and walk-ons, and then we’ve got some guys returning from injury like Savion [Jackson] who’s up next. You get a chance to see who 120 guys really are as opposed to just in the weight room or in the team room. And to get on the field with your staff and watch them coach, it was enjoyable. I had a great time watching practice today and being a part of it. I’m helping some of the guys. It’s fun to be out there, and you can see the gains already offensively from where we started in the spring. The weather was great; as you know, it’s going to get bad at some points, so we’ll take it where we can get it.
On Robert Anae’s chemistry with Brennan Armstrong translating to the rest of the offense…
It’s like having an extra coach. [Armstrong] can get guys in the right spot. He can talk to players from a coach’s point of view because he’s had those conversations with years with Coach Anae. He can get people lined up and answer questions sometimes, maybe off to the side, whenever he sees a receiver confused and be able to help him on a play. His experience is very valuable. One thing, as a coach, you can’t insert into a player is experience. Having a guy who’s played as many games as Brennan, especially in this offense, is very helpful.
On having Jackson healthy going into the season…
That defensive line with Savion, C.J. Clark, and Davin Vann is a pretty stout front right there. When you look at who we’re rotating in, Brandon Cleveland has gotten a lot better. Red Hibbler, Noah Potter, and Travali Price were some of the better performers in the spring. I like the front, I like the rotation, and it’s great to have a seasoned player like Savion back. I know he’s anxious to be back out there and play games.
On the team’s speed…
According to [Dantonio Burnette], we’re definitely as fast as we’ve been or faster, when you look at our timing from our testing week. To put that into words, I think I’ve got to watch film for about a week or so and see. I’m looking for more explosive plays offensively, and that’s one thing that, if you’re a faster offense, you should see. We had a few of them today. Secondary-wise, we definitely saw some guys flying around.
On Cecil Powell returning to the field…
He and Teshaun Smith are two guys who have been through the injury bug. It’s been a long time for both of them to feel good, and they both feel good. Let’s keep them that way. They’re two guys that can help us win games, so hopefully we’ll have them in the rotation.
On Bradley Rozner…
We’ve been looking for a taller receiver since Devin Carter decided to leave the team. To add another guy with length, it’d help us. Obviously, Dacari [Collins] is here as well. We felt like we got a little shorter after last season. We wanted to increase the height of the unit. Bradley went through a lot of injuries at Rice and then had a really good season last year. He showed he could run by people and jump up to make plays. He’s already graduated with his master’s. He’s a guy who’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. It’s good to help Keyon [Lesane] have another seasoned guy in that room and bring a little leadership with him.
