HENDERSON: Finley Made The Right Decision
North Carolina State received big news on Saturday when star quarterback Ryan Finley announced that he would be returning to school for his senior season. This decision was huge on multiple levels, and I believe it was the right move for Finley... a move that NC State football will certainly benefit from moving forward.
NC State is awaiting decisions from tailback Nyheim Hines and Will Richardson, who have until January 15th to declare, but Finley's was critical.
It is the quarterback position.
Unless you are an elite team that is loaded at literally every other position, a game-changing signal-caller is required if you hope to win at the highest level. The less of a question mark at that position the better, and while NC State may believe Jalan McClendon, Matt McKay, or Devin Leary could give them a good chance to win in 2018, those three talented players aren't Ryan Finley.
Finley has good measurables, enough athleticism, pinpoint accuracy, and an above-average arm, but what makes him so special is he's a point guard on the gridiron. He runs the show for the Wolfpack. He has complete control of the offense, and is elite in terms of distributing the football, limiting mistakes, and putting the offense in the best position to be successful.
The Wolfpack passer is one of just two FBS quarterbacks in 2017 to attempt 400+ passes, throw for 3500+ yards, and total fewer than seven interceptions. The other? Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield.
Pretty good company for Finley.
Each week during the season I'd watch back the Wolfpack football games, and in doing so I realized how comfortable Finley is in the offensive system. He's on the same page with play-caller Eliah Drinkwitz and has a repertoire with multiple weapons.
Sure, he could have went pro and been the fifth, sixth, seventh... maybe lower, quarterback picked in a loaded draft, or he could bet himself, a lot like how teammate Bradley Chubb did, and return for one more season looking to boost his stock.
Here is one draft analyst's take on Finley's decision.
Finley will be firmly on the NFL's radar in 2018, and the type of year he could have would only improve his draft stock, which is the goal at a position like quarterback where the shelf-life is longer than nearly every other position in football.
If you're really good at quarterback you can play deep into your 30s, so Finley turning 23 in late December shouldn't have played a major role in his decision. Maybe it did, but the potential for a huge, breakout season proved to be the difference.
"I'm looking forward to building on the success we had this season," said Finley in his release through the school. "My goal when I came to NC State was to win an ACC Championship and with so many starters returning on offense next season, I feel that we could achieve that.
"I love Raleigh and the special brotherhood that we have on this team. I will be proud to finish what we've started, earn a master's degree from NC State and play another season in front of the greatest fans in the nation."
NC State must replace nine starters on defense, and while there is optimism that side will continue to be solid, it will help if the offense can pick up the slack. Look for the Wolfpack to now lean on that unit with Finley back for his third year as the starter.
This passing attack could be scary.
An offensive line returns with six or seven linemen who have starting experience, and potentially all five starters from the bowl game pending All-American right tackle Will Richardson's decision.
Wide receiver is stacked as well. The Wolfpack has to replace all-everything tight end Jaylen Samuels, but all three starting wide receivers return, including 1,000-yard receiver Kelvin Harmon, who had the most receptions in 2017 of any wide receiver returning in 2018. Deep threat Steph Louis is back as well, giving Finley his two perimeter wideouts who won all year against one-on-one coverage.
However, the guy happiest about Finley's decision has to be dynamic slot receiver Jakobi Meyers. The surprise of NC State's offense in 2017, Meyers finished eighth in receptions (63), but emerged during conference play when he totaled 46 catches (fourth-most) for 548 yards (sixth-most).
It's been a long time, Rivers-to-Cotchery, since I've seen a quarterback-receiver combo at NC State have the chemistry Finley and Meyers have, particularly on third down. 19 of Meyers' receptions came on third down, and 18 of those grabs resulted in first downs for the Wolfpack.
His 19 third-down catches ranked sixth in the ACC, and his 18 conversion-grabs was tied for 1st.
A lot of those throws on third down are timing routes where Finley and Meyers are on the same page. With Samuels, the Pack's other primary slot option, departing, expect Meyers to have an even larger role in 2018.
We know NC State has some turnover on the defensive side of the ball, and there will be growing pains, but when you have terrific quarterback... you have a chance every week. NC State now has a chance to once against compete for the Atlantic Division title. The offense is going to have them in position to compete every Saturday.
Ryan Finley could have declared this year, and he certainly would have been drafted. However, by returning to school he can improve his draft stock and build his legacy at NC State.
With an above-average year, Finley's name will be placed among the Wolfpack's greats at the position, and that's a high honor.
Smart move Ryan.
