MCLAMB: Win-Win Situation For McClendon, NC State
Once Ryan Finley decided to return to NC State there was not much of a choice to make. The key was being in the position to make it.
Jalan McClendon was projected to be the starting quarterback heading into the 2016 season for the Wolfpack but sometimes life does not go as planned.
The dismissal of Matt Canada as offensive coordinator led to Eliah Drinkwitz being hired away from Boise State. The relationship Drinkwitz had with Finley, who lost his starting job with the Broncos due to injury prompted a reuniting of the two in Raleigh.
Finley being studious and judicious with his time while at Boise State meant he was given three years of eligibility instead of two at NC State. His performance over the summer helped him win the starting assignment for the opener in 2016 -- a job most expected McClendon to be given -- and his play since has placed him among the great quarterbacks in Wolfpack history.
Things did not go as planned for McClendon but he does leave NC State with some nice parting gifts. The rising redshirt junior will always be remembered for his play in the Wolfpack’s win over Notre Dame during the 2016 campaign.
It was a game played against one of the marquee programs in college football during a hurricane on the 50th anniversary of Carter-Finley Stadium, so short of some type Men in Black government issue device that erases memories, McClendon’s legacy in that regard is secure.
Most importantly, McClendon will be a college graduate after the spring semester ends. With his bachelor degree secure, the move away will not require sitting out the 2018 season. That is two major wins for the Charlotte-native in what otherwise could be a tough situation.
NC State will have Finley behind center continuing his strive for greatness, both individually and in leading the Wolfpack. Backing up Finley will be Matt McKay of Wakefield High School in Raleigh, an early enrollee in 2017 who did not play last season, along with one of the top high school quarterbacks in New Jersey Gatorade Player of the Year in incoming freshman Devin Leary.
McKay’s early enrollment has given him a leg up and it is likely that NC State would prefer to redshirt Leary, which can allow him to get acclimated to college and go course-heavy in his first couple of semesters of school.
The current situation somewhat mirrors the offseason of 2010, when NC State had to choose between Mike Glennon, a returning grad student with two years of eligibility, or Russell Wilson for one more season.
Glennon was the choice and despite Wilson leading Wisconsin to the Rose Bowl and then eventually Seattle to a Super Bowl win, the quarterback position was well-manned. Finley posted numbers that came up a little short of Glennon’s two season tally but his senior season will likely see him eclipse Wilson en route to the second-most career passing yards in NC State history.
Had Wilson returned, Glennon would have certainly took the same path McClendon is taking now.
The moral to the story is having leverage. Finley had it when he came to NC State and McClendon is using his to leave. Neither is wrong and both should be commended. The premise is not just playing football but using the athletic gift to become a college graduate.
McKay is on his way to having the same leverage. Leary, if he redshirts, will have an entire school year to get ahead as well.
In the meantime, McClendon will now look to use his degree from NC State to springboard him to greater success on the gridiron and in the classroom.
With the situation seven years ago, there will always be lingering doubts as to how it may have been handled better by both NC State and Wilson.
There is no shame or wrongdoing here. It was conducted the best possible way. Both McClendon and NC State are better for the experience.
NC State’s football program will be fine. McClendon will be fine. It was a victory for both parties.