SLEEPER ALERT: Offense
Several members of the staff at Inside Pack Sports pick their sleeper offensive player for NC State this upcoming season.
Freshman Wide Receiver Thayer Thomas
Thayer Thomas enrolled at NC State in the summer of 2017 with no real expectations. A preferred walk-on, Thomas wasn't even listed on the depth chart and often it is years before walk-ons sniff the lineup, if ever at all.
That won't be the case for Thomas.
After redshirting in 2017, I believe Thomas will be a major contributor on special teams and expect him to also crack the two-deep at slot receiver during fall camp.
There has been a lot of buzz about Thomas, and he's done enough to already earn a scholarship. While he will have to compete with Jakobi Meyers for snaps at slot receiver, he probably won't have a major role in 2018. However, should Meyers sustain an injury, Thomas could be a critical player to the Wolfpack offense given the reliance on the slot within the system.
As far as sleepers go, Thomas is definitely a player no one is talking about right now who could carve out a nice role this year for NC State.
Sophomore Guard Josh Fedd-Jackson
It's probably not glamorous to pick an offensive lineman, but I think Josh Fedd-Jackson is a guy no one is talking about who I think is going to make a big impact in 2018.
Last season we saw NC State attack the right side of the offensive line repeatedly in the run game. Obviously there's some concern with Tony Adams and Will Richardson now departed.
However, Fedd-Jackson stepped in during the Sun Bowl and I didn't feel like State missed a beat. He was effective and I think that'll carry over into this season.
The thing I love most about Fedd-Jackson is his mental approach to the game. He's tough and plays nasty and I think that's something you have to have to be successful in the ACC. On top of that, if you saw him prior to the 2017 season and then compared it to now, he's really improved physically. Although technically he's only lost three pounds, his fat percentage has improved dramatically and that's the kind of dedication you're looking for in the off season.
When all is said and done I think Fedd-Jackson has the potential to be an all-conference caliber offensive lineman before he graduates from NC State. -- Steve Williams
Freshman Tight End Adam Boselli
When Adam Boselli showed up for camp in the summer of 2016 the Pack already had a commitment from Damien Darden and didn't plan to take another tight end.
However, after his camp performance, Boselli put himself on the Pack's radar.
Things worked out, Boselli committed in the fall of '16, signed in the winter or '17 and enrolled in July of '17.
With Cole Cook, Dylan Autenrieth and Jaylen Samuels set to go in '17, Boselli was able to redshirt the season to add on some weight and get himself ready. Exit Cole Cook and Jaylen Samuels after exhausting their eligibility and the Wolfpack have a lot of snaps to account for from the TE position.
Autenrieth will likely step into the Cole Cook-role while USC transfer Cary Angeline is expected to take a lot of the targets/touches that Jaylen Samuels would’ve gotten.
However, the season is long and keeping fresh legs at the tight end positions will require some depth, and I could see Boselli being at the top of the list to get in the mix as the season goes along. -- Bryant Carson
Sophomore Wide Receiver C.J. Riley
C.J. Riley has all the tools to be an impact player in the ACC.
He picked up some steam late in 2017, with almost half of his catches coming in the final two games.
The NC State wide receiver corps is elite and can hold its own with most in the nation but there are players that will draw much of the focus, such as Kelvin Harmon, Jakobi Meyers, and Stephen Louis.
The presents an opportunity for Riley to have a season akin to what Meyers posted last year.
Will Riley have between 600-700 yards receiving in 2018?
Perhaps not, but he will emerge and then set himself up to be a top target in 2019. -- Rob McLamb
Sophomore Tackle Justin Witt
It's tough to pick a sleeper on the offensive side of the ball with seven established starters, plus Ricky Person and Cary Angeline set to inherit big roles so they don't qualify as sleepers in my mind. I'm going off the grid with redshirt sophomore offensive tackle Justin Witt.
While there's no doubt he didn't play well against South Carolina last year, it was his college debut against an SEC defense and that's a tough task for anybody. Witt didn't see much action the rest of the year and will have to earn the right tackle job.
There's other options who will get a fair shot like Tyrone Riley and Emanuel McGirt, plus there's the possibility that somebody like Terrone Prescod gets moved to tackle.
Long story short, Witt may not even start this year, and if he does, he'll have a short leash.
However, I think Witt, under the direction of Dwayne Ledford, will suitably replace Richardson.
Wolfpack fans may not hear a lot about Witt this year, but that will be a good thing. -- Ethan Barry