Riley Ready To Break Out
NC State redshirt sophomore wide receiver C.J. Riley is working hard to put himself in a position to earn an even bigger role in 2018, and he has been pleased with his play in fall camp.
"It’s going pretty good," Riley said of camp. "For the older guys, we are just trying to get the fine details down like route running, blocking, finishing in the end zone. Just little things that make our game improve.
"For the younger guys we are trying to coach them up so they can get the playbook and play four games instead of redshirt this year so we are trying to be role models for them and mentor them to help them."
Riley was regarded as one of NC State's most promising signees in the 2016 class, but a knee injury forced him to redshirt the year. However, he believes he turned the corner late in his redshirt freshman season.
"Towards the end of the season I was more confident in my knee," Riley stated. "I’m out of the brace now so I feel really good. I think this year will be a better year.
"I just want to help the team anyway I can. Whether it be special teams or receivers, it doesn’t matter, I just want to help the team out."
Wide receiver is arguably the deepest position on the Wolfpack's roster. Starters Kelvin Harmon, Steph Louis, and Jakobi Meyers are among the best at their position in the ACC, and reserves such as Riley, Emeka Emezie, and Thayer Thomas are more than capable of getting the job done.
For Riley, he believes the competition -- and hard work -- in practice is a big reason why this poisition group is so strong.
"It started with Steph," he said. "When me and Kelvin came in and then Kelvin followed Steph and then when we saw what they do, we followed them. We started working out with them. They really set the standard in the room.
"We just stay down, we work hard, we grind. When it comes to gametime we go out and perform. I think we’ll have a really good group this year."
Riley knows the entire team has a lot left to work on with the season opener against James Madison now just days away.
"For offense we need to be more consistent in the red zone," he said. "Last year we struggled in the red zone scoring, so this year a big emphasis is when we get to the red zone we need to put points on the board.
"Defensively, they have a young group, they are doing fine, they have to put it together once they get comfortable."
Where does Riley hope he improves the most this year?
"Just being more consistent from last year to this year," he replied. "Jakobi and those guys are big play guys, and when I come in I need to make the same plays they make so the offense can be more explosive and put more points on the board."
NC State lost a lot of experienced and quality playmakers, but Riley has a message for Wolfpack Nation.
"Stay behind us and push us. We are going to put on a show for y’all."