Turn the calendar back a year, quarterback Devin Leary was gearing up to lead the NC State offense in his first full season as the starting quarterback. Fast forward to today and Leary is almost in the same identical spot.
Leary started the 2020 season as the starting quarterback before Covid protocols delayed that from happening. In week two, he put the country on notice of his potential, leading the Wolfpack to a comeback road victory over Pitt – throwing for 336 yards and four touchdowns.
The following week at home versus Duke, Leary would find himself facing adversity once again as he suffered a fractured fibula in the second half – ending his season in his third straight start. Since then, he has fully recovered from the injury and has gone through spring practice, setting himself up as the starter heading into the season.
With a cabinet full of returning weapons at wide receiver and running back, Leary is using that to help ease back into the starting position. “Being able to have so many guys back in the receiving corps, running back, our offensive line, everyone has great experience where it just makes my job that much easier,” said Leary at the 2021 ACC Kickoff. Wolfpack fans and the coaching staff feel totally comfortable handing the keys back to Leary, who has shown that he is able to make plays on his own but will also be able to sit back and feed the ball to the long list of experienced weapons.
“Coach always said, ‘Just be the point guard of the team, distribute the ball, make everyone else make the plays for you.’ Being able to have everyone back is very helpful,” Leary said. Add in a full offseason with second-year offensive coordinator Tim Beck, and the 2021 NC State offense could have record-breaking production.