NC State names Devin Leary as its starting QB vs. Wake Forest

After two full months of experimentation and positional musical chairs, NC State — prior to a key road game at Wake Forest — has named Devin Leary as its starting quarterback. Leary, a redshirt freshman from New Jersey, is the third player to start at quarterback for the Wolfpack this season.

The 6-foot-2 Leary has seen action in multiple games already this season; he’s thrown for 336 yards and three touchdowns, while completing 20-of-41 passes (48.8 percent). Leary has averaged 8.2 yards per pass attempt, which is a boon for NC State.

Matt McKay and Bailey Hockman, who combined to start the first seven games of this season, are averaging 6.1 and 5.6 yards per attempt, respectively.

Leary’s first start will come off a bye week on the road against a tough opponent, though: No. 23 Wake Forest. The Demon Deacons, however, rank just 84th nationally in defensive efficiency. Wake Forest is also without captain and star linebacker Justin Strnad. (Strnad, who ranks third in the ACC with 9.86 tackles per game, is out for the remainder of Wake’s season with a torn bicep tendon.)

 

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