Early enrollee: Quarterback Matt McKay
Measurables:
• Listed on NCSU's roster at 6-foot-3 and 184 pounds. At NC State’s summer camp in June, ran the 40-yard dash in 4.79 seconds and did a 9-3 standing broad jump. At a Nike combine in Charlotte in April, had a 4.63 shuttle time and 34.5-inch vertical leap.
Stats:
• Senior: Completed 119 of 222 passes (53.6 percent) for 1,553 yards, 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, and ran 152 times for 767 yards and nine scores.
• Junior: Completed 165 of 300 passes (55.0 percent) for 2,119 yards, 22 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, and ran 187 times for 1,019 yards and 11 scores
• Sophomore: Completed 158 of 359 passes (44.0 percent) for 2,260 yards, 21 touchdowns and 23 interceptions, and ran 84 times for 123 yards and four scores.
Ratings:
• Rivals.com: Three stars and No. 41 player in the state.
• Scout.com: Three stars, No. 72 quarterback nationally, No. 26 quarterback in the South and No. 3 quarterback in the state.
• 247Sports: Three stars, No 24 pro-style quarterback nationally and No. 24 player in the state.
• ESPN: Four stars, No. 14 dual-threat quarterback nationally, No. 8 player in the state.
• Fayetteville Observer: No. 34 player in the state.
Honors/accomplishments:
• Three-year starter and led Wakefield to state playoffs each season.
• Picked all-conference as a junior and senior.
• Led conference in passing and was top five in rushing as a junior.
• Also ran track during his sophomore and junior years.
• Just turned 17 last October.
Recruitment:
• Was offered by NC State, Pittsburgh, West Virginia, Temple and Old Dominion during or after his junior season.
• Verbally committed to the Wolfpack on Feb. 28.
• Enrolled early.
Recruiter of record:
Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Eli Drinkwitz
Quotable:
“One thing he does pretty well is he runs the ball. He’s a long strider … he creates plays and he has the ability to do that with his legs.” — Former Wakefield head coach Rod Sink
Scouting report:
• Intriguing athlete at quarterback with good combination of size, speed and arm strength.
• Has noticeably improved as a big-play, dual-threat quarterback yet does not rely exclusively on his athleticism and will look to pass even as he escapes the pocket.
• Needs to get bigger and stronger and improve his accuracy and touch.
2017 projection:
McKay would appear to be a lock to redshirt barring a catastrophic breakdown in injuries at the quarterback position.
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