NFL Draft buzz building for NC State football QB Ryan Finley

Earlier this year, NC State became only the fourth program ever to have four former quarterbacks to start an NFL game in the same season. The former Wolfpack signal-callers even pulled off the feat in the same week, joining USC in 2009 as the only other college ever to do so.

It could happen this spring or it may be delayed until the year after, but it looks like that number will eventually change — and we're not talking about the Los Angeles Chargers' Philip Rivers (who will be 36 in December) possibly retiring.

NC State redshirt junior Ryan Finley, who is actually in his fifth year of college after starting his career at Boise State in 2013, is off to a great start this season and is next in line at the current top quarterback-producing school.

Heading into the top-15 matchup with Notre Dame, Finley has completed 69.4 percent of his 248 passes for 1,968 yards and 11 touchdowns against zero interceptions through the Wolfpack's 6-1 start.

With the nation's longest active streak of consecutive pass attempts without an interception now at 313 — and quickly approaching Pack Pro Russell Wilson's NCAA-record 379 from 2008-09 — Finley has emerged as not only one of the ACC's top quarterbacks, but one of the fastest-rising NFL Draft prospects at the most important position.

Finley still has a year of eligibility remaining after this season, but he could have a decision to make in the spring with his draft buzz already building significantly.

Earlier this week, CBS Sports' Chris Trapasso listed him as the first Wolfpacker off the board in his 2018 mock draft — significant because senior defensive end Bradley Chubb has worked his way into becoming an early first-round lock or as close as one could come to such a distinction seven games into the college season.

Trapasso projected Finley as the No. 7 overall choice, while Chubb came off the board 20th.

"Right now, Finley is just an intriguing name to some," he wrote in his Oct. 25 piece. "But he's gone over 300 pass attempts without an interception and is completing 69.4 percent of his throws with 11 touchdowns and no picks. Also, he's 6-foot-4 with a strong arm."

However, the scribe is not alone in moving Finley up his draft board. ESPN expert Mel Kiper Jr. listed Finley the No. 6 draft-eligible quarterback in his positional rankings updated Oct. 26.

“Liked him at Boise,” Kiper explained on Twitter when asked about Finley. “Big kid, and he has looked great at NC State. Could rise to the first-round discussion by next April.”

Meanwhile, Pro Football Focus ranked Finley one of the best draft-eligible quarterbacks in its Oct. 27 update, noting that among the top 12 such signal-callers Finley ranked first in turnover-worthy throw percentage (1.2), time to throw (2.16 seconds), and ranked second in deep-ball passer rating (136.6) and adjusted completion percentage (78.5). His overall grade of 88.5 ranked fifth.

CBS Sports’ Dane Brugler also praised the passer via Twitter when asked if he felt the NCSU product could be an early round choice.

“I think he is,” Brugler responded. “Quick eyes/decisions. Not as effective when forced to move his feet, but stays calm in the pocket. His tape shows NFL traits.”

Friday, NFL.com's Bucky Brooks joined the chorus and listed Finley as one of three emerging quarterbacks to watch and noted he already "plays like a pro from the pocket."

"The 6-foot-4, 205-pound junior is an efficient rhythm passer with a terrific feel for timing and anticipation," Brooks wrote. "… With Finley showing superb ball security (11 touchdowns against zero picks) and a complete understanding of how to play winning football at the position, he could be an intriguing option as a developmental QB prospect."

In the three biggest games of the year so far — against South Carolina in Charlotte, at Florida State and home against Louisville — Finley has combined to go 87-of-127 passing (68.5 percent) for 1,012 yards and five touchdowns, plus he rushed for a score in the season-opening loss to South Carolina.

Two more big ones — at Notre Dame and home against Clemson — await Finley and the Pack in the next two weeks.

If the quarterback started the season off of most NFL evaluators' radars, he has changed that with an excellent start. His stellar performances in the national spotlight will have to continue to stay there — the buzz can disappear as quickly as it came — but he should get used to being under the microscope, even if he returns to Raleigh for the 2018 campaign.

Whether in the NFL or simply being talked about as the next hot quarterback prospect, such is life on the big stage for the man under center.