Pack Football tweeted a link of offensive coordinator Matt Canada taking questions from fans on their facebook page. Here's a quick transcription of what he had to say:
Matt Canada answers questions on NC State's facebook page
You abandoned the wildcat formation after the bye week last year, do you see it returning with the amount of talent in the backfield?
I certainly agree that we have a lot of talent at running back. Each game is different. The wildcat was much more efficient than it might seem at times, there are good plays and bad plays in everything we do. I wouldn't say yes or no, but it's something that will always be part of our offense. When we play certain teams, they give us opportunities to use that...we'll leave that in our bag and we'll pull it out when we see fit.
I'm worried about our WR lineup, how do you see that panning out?
I appreciate your question, but we have great talent on the edge. Coach McDonald has come in here and we've had two days of practice at this point. Our receivers are playing very well. They're going to continue to improve. If you look at our receiving corps, a lot of them played as true freshmen and they are a very young group of players. We've got very talented guys on the edge. To say where they would be able to play today, I wouldn't be able to answer that, but I do believe when we get to the fall, you'll be pleased with the way our receivers play.
During a 2-minute drill, will the QB have the autonomy to make the call based on the defensive formation?
Every play we have, the quarterback has up to three options he can use...As I said earlier, each play is different and each game is different. The QB has options on each play, we hope that's what makes our offense a challenge to defend. The QBs we have with Jacoby returning and Jalan coming on, we've got some guys who are very talented, but are also very smart football players. They're both students of the game and I believe we give them enough freedom to use their talents when we see fit.
Will be see both Jacoby Brissett and Jalan McClendon play this year, and where will Josh Taylor fall in the quarterback lineup?
I wouldn't be able to answer that question yet. I think each year is different. We were able to redshirt Jalan last year, which we felt was the best for Jalan and the best for our program. But he is a very talented player. Josh is a quarterback whose strengths are running the football. The games he got in, you could see him do those things - throwing on the run, and he's worked very hard at being prepared to play. I think you'll continue to see him in that role. We'd certainly like to get Jalan some reps to continue to build, depending on the way the games work. We don't have any plans to have a two QB rotation, but I do forsee Jalan getting some quality reps as the season goes on.
Also, even though Jaylen Samuels is listed as a TE, do you think he'll play other positions?
I certainly do. When you look at J-Sam and his production last year, he was a very efficient football player. His yards per touch were off the charts, and that's something he did in high school as well. He can catch the ball and run the ball, so you'll see him at a number of positions.
Matt Canada answers questions on NC State's facebook page
You abandoned the wildcat formation after the bye week last year, do you see it returning with the amount of talent in the backfield?
I certainly agree that we have a lot of talent at running back. Each game is different. The wildcat was much more efficient than it might seem at times, there are good plays and bad plays in everything we do. I wouldn't say yes or no, but it's something that will always be part of our offense. When we play certain teams, they give us opportunities to use that...we'll leave that in our bag and we'll pull it out when we see fit.
I'm worried about our WR lineup, how do you see that panning out?
I appreciate your question, but we have great talent on the edge. Coach McDonald has come in here and we've had two days of practice at this point. Our receivers are playing very well. They're going to continue to improve. If you look at our receiving corps, a lot of them played as true freshmen and they are a very young group of players. We've got very talented guys on the edge. To say where they would be able to play today, I wouldn't be able to answer that, but I do believe when we get to the fall, you'll be pleased with the way our receivers play.
During a 2-minute drill, will the QB have the autonomy to make the call based on the defensive formation?
Every play we have, the quarterback has up to three options he can use...As I said earlier, each play is different and each game is different. The QB has options on each play, we hope that's what makes our offense a challenge to defend. The QBs we have with Jacoby returning and Jalan coming on, we've got some guys who are very talented, but are also very smart football players. They're both students of the game and I believe we give them enough freedom to use their talents when we see fit.
Will be see both Jacoby Brissett and Jalan McClendon play this year, and where will Josh Taylor fall in the quarterback lineup?
I wouldn't be able to answer that question yet. I think each year is different. We were able to redshirt Jalan last year, which we felt was the best for Jalan and the best for our program. But he is a very talented player. Josh is a quarterback whose strengths are running the football. The games he got in, you could see him do those things - throwing on the run, and he's worked very hard at being prepared to play. I think you'll continue to see him in that role. We'd certainly like to get Jalan some reps to continue to build, depending on the way the games work. We don't have any plans to have a two QB rotation, but I do forsee Jalan getting some quality reps as the season goes on.
Also, even though Jaylen Samuels is listed as a TE, do you think he'll play other positions?
I certainly do. When you look at J-Sam and his production last year, he was a very efficient football player. His yards per touch were off the charts, and that's something he did in high school as well. He can catch the ball and run the ball, so you'll see him at a number of positions.
