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ACC Football: Biggest offseason question for every team

By John Buhler

Dec 30, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Deondre Francois (12) runs off the field during the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Deondre Francois (12) runs off the field during the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 17, 2016; Raleigh, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack running back Matt Dayes (21) runs after a catch as Old Dominion Monarchs safety Rob Thompson (20) defends during the second half at Carter Finley Stadium. The Wolfpack won 49-22. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Raleigh, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack running back Matt Dayes (21) runs after a catch as Old Dominion Monarchs safety Rob Thompson (20) defends during the second half at Carter Finley Stadium. The Wolfpack won 49-22. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports /

North Carolina State Wolfpack: Who replaces Matt Dayes in the backfield?

While the North Carolina State Wolfpack could be a dark horse contender in the ACC Atlantic due to Ryan Finley returning as their starting quarterback, replacing their best offensive player in running back Matt Dayes could be a tall order.

Dayes got a ton of touches in the Wolfpack backfield his senior season. He had a good showing in the 2017 Reese’s Senior Bowl and projects as a mid-round player in the 2017 NFL Draft. Finley could see a leap forward in his game as a passer, but who can he lean on in the Wolfpack backfield?

Look for it to be a running back-by-committee sort of ordeal for North Carolina State this fall. The Wolfpack should have three viable tailbacks in Johnny Frasier, Reggie Gallaspy and Nyheim Hines. They also have the luxury of pounding the rock with h-back Jaylen Samuels.

He is the x-factor for the Wolfpack offense. Samuels can play fullback and tight end in Dave Doeren’s offense. He runs with power, but also precision. This could present a ton of mismatches and interesting looks for the Wolfpack offense. Then again, most of its overall effectiveness hinges on Finley’s progression at quarterback.

Winning the ACC Atlantic would make for an unbelievable season for the Wolfpack. Though they are not going to be better than Florida State, Clemson is in a slight rebuild and how much talent does Bobby Petrino have to surround Lamar Jackson anyway? It should be an interesting year for Raleigh’s favorite ACC team.

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