OFFENSE

Offensive Line

Note: The offensive line paved the way for two of the top three total offense totals in school history in 2017 and 2018, but four players from those two teams are now in NFL training camps and three starters from last season are not returning.

Key Battle: Two redshirt graduates should have a heated battle to start at the crucial left tackle position in fall camp. Tyrone Riley might have the advantage in terms of experience (he started two games at LT last season), but Emanuel McGirt, Jr., is healthy and is coming off an excellent spring.

Question(s): Where will Joe Sculthorpe play? The redshirt junior follows in the footsteps of Joe Thuney (New England Patriots) and Garrett Bradbury (Minnesota Vikings) as a versatile player who can play center or guard. Where he ends up could end up depending on the progress of two redshirt freshmen: Grant Gibson at center and Bryson Speas at guard.

Tight End

Note: New TE coach Todd Goebbel does not want his players pigeonholed as blockers or receivers, and is emphasizing versatility heading into fall camp.

Key Battle: Dylan Autenrieth is one of just four starters returning on offense, getting the nod in eight games last season, while Cary Angeline started four. Dylan Parham, a former quarterback who missed almost all of 2018 with injuries, played in 12 games in 2017. All three will be pushing for playing time.

Question(s): How will that rotation work?

Wide Receiver

Note: For the first time in school history, the Pack boasted two 1,000-yard receivers last season. This year, both of those receivers - as well as the QB who threw all those passes - are on NFL training camp rosters. But the Pack hopes to simply reload at the WR spots, as three other players with starting experience return (C.J. Riley, Emeka Emezie and Thayer Thomas, as well as transfer Tabari Hines).

Key Battle: Behind those experienced players are a handful of talented young players. Jasiah Provillon and Devin Carter both redshirted last season but saw game action, Max Fisher is a RS-sophomore hungry to play and Keyon Lesane and Chris Toudle are true freshmen who had strong spring outings after enrolling early.

Question(s): Who’s got next? Harmon and Meyers have set a standard - will somebody step up as the Pack’s next great receiver?

Quarterback

Note: For the fourth time in head coach Dave Doeren’s seven seasons with the Wolfpack, not a single player on his roster has started a game at quarterback for NC State (also in 2013, ‘14, ‘16). In fact, the entire quarterback corps has combined to throw just eight passes collegiately - and all of those were by Matthew McKay.

Key Battle: This is THE key battle.

Question(s): Duh! Who will win the starting job? McKay has the advantage in terms of experience, while Devin Leary with his cannon for an arm has been in the program for a year and a half now and is ready for his shot. Also, the last four starters for the Wolfpack have been transfers, so don’t count out Bailey Hockman. There's also a young but talented freshman in the mix - Ty Evans - who has gained 20 lbs. since arriving on campus in January.

Running Back

Note: For the first time in school history, a different back has rushed for 1,000 yards each of the past three seasons. That means the Wolfpack has experience replacing a 1,000-yard rusher with ... another 1,000-yard rusher!

Key Battle: Ricky Person is the heir apparent because of his experience (nine games, 112 attempts, 471 yards in 2018). But Zonovan Knight turned heads in spring practice while Person sat out with an injury. Add Trent Pennix - who rushed 22 times in four games while redshirting last season - and freshmen Delbert Mimms and Jordan Houston to the mix and there should be great competition in fall camp.

Question(s): Who's next in the 1,000-yard club? And are the three freshmen on the roster going to be ready to step up to provide depth and competition?

DEFENSE

Defensive Line

Note: Larrell Murchison and James Smith-Williams combined for 17.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks a year ago.

Key Battle: The nose! Alim McNeill had a solid freshman year, starting a game and tallying 5.5 TFLs and 3.5 sacks, while after sitting out his transfer year, Val Martin came on strong in spring workouts.

Question(s): Although some of the starters may be expected, the Wolfpack defensive line has had a healthy rotation under line coach Kevin Patrick. Are experienced players Deonte Holden, Ibrahim Kante and Xavier Lyas ready to step up to that first line? How about true freshmen Savion Jackson, C.J. Clark and Joshua Harris? There is great experience and great talent on the line, but who will become an integral part of the rotation?

Linebacker

Note: The 2019 Wolfpack has more depth at linebacker than in any of the previous seasons under Doeren. Isaiah Moore returns to man the middle after tallying 69 total tackles last season, while veterans Brock Miller and Louis Acceus have a ton of game experience. Payton Wilson is back from his ACL injury ... C.J. Hart gained experience in four games as a redshirt last season. Add freshmen Drake Thomas and Jaylon Scott to the mix and the LB spots are loaded.

Key Battle: The competition at WLB should be one of the biggest battles in fall camp, with Acceus, Miller, Hart and Wilson all vying for playing time.

Question(s): What role will the 6’4, 235-lb. Wilson play?

Safety

Note: Strong safety Jarius Morehead has more career starts (26) than any player on the team and is the Wolfpack’s top returning tackler (he ranked second to Germaine Pratt last season).

Key Battle: New safeties coach Tony Gibson should have a great battle at the free safety spot in fall camp. Tanner Ingle, who started seven games at nickel as a true freshman, is now at FS and veterans Tim Kidd-Glass, Isaiah Stallings and DeVon Graves also return.

Question(s): Freshman Jakeen Harris has turned some heads in summer workouts. Is the rookie ready to challenge for playing time?

Nickel

Note/Key Battle/Key Question(s): Stephen Griffin started the last six games of the season at nickel, but speedy Tyler Baker-WIlliams could challenge him for the starting job after gaining experience in the nickel package late in the season and on special teams last season. It sets the stage for another fierce battle.

Cornerback

Note: Corner is also a deep position for the Pack in 2019. Although both starters from a year ago - Nick McCloud and Chris Ingram - return, there is speed, length and talent at the cornerback spot.

Key Battle: Kishawn Miller had a great spring and is expected to make a push for playing time in fall camp.

Question(s): Teshaun Smith started two games as a freshman. Taiyon Palmer missed the season with injuries but is back. Malik Dunlap redshirted last season and Shyheim Battle is a highly-touted freshman who gained experience in spring workouts. Will the young guys challenge the vets?

Special Teams

Note: The Wolfpack will have a new punter and new snapper for the first time since 2015 following the graduation of four-year starters A.J. Cole, III (P) and Tyler Griffiths (LS). Fortunately, the kicker’s job is firmly in the hands (or feet) of Christopher Dunn, who set a school record with 23 field goals and 120 points scored last season.

Key Battle: Will the Wolfpack go with the import or the domestic at punter? Mackenzie Morgan brings the Aussie-style of punting to the squad, while Trenton Gill is a more traditional punter. They will kick it out in fall camp.

Question(s): Who will handle kickoffs in 2019? Should come down to Dunn or Gill.