NC State football preps for 2023 season with transfer QB Brennan Armstrong, new faces
Posted August 2, 2023 6:53 p.m. EDT
Updated August 3, 2023 10:20 a.m. EDT
Raleigh, N.C. — The NC State Wolfpack had several new faces at the team’s first preseason practice on Wednesday ahead of the 2023 season.
“[It’s] really fun to see some of these guys,” head coach Dave Doeren said. “We had 40 new players this year when you add up all the scholarship guys and the walk-ons and then some guys returning from injury.”
On Wednesday, Doeren discussed the chemistry between starting quarterback Brennan Armstrong and new offensive coordinator Robert Anae.
Armstrong threw for 4,449 yards, 31 touchdowns, 10 interceptions and completed 65.2% of his passes in 2021 at Virginia while playing under Anae.
When Anae went to Syracuse for the 2022 season, Armstrong’s stats dipped. Last season, he threw for 2,210 yards, seven touchdowns, 12 interceptions and completed 54.7% of his passes.
“It’s just like having an extra coach,” Doeren said of Armstrong. “He can get guys in the right spot, he can talk to players from a coach’s point of view because he’s had those conversations for years with coach Anae.
“He can get people lined up and answer questions sometimes maybe off to the side, and he might see a receiver confused and be able to help him on a play. So, his experience is very valued.”
Anae replaces Tim Beck, who was hired as Coastal Carolina’s head coach in the offseason.
“The dynamic is pretty good. We understand each other,” Armstrong said of Anae. “I know how things are going to be called in a sense, just his thoughts a little bit.
“I’m not, obviously, in his head … and know exactly what he’s thinking, but I have a good idea. So, certain things get called in and I’m just like, ‘Ok, yeah, I kind of saw that coming.’”
Armstrong, who is listed a 6’2” and 210 pounds, said Anae calls him “big fella.”
“Hopefully, the chemistry gets shown on the field,” Armstrong said.
Armstrong said he’s working to build chemistry with his wide receivers.
Graduate transfer wide receiver Bradley Rozner also spoke Tuesday with media members. Rozner, 25, transferred from Rice and is entering his eighth year of college. He said he arrived in Raleigh on July 24.
“It’s been short, but having a veteran quarterback who has played Power 5 football in the ACC, he’s got a lot of experience,” Rozner said. “So, being able to learn from him at this level has been huge.”
Rozner said transferring to NC State was the “obvious” choice after he decided to enter the transfer portal. He said about 20 schools reached out to him.
Rozner credited conversations he had with assistant head coach and wide receivers coach Joker Phillips for why he chose NC State.
“We joke around a lot,” Rozner said of Phillips. “Every day, in the room, he says I graduated with him.”
Armstrong also discussed competing against sophomore quarterback MJ Morris.
“That’s what’s going to bring the best out of us every day,” Armstrong said of his competition against Morris. “I’ve always tried to be an open door for him.”
Armstrong said Morris has quickly learned the new offense.
“Just being an older guy and knowing the offense, I just always want to be that open door for people,” Armstrong said. “I think helping people is probably one the best things you can do in life.”
NC State senior defensive end Savion Jackson had his last two seasons cut short due to knee injuries. Jackson spoke with media members on Wednesday.
“It’s been since Syracuse [on Oct. 15, 2022,] was the last time I touched grass, so just being back is just amazing to me,” Jackson said.
NC State opens its season at 7:30 p.m. ET Thursday, Aug. 31 on the road against Connecticut.
