Devin Leary discusses emerging playmakers and preseason awards

On3 imageby:Ethan McDowell08/04/22

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NC State star quarterback Devin Leary did not receive any advance notice when he won ACC Preseason Player of the Year. Instead, he found out the same way nearly everyone else did— through Twitter. 

Leary recently moved into a new apartment and was checking his phone when the award, featuring the senior signal caller, popped up on his timeline. A couple of weeks later, Leary strapped on his helmet for the first day of Fall camp and took the first practice snaps of the most anticipated season of his career. 

After Wednesday’s practice, he acknowledged what the preseason award from the conference meant to him. 

“It’s a huge honor,” Leary said. “It’s definitely a huge honor to be recognized at that national stage. But for me, I know that the biggest thing, with personal accolades, it comes with team success. That has always been my priority. As long as our team is doing good, all those personal accolades and recognition will just follow up with that.”

From Wake Forest’s Sam Hartman to Miami’s Tyler Van Dyke, the ACC is stacked with quarterback talent this year. Leary threw for 3433 yards and 35 touchdowns last year but did not make the all-conference team. 

Headed into the 2022 season, he knows he will be competing against a similar, if not higher, level of talent in the conference. 

“I think there’s a bunch of great quarterbacks in the ACC,” Leary said. “It’s going to be really competitive this year. . .

“I’m very confident in our team, I think we built a great team around me, defensively, offensively, special teams, and that’s all just going to translate onto the field this year.” 

The veteran quarterback spent most of his media availability praising his teammates, especially center Grant Gibson. Leary and Gibson have worked closely together as leaders of the offense, working to hold the entire unit to a high standard. 

“Me being able to play behind Grant just makes me that much more comfortable, as well as the entire offensive line,” Leary said.  “He holds them to a high standard, and they expect the same out of him. And with me and him being on the offense, we expect that out of everyone.”

NC State’s offense as a whole returns a lot of experience, including receivers Thayer Thomas and Devin Carter. Leary said the three of them are focussed on making the next leap in their development. 

“We’ve always been on a great page,” Leary said. “We always understand how each other think, really, and now, just leading into this season, we need to take that extra step of ‘Okay, we understand our offense, we understand what we need to do. Now, how can we attack different defenses in different ways?’” 

He praised the skill and athleticism of wide receiver Juilan Gray, while also touting the patience and overall mentality that running back Jordan Houston brings to the team. 

“Julian Gray is a tremendous athlete, tremendous receiver, very skilled, very gifted, and, I mean, he could help us a lot this year,” Leary said.

“Jordan Houston’s a dog. I mean, credit to him, waiting his turn a little bit. I remember, 2019, being on the field with him a little bit when he got his reps, and he took full advantage of it. And I know he’s been waiting his turn. He’s very eager, very hungry, and I can’t wait to see what he does this year.” 

The expectations around Devin Leary following his rush of preseason accolades are high, but he will have an experienced and cohesive group around him when the Wolfpack takes the field Sept. 3 against East Carolina.

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