NC State depth chart breakdown - offensive line: “Ickey” could be a future star
There was one constant with the N.C. State offensive line in 2019 — that Grant Gibson was going to line up at center. Other than that, it was anyone’s guess from week to week.
Last year the Wolfpack had the same starting lineup for the first five games on the offensive line, then it switched five more times over the rest of the season. Injuries caused offensive line coach John Garrison to play musical chairs with his front five.
If the group stays healthy this season, it should be N.C. State’s strongest unit.
The best part about the players in this group is they are interchangeable because so many guys played so many different positions a year ago. Senior guard Joe Sculthorpe (6-3, 300) has played both guard positions and some tackle during camp. Same for sophomore tackle Ikem Ekwonu. Junior Bryson Speas played tackle a year ago, but should start at one of the guard spots in 2020.
Ekwonu stepped in as a true freshman and started the last seven games at the all important left tackle spot. Sculthorpe sees the making of a star in the guy they all call “Ickey.”
“Ickey did a great job,” Sculthorpe said. “It’s very rare, especially at the offensive line position, that a true freshman can come in and get starting reps, and even starts throughout the season, that’s even more impressive. I was really happy with him. I expect great things out of him, but I also expect great things out of the entire offensive line as a whole.”
The Wolfpack rushed for 151.1 yards per game last season, 8th in the ACC. The line was even better protecting the quarterback, giving up just 18 sacks, 3rd in the league. If there is solid continuity this season, the offensive line can be one of the better units in the ACC.
“I think this year we are coming back with a little bit of a chip on our shoulder,” Sculthorpe said. “We’ve built chemistry off the field as much as we could and we are building even more as a strong offensive line unit as we get through these practices.”
Here is a breakdown of N.C. State’s offensive line:
Who is expected to start?
Ekwonu (6-4, 308) and Justin Whitt (6-6, 310) should man the tackle spots, with Sculthorpe and Speas (6-4, 304) at the guards. Gibson will hold down the center spot. That’s four starters back with 62 combined starts between them. All five were on the roster a year ago, but that combination never touched the field at the same time. Gibson started all 12 games in 2019 and Whitt has 17 career starts, the most out of all the linemen.
Who are the key reserves?
Tyrone Riley (6-6, 296) was expected to compete for a starting spot in 2019, but went down with an injury. He was granted a sixth year of eligibility and will push Ekwonu and Whitt for those tackle spots. Riley has played in 37 career games, not bad for a “reserve.” Sophomore Derrick Eason (6-4, 286) moved over from the defensive line and Doeren spoke highly of him during preseason camp.
Who might surprise us?
Because every player should be ready to play this season, true freshmen Sean Hill (6-3, 310) and Ethan Lane (6-3, 265) might get thrown into the fire at some point. Both players enrolled in January and drew praise from Doeren for their work during a brief spring practice.
“I thought on our offensive line both Sean (Hill) and Ethan (Lane) came in and were repping with the twos and getting a lot of work,” Doeren said. “They are both going to be good players. They are tough, they’re coachable, and did some good things.”
What are the group’s strengths?
Experience matters. Ekwonu is the young pup of the group, but has seven starts under his belt and comes into 2020 as a preseason second-team All-ACC tackle. Gibson started all 12 games in 2019 (only offensive player to do so), while Sculthorpe is right behind him with 11. Whitt has 17 starts to his credit heading into his senior year. Speas started six games a year ago as the offensive line shifted pieces. Even with the moving parts, the Wolfpack protected the quarterback well, allowing 1.5 sacks per game last season.
What are the group’s weaknesses?
Seven linemen can play without a drop off in talent or production. Behind the starters and two reserves, however, there isn’t a lot of depth. There are seven redshirt or true freshmen waiting behind the starters. Redshirt freshman Dylan McMahon (6-3, 294) actually started one game. Redshirt freshman Timothy McKay (6-4, 306) saw action in three games on special teams in 2019.
This story was originally published September 7, 2020 at 7:00 AM with the headline "NC State depth chart breakdown - offensive line: “Ickey” could be a future star."
