NC State depth chart breakdown - WR/TE: C.J. Riley is healthy and ready
C.J. Riley was running down to cover a punt in the opener last season against East Carolina.
He hit the turf and didn’t immediately get up. Riley had to be helped to the sideline and eventually the worst was confirmed: a torn ACL. So what was supposed to be a breakout season for the Florida native, turned into another round of rehab.
Coming out of North Broward Prep, Riley (6-4, 211) tore his ACL in summer camp in 2016. He was forced to redshirt the season, sidetracking him before he ever got started. In 2017 Riley played behind a trio of veterans and snagged just nine passes. He returned to catch 28 the following year, and many figured he was on his way to being the next big play receiver in 2019. But the injury meant his 2019 only lasted 17 plays.
So Riley spent the offseason rehabbing, preparing for a fifth year in Raleigh, feeling better than ever.
“I felt it (recovering) was a lot easier from the first time, when I tore it my freshman year,” Riley said. “I knew what I was doing the second time during the process, so I had a plan to get back faster the second time around.”
Faster? Can Riley regain the speed that made him the fastest player on the team in 2018, running a 4.48 40-yard dash? Only time will tell. Either way, he’s in a good place.
“It wasn’t much of a mental hurdle,” Riley said about his recovery. “I knew if I could do it the first time, I could do it a second time. It was about staying positive and not getting down on myself.”
Riley was fully cleared and has not been under any restrictions during fall camp. He said the knee is fine and more than anyone else on the roster, Riley won’t take this camp for granted.
“It’s like being a kid in a candy shop,” Riley said. “Just being able to run around and play football again, it’s a great feeling.”
Here is a breakdown of N.C. State’s wide receivers:
Who is expected to start?
Sophomore Devin Carter, junior Thayer Thomas and senior Emeka Emezie will line up at the wide receiver spots, while senior Cary Angeline (6-7, 250) returns as the starter at the tight end position. That’s a combined 144 catches returning. Riley is returning after missing all but one game in 2019 with an injury. Early reports out of camp are that Riley has returned to form and could possibly push for one of those starting spots.
Who are the key reserves?
If Riley doesn’t get the starting nod, he’ll be the top pass catcher off the bench. He has caught 37 passes in his career, head and shoulders above the rest of the group of reserves. Sophomore Jasiah Provillon (6-3, 208), sophomore Keyson Lesane (6-0, 194) and junior Max Fisher (6-2, 202) haven’t gotten a lot of looks, with a combined 18 catches between the three. Seniors Dylan Autenrieth (6-4, 240) and Dylan Parham (6-5, 243) will back up Angeline at tight end.
Who might surprise us?
It’s probably not fair to consider freshman Porter Rooks a surprise if he cracks the lineup. Rooks (6-1, 185) was the highest ranked recruit in the class of 2020 out of Myers Park High School. The January enrollee caught 170 passes for 2,424 yards and 34 touchdowns during his high school career.
“Porter is just consistent,” Emezie said about the freshman. “Like, it’s nothing crazy, he’s just a real consistent receiver and that’s really rare out of a freshman, to come in every single day with your head straight and get your business done, get your work done. He’s a real solid receiver.”
What are the group’s strengths?
This group can hurt opponents in a variety of ways. Emezie, Carter and Riley are big, physical guys who can move the sticks. Thomas is your prototypical inside guy, who can secure the catch and make guys miss. There is also a lot of size in this group, with six receivers on the roster 6-3 or taller.
What are the group’s weaknesses?
Is there a big play, game changing wideout in this group? In 12 games last season, only twice did a receiver have 100 yards or more in a game. N.C. State’s biggest play through the air was a 55-yard connection between Devin Leary and Carter against Boston College. The Wolfpack averaged 5.9 yards per pass, which means they weren’t exactly stretching the defense.
This story was originally published September 8, 2020 at 8:00 AM with the headline "NC State depth chart breakdown - WR/TE: C.J. Riley is healthy and ready."
