FSU Football: Top 5 offensive players ‘Noles will face in 2017
By Kelvin Hunt
Jaylen Samuels-NC State
NC State’s do it all player on offense is senior tight end Jaylen Samuels. He led the Wolfpack with 55 receptions and seven touchdowns in 2016.
He’s also a player NC State likes to use in the run game, particularly in the redzone as he had 33 rushes for 189 yards with six touchdowns.
Samuels was held in check last season against the ‘Noles, but attention to him allowed little known running back Nyheim Hines to go wild with 11 receptions and 124 yards.
Samuels finished the game with 60 yards on seven touches which is still over eight yards per play.
This season will be NC State’s second year with their offensive coordinator who came from Boise State.
I expect they’ll have some designed plays specifically for Samuels as they look to create mismatches in space.
The question will be if quarterback Ryan Finley can get him the ball as he struggled in conference play for the most part last season.