Brennan Armstrong is poised to be the starting quarterback for the NC State Wolfpack. Armstrong transferred from Virginia after a mediocre 2022 season and looks to bounce back with a new team.
Armstrong’s Passing Ability
Despite leaving more to be desired last season, Armstrong showed that he has the potential to be an exceptional passer in the ACC during his 2021 season. At Virginia, Armstrong passed for 4,449 yards while throwing 31 touchdowns. He completed 65.7% of his passes and only threw 10 interceptions. 2021 saw Armstrong lead the ACC in both passing yards and total yards gained. However, offensive coordinator Robert Anae left for Syracuse, and Armstrong took a step back in 2022.
Last season, Armstrong regressed in all major categories, passing for only 2,210 yards and 7 touchdowns. He threw 12 interceptions and his accuracy decreased to 54.7%. Virginia’s entire offense struggled as a result, and the team went 3-7 with only one ACC win.
The biggest question Armstrong will have to answer will be whether or not a reunion with Anae will help him return to his 2021 form. The Wolfpack hired Anae as their offensive coordinator this offseason, and Armstrong followed not soon after. NC State’s offense as a whole is looking to bounce back from last season’s performance. In 2022, the Wolfpack struggled to produce scoring after quarterback Devin Leary went down with a season-ending shoulder injury. Head coach Dave Doeren and Anae are relying on Armstrong to bounce back under an offense he has had previous success with.
Armstrong’s Rushing Ability
While Armstrong has the ability to throw the ball at a high level, he has also proven to be a capable runner. His likely backup, MJ Morris, is much more of a physical specimen in the run game, but Armstrong has had success when he needs to tuck and run. His career high came in 2020 when he ran for 552 yards and five touchdowns. In 2021, Armstrong ran for nine touchdowns. With 20 career rushing touchdowns, he has shown that he can tuck and run when a play breaks down or be used in goal line situations.
More than likely, the Wolfpack offense under Anae will rely on an accurate quarterback and a solid ground game. The Wolfpack have always had a solid offensive line, and now the rushing game looks promising. Running back Jordan Houston returns as a reliable runner who can also catch passes out of the backfield. Paired with Armstrong’s capabilities as runner, the Wolfpack backfield will be dynamic and able to adjust to a variety of looks from opposing defenses.
2023 Season Outlook
NC State’s offense and team success will be as good as Armstrong plays at the helm. If Armstrong is unable to bounce back from last season, the Wolfpack will have a tough time producing enough scoring to compete with the top teams in the ACC. However, if the new NC State quarterback can return to the level of play he showed the last time he was under Anae, the offense will benefit massively.
If the Wolfpack wants to compete for an ACC championship, Armstrong will have to regain his accuracy. Limiting mistakes and finding open receivers will be paramount for the style of offense the Wolfpack will trot out in 2023. While NC State has some promising offensive weapons like Keyon Lesane and four-star recruit Javonte Vereen, they lack a truly elite weapon. With this in mind, it will be on Armstrong’s shoulders to find open receivers and take what the defense gives. In addition, he will have to run efficiently when plays break down to extend drives.
The Defense will remain one of the better units in the country, but Armstrong and company will have to put up enough points to beat the better teams on the schedule.
Photo courtesy: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
