The N.C. State football team, recovering from graduating its top receiver Tobais Palmer, will look to redshirt senior wide receiver Quintin Payton and junior wide receiver Bryan Underwood to help lead the team to success in the upcoming season.
Payton was the primary target for former quarterback Mike Glennon last season before Palmer caught fire. The Anderson, S.C., native led the team in receiving yards with 798 yards off 51 receptions and scored two touchdowns for the Wolfpack.
Payton’s scores came in the home opener against South Alabama and in the final home game against Boston College.
Underwood started the season hot by scoring at least one touchdown in the first eight games of the season, including the game-winning score against then No. 3 Florida State. However, dropped passes caused his numbers to decline, as he was held scoreless for the last five games of the season.
Underwood finished the 2012 campaign with 44 catches for 620 yards and a team-high 10 touchdowns.
In addition to Payton and Underwood, the team will return four receivers who saw action last season.
Redshirt senior Rashard Smith, who spent most of last season returning punts, caught 19 passes for 315 yards and scored five touchdowns. Smith had 34 punts for 316 yards and scored his only special-teams touchdown against The Citadel.
Sophomore wide receiver Charlie Hegedus, the only true freshman, letter-winning wide-out to return for the Pack, caught nine passes for 116 yards and a touchdown against rival UNC-Chapel Hill.
State’s returning tight ends, redshirt seniors Asa Watson and Anthony Talbert, will also look to play major roles in the upcoming campaign.
Watson, who was second string last year behind graduated tight end Mario Carter, caught 24 passes for 282 yards and one touchdown. Watson’s lone score came during the Nov. 10 victory over Wake Forest.
Talbert played most of his snaps on special teams but managed to record four receptions for 48 yards during the 2012 season.
State’s running backs also contributed to the passing game last season.
Redshirt junior halfback Tony Creecy caught 34 passes out of the backfield for 182 yards and a touchdown on the season. His only receiving touchdown came in the 44-37 loss to Miami Sept. 22.
Sophomore running back Shadrach Thornton recorded 30 receptions for 274 yards last season and scored a 25-yard touchdown against the Seminoles.
The 2013 recruiting class also shows promise for the State receiver corps. Lakewood High School standout Marquez Valdes and Bunn High School wide receiver Jonathan Alston highlight the five receiver signees for the Pack.
Valdes caught 50 passes for 800 yards and reached the end zone 14 times as a senior for Lakewood.
Alston, the No. 25 recruit in North Carolina according to Rivals.com, had 27 receptions for 523 yards and scored seven times for Bunn.
The Pack managed to snag former West Virginia wide receiver Travares Copeland. As a true freshman, the Port St. Lucie, Fla. native caught 10 passes for 55 yards for the Mountaineers. Copeland will sit out for the upcoming season due to NCAA transfer regulations. He will have three years of eligibility remaining.
Redshirt junior quarterback Pete Thomas and freshman quarterback Manny Stocker will have a wide assortment of targets for when they begin the season Aug. 31 against Louisiana Tech.
Regardless of who starts under center for the Pack on opening week, there will be many capable receivers to help the Pack succeed.
