Doeren: Leary's Mental Game Catching Up With Physical Skills

The redshirt freshman is in line to be the Wolfpack's third different starter this season

Devin Leary started the season as NC State's third string quarterback. Next week, when the Wolfpack takes on ACC Atlantic rival Wake Forest in Winston-Salem, the redshirt freshman will likely be his team's third different starter at the position.

It's a progression coach Dave Doeren said he knew Leary had in him all along. That is, as long as the redshirt freshman could learn master all aspects of his craft rather than relying simply on the strength of his right arm.

"It's been an interesting year," Doeren said Wednesday during his weekly coach's radio show. "Devin was the furthest behind mentally. He came and asked "what can I do,' and I gave him the specifics and he went to work on it

"I said you better be ready, because if your mind catches up where your arm is, you're going to be really disappointed if you don't get that done. Because you're going to have an opportunity if your mind catches up with your arm, and I want you to be ready. And he said 'Coach, I'll be ready."

Leary's first opportunity came on Sept. 28 at Florida State.

Entering the game on State's final possession after Bailey Hockman -- who had earlier relieved then-starter Matthew McKay -- limped off the field after a hard hit.

Leary responded by completing four of his five passes for 54 yards, barely missing his first career touchdown toss when receiver Max Fisher fumbled at the 2-yard line. 

The performance earned the 6-foot-2, 212-pound New Jersey native another brief appearance in the next game against Syracuse before he was called upon to take over for a struggling Hockman late in the first quarter last Saturday at Boston College.

He immediately began moving the team and played the rest of the way, going 15 of 33 for 259 yards and three touchdowns. He was one of the few bright spots to come out of the Wolfpack's otherwise forgettable 45-24 loss to the Eagles.

"He got in a situation at Florida State where he went in, threw the ball around and didn't flinch," Doeren said. "He took advantage of his opportunity this past game and he sparked us. And we needed a spark at that time."

Although Doeren didn't come out and say that Leary would be State's starter against Wake Forest, his comments Wednesday certainly seemed to suggest that he will.

"He's very accurate," Doeren said. "What makes him unique to me is that he can throw a hardball like nobody else. But he knows how to take some of the heat off of it at times and make it a very catchable ball for guys. 

"He's just very steady. He doesn't get phased by anything. He threw a pick today in practice and then next play he threw a 40-yard completion. I love that about him. He's just got no flinch in him. That's really important at that position. You can let one play turn into a bad day."

While praising Leary, Doeren was also careful to same something positive about his other two quarterbacks -- talking up their work ethic and their acceptance of the reloving door at the starting position.

Doeren also said it's possible he will continue to use McKay in short yardage and red zone situations as he did, unsuccessfully, against Boston College.

"It really depends on the defenses we're going to have to face and how well they look in practice," Doeren said. "If we see some looks where we think the QB run game is something that will help us and the play actions that come off of it that Matt can do.

"We're going to try to do anything we can do to win. If that's part of it, then that's going to be part of it."