The Replacements: Part 2, Offensive tackles

With seven players listed as out for the season and at least four more still uncertain of their return, the Wolfpack has had to turn to some new faces to fill the gaps.

Greg M. Cooper/USAToday sports

As is the case with its cornerbacks, the NC State football team is faced with the reality of playing its final five games without the two players originally projected to be its starters at offensive tackle.

The difference here is that one of those starters, Tyrone Riley, was lost before the season ever began, giving coach Dave Doeren and new offensive line coach John Garrison to groom a replacement. They were also fortunate to have a former four-star recruit who has seen previous game action in Emanuel McGirt ready to step in and fill the void at left tackle.

The situation became much more critical when starting right tackle Justin Witt injured his knee late in State's 31-13 loss at Florida State on Sept. 28 and was lost for the rest of the season.

Here's a look at the next men up at that position, how they're doing and what to expect from them over the final five games:

◼ Emanuel McGirt: Even though he's a graduate student who has been in the program since 2015, McGirt had been on the field for just 31 plays in 10 games for the Wolfpack prior to this season. He's started the first five games at left tackle and was the highest-graded offensive lineman on the team for the Ball State game. With the switch to left-handed Bailey Hockman at quarterback, he moved to the right side -- first off the bench against Syracuse before getting back into the starting lineup against Boston College.

◼ Ikem "Ickey" Ekwonu: A three-star prospect with a college-ready 6-foot-4, 305-pound body, Ekwonu was going to see action as a true freshman anyway after an impressive preseason camp. The timetable for his progress only accelerated when it was determined Riley wouldn't be available. The young Charlotte native played well in a reserve role behind both Witt and McGirt, then became the first true freshman to start a game at tackle for the Wolfpack since Rob Crisp in 2010 when he filled in for Witt against Syracuse. Although Ekwonu led the team with 18 pancake blocks going into last week's loss at Boston College, his inexperience showed against the bigger, more physical Eagles -- who manhandled the Wolfpack at the point of attack. The good news is that only one other upcoming opponent, Clemson, figures to present the same kind of physical challenge. But Ekwonu has also had trouble pass protection recently, allowing his first two sacks -- one in each game -- since entering the starting lineup.

◼ Bryson Speas: A 6-4, 290-pound redshirt sophomore, Speas has been a reliable jack-of-all-trades for the Wolfpack this season, seeing action as a backup at both guard and tackle. Since Witt's injury, however, he's settled in at tackle, starting on the left side against Syracuse and playing 49 plays in a reserve role at Boston College. Like Ekwonu, Speas has had his hands full since assuming a more expanded role. That's illustrated by State's difficulty running the ball, as well as the five sacks it has allowed over the past two games. Part of the problem may be that Speas is better suited to playing guard than tackle, but given the injury situation, Doeren and Garrison don't have a lot of other options.

So what might those other options be?

Converted redshirt freshman defensive tackle Derrick Eason, who has been on the field for 18 snaps in four games, is the only other play listed on last week's depth chart at either of the tackle positions. The only other possibility, other than moving someone over from guard, is redshirt junior Justin Chase -- who hasn't played since the Western Carolina game.

Tomorrow, we'll look at the situation at wide receiver and tight end, where injuries to a starter at each position has forced several young players into action.