ACC Kickoff: NC State, UNC come in with high expectations after bumpy seasons

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WTVD) -- In exactly five weeks, NC State football will be back in action beginning a new season on the road at UConn.

After a year that was plagued by injuries that forced coach Dave Doeren to rely on four different starting quarterbacks, the Wolfpack is hopeful that they can bounce back and be in the conversation for an ACC championship.

"I think we performed really well last year," Doeren said on Thursday's final day of "ACC Kickoff" preseason media days. "I mean, there's never been a team in the history of college football win eight games with four quarterbacks."

The expectations are high in Raleigh.

"I think the ceiling is being the best in the league," Doeren said. "You know, that's our goal, and we can't control the stats and all the things outside of the ACC, you know? We've got to try to win the ACC."

With new offensive coordinator Robert Anae reunited with Virginia transfer quarterback Brennan Armstrong, State's offense has a good chance to be explosive.

Linebacker Payton Wilson is eager to hit the field again - and stay healthy after injury concerns the past two years.

The 6-foot-4 redshirt junior was an all-conference performer in 2020 after leading the league with 108 tackles. But, already coming off shoulder surgery, Wilson hurt his other shoulder in the second game of 2021 and missed the rest of the year.

Wilson also missed time early last season before finishing with 83 tackles. He said battling through those issues have given him a more mature mindset.

"That mentality that comes with that and just understanding that nothing is guaranteed in this life and you got to give your 100% every percent of the time," he said.