The number of true freshmen N.C. State coach Dave Doeren has had to play has gone down in each of the past two years.
That’s a trend the fifth-year coach likes and one he hopes will continue with this signing class.
N.C. State added 19 scholarship players on Wednesday and seven more preferred walk-ons. The class ranks No. 10 in the ACC, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings, and No. 53 in the country.
In Doeren’s first two years, he used 12 true freshmen. That number dropped to nine in 2015 and just five last season. The chance to redshirt the bulk of each class gives Doeren and his staff a better chance to develop the players.