Glennon At QB – Much Ado About Nothing?
Mike Glennon (Photo: Mike Reeves/Pack Pride)
Going into spring practices, Mike Glennon was canonized by the media and some in the Wolfpack program as the heir apparent at quarterback. Now after a season of practice and the Kay Yow Spring Game, Head Coach Tom O’Brien says there’s no doubt in his mind that last year’s starter is coming back next year.
Russell Wilson has led the Wolfpack for several years now at QB. There’s no doubt that his decision making is solid and he’s earned his place as the starter. Coach O’Brien spent the entire spring catering to Glennon. Glennon got all of the reps. O’Brien even scheduled practices so that Glennon wouldn’t get worn out from all of the work at quarterback. There were rumblings that Glennon was working hard to earn his spot as the starter this fall. Now the official line out of Raleigh is that Wilson is not going to go pro even though the draft is this summer and Wilson’s eligible.
So where does that leave Mike Glennon? At least it’s not unfamiliar territory for him. Mike’s brother Sean lived quarterback controversy at Virginia Tech. Tyrod Taylor threatened Glennon’s spot as the starter when Taylor was a freshman, and in Glennon’s senior year, he was usurped by Taylor. Sean Glennon sat on the bench for most of his senior year and waited for an opportunity that really never came. At the least, Mike was able to learn from his brother’s trying experience.
Mike Glennon was a senior at Westfield High in Springfield, Virginia during his brother’s 2007 MVP season at Virginia Tech and Mike was a redshirt freshman at NC State when Sean sat for most of his senior season. Mike has learned to be ready for opportunity. If Russell Wilson decides to come back to the Wolfpack for another season, Glennon will have a chance to season a little bit more while out of the spotlight, but he plans to be ready if the opportunity to start ever surfaces.
Mike Glennon Gets Spring Reps for Wolfpack
Mike Glennon (Photo: AP/Gerry Broome)
NC State has to plan like they’re going to have a new QB next fall.
Mike Glennon, a heralded QB coming out of Westfield High School in Centreville, VA two years ago, has seen almost nothing but bench time in two years with the Wolfpack. Glennon was the #3 ranked QB in the country coming out of high school in the class of 2008 and has the bloodlines for QB since his older brother Sean was the starting quarterback for Virginia Tech before Tyrod Taylor. Now, because of the potential departure of two year starter Russell Wilson, NC State has to plan for the future.
Russell Wilson has played baseball and football at NC State. This year he will spend the entire spring and summer with baseball, which leaves Glennon as the man under center for all spring practices. If Wilson decides to stick with baseball at the end of the summer, the starting quarterback job could be Glennon’s come September. Wilson has now finished three years in college and could elect to play professional baseball instead of coming back to football with the Wolfpack.
Mike Glennon redshirted in his freshman year and ran the scout squad. Glennon served as a backup QB in his second season, but saw little action. He still has three years to play three seasons so there’s plenty of time for the future to play out. Glennon’s future may be now. The 6-7 220 QB saw playing time in seven games last season, but had only 39 passing attempts for the year.
Glennon will have no lack of targets as four key wide outs return from last year. All-ACC Tight End George Bryan will return as well. Bryan led the team with 40 receptions in the 2009 campaign. Strategically speaking, the Wolfpack should be in a good position for 2010. Glennon will be adequately prepared if he’s asked to take the reins as a redshirt sophomore. NC State could look forward to three seasons with Glennon as their starter. If Russell Wilson returns for his Junior season, the Wolfpack will have two able quarterbacks ready in the fall.