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RALEIGH - N.C. State's starting quarterback derby has been pared to Daniel Evans and Russell Wilson, and a final decision is at least a day away, coach Tom O'Brien said today.

O'Brien said true freshman Mike Glennon will redshirt and that Harrison Beck will be the third quarterback. Justin Boyle's decision to transfer to Louisville, revealed on Monday, thinned the herd slightly, but the process isn't complete.

O'Brien said he's waiting to make a decision until South Carolina, which hosts State a week from Thursday in the ESPN-televised season-opener, indicates it's ready to exchange film and other information. So, someone inquired, what if that request comes today?

"Then I'm not ready," O'Brien said.

None of the week's developments - Boyle's transfer and the decision to withhold Glennon from live competition - can be considered shocking.

In Boyle's case, the coaches were prepared enough for the possibility that they immediately offered the Louisville native their help in planning his next move. They said they understood the move and have parted without acrimony.

Glennon comes to the program with considerable acclaim, having earned Parade All-America honors at Westfield High School in Centreville, Va. O'Brien said he remains confident in the long-term promise of the player named the nation's third-best quarterback prospect by ESPN.

"While he's an exceptional talent, he's just not ready to handle some of the situations," the coach said. "That became apparent in the scrimmage prior to (Tuesday's.) We've gotten together with him and he's fine with that."

In other personnel issues, Josh Czajkowski, listed as the likely starter entering preseason, has secured the place-kicking job. The redshirt sophomore will be asked to fill the shoes of Steven Hauschka, who made 16-of-18 field-goal attempts overall and was 8-of-8 from distances of 40 yards or greater last year.

Contact Rob Daniels at 373-7028 or rob.daniels@news-record.com