Mike Glennon's first August practice as N.C. State's starting quarterback wasn't much different than one during April.

Glennon, a fourth-year junior, did have a full, red beard, but other than that, it was business as usual Tuesday as the Wolfpack opened training camp for its first season in four years without Russell Wilson.

"I didn't really try to treat it any different," Glennon said.

He did notice a few more cameras following him as practice started before 4:30 p.m. in the summer heat.

And there was a No. 16 on the field, but it Jesse Riley, a walk-on cornerback, not Wilson.

Wilson led the Pack to a 9-4 record last season, his third as the starter, and finished his career at State with 8,545 yards and 76 touchdown passes. He transferred to Wisconsin, leaving Glennon in charge of an offense which returns six starters but has more questions than answers.

Glennon, who has been the starting quarterback in the past two years of spring practice but only has 52 pass attempts over three seasons, already has won over his teammates.

"Mike's the man," senior receiver T.J. Graham said.

Glennon, who's easy to find at 6-foot-6 and with a powerful arm, flashed his talent during an 11-on-11 drill. He hit tight end Mario Carter in stride between the linebacker and safety in the kind of throw Jon Gruden would drool over in his made-for-ESPN quarterback tutorials.

Graham, who has a history of dropped passes, picked up Glennon on one low throw during the same drill, making a sliding catch.

The first-team offense, which featured Curtis Underwood at running back and Steven Howard as the second receiver, had its issues, too.

One on play, Glennon broke the huddle with less than 11 players.

"That's one of coach (Tom) O'Brien's pet peeves," Glennon said.

And accordingly the first-team offense had to do "up-downs" at O'Brien's discretion.

"I thought we looked a little rusty, but we had some new guys out there," senior tight end George Bryan said.

Sophomore corner David Amerson left practice early with heat issues, which did not appear to be serious. Other than that, O'Brien was pleased with the start of his fifth season with the Wolfpack.

"It's one down and we've got 28 practices to get better," he said. "Camp is not a sprint, it's a marathon."

State won't practice in full pads until Saturday and will scrimmage Monday. O'Brien said the team will have only three two-a-day practices during the camp.

Notes: Bryan and defensive tackle J.R. Sweezy were named captains.

Bryan, a senior from Castle Hayne, was an All-ACC selection in 2009 and 2010. He caught 35 passes last season. Sweezy, a senior from Mooresville, was second on the team with six sacks last season.

The players vote on team captains.

"That's what I like about the way he select captains, the coaches have nothing to do with it," O'Brien said.

jp.giglio@newsobserver.com or 919-829-8938