2024.04.06 NC State Wolfpack Football Spring Game

right now Raleigh is the epicenter of College athletics in what is a wild weekend for the Wolfpack with both the women's and men's basketball teams in the final four DJ Burns has captured the country's attention and NC State looks to continue their Cinderella run on the hardwood later tonight but first all eyes on football head coach Dave Doran leads NC State into the annual Spring football game and the Wolfpack have a talent fil roster headline by transfer quarterback Grayson McCall we'll see him in a Wolfpack uniform for the first time in just a few minutes with that hi everyone Charles Arbuckle J alter with you we got basketball we got football everything going on this weekend for NC State and there is a palpable Buzz here on campus Jay this town is booming they know that their wolf pack have something special not only in basketball but football as well so it's exciting yeah this is a football team that this coming fall has a lot of expectations and a big reason why is the quarterback that they've brought into you know be the point guard if you will this coming season Grayson McCall was a guy that was an option guy in high school but he has shown so much at Coastal Carolina now transferring here 88 touchdowns 14 interceptions the one thing he can do is throw the football and use his legs effectively and he's got a wide receiver room and a running back room that's looking forward to get that distribution and let's welcome in Wolfpack head coach Dave Doran we were just talking about your new quarterback Grayson McCall coach how's his transition to your program this spring been oh it's great having him you know he's he's a commander he's a winner uh the guy understands what it takes you his process his daily work the way he treats people talks to people teammates he's jumped right in man and he's got a big chip on his shoulder so we love that about him and you'll see it today he's got great command of what he's doing coach when you talked earlier this week with us you talked about competitive depth tell us about that and how that's been with this team yeah you know as a coach you always want to have your starting group but you want guys trying to beat them out and that competition makes each other better and and then if you have something happen you know you have that next guy ready and through recruiting and development we've been able to do that we really had a lot of success in this last recruiting class adding a good group of freshman and transfers and filled some voids in our roster so it's exciting you know to get out on the field and see these guys the talent level and the competition yeah we're really excited to see that competitive depth on full display and couple of minutes I got to ask winning can be contagious in an athletic department you got two teams in the final four what's it been like on campus here this week There's yeah there's an energy here right now in the City Raleigh and uh so happy for those coaches and their teams obviously want to see the men pull it out with Purdue tonight and uh it's it's across the board you know you look at where our baseball teams ranked how wrestling finished another ACC Championship gymnastics another ACC Championship our tennis teams our men's uh and women swimming and Diving it's just B organ's done a great job leading our program and so that's the expectation here you know is to be a top 20 football team a top 20 everything and that's what we're looking forward to is continuing to build on that and ride the wave thanks coach really appreciate it all right thank you guys go pack did you hear coach Doran mention the expectation is to be a top 20 team well with the college football playoff expanding to 12 this roster absolutely can be in the mix for one of those 12 spots of the spring game affords us an opportunity to get a preview of The Fall you see the rules there running clock come the second half the quarterback's in black jerseys which means non contact and no tackling on the kickoff so not much excitement here for Colin Smith as he gets it started yeah I I think the biggest thing is working with your kickers but don't have anybody else out there it's just the returner and the kicker to get you going and get the juices started now this is a wolf pack program that finished the regular season with five straight wins Clemson Miami at Wake Forest at Virginia Tech and North Carolina Dave Doran you just heard it from him he expects to be a top 20 team and with the expanded college football playoff on the addition of Grayson Mcall as we get our first looking McCall in a Wolfpack uniform you expect them to pick up where they left off I really do I think offensive line if they can be healthy and get guys there they've got some people coming in but mall is a real key weapon for him and hey let's not forget your best guy that you can have as a running game Jordan Waters who we'll see early as well the transfer from duke there's a lot of good things happening for this offense Grayson McCall is a starter of that yeah McCall one of 13 transfers that Dave Dorne have brought in this spring and we get our first look Waters is another one the carry here takes that for a first down you see the flash of Jordan Waters spent 5 years at Duke had 12 touchdowns a year ago he's an NFL quality back oh man I saw him last year against Lafayette I saw him against Clemson last year he ran for about 123 against North Carolina State and then when you get a chance to get a guy like this to come over when you've had some you know challenges at the running back position this only helps you if you're Inc state [Applause] KY concepion in the back field as well he had 300 yds on the ground but with Waters in the backfield getting another carry he's really going to be a nice addition to this run game he really is because what he's going to do is just give you so much and then it'll open up for Wesley Grimes a guy that transferred from Wake Forest who makes plays as well I mean they're really excited about all the weapons that they brought in but Jordan Waters is a hand Hammer but he's also got the ability to go home run hitter and you can see him right there against NC State those guys were saying hey it didn't take him long to come over here and fall in love with us because we knew he could play we'd rather see him on our side than down the street and I think the important thing is too Charles is he's a proven ACC commodity he's done it in this league and they expect another successful season from him out of the back field Jay the one thing about him that I like when I watch film is his ability to get through that first guy a certain patience that he has and then he explodes through the hole if you're block if you're a lineman or tight end or anybody blocking for Jordan waters you know you give him a little space he will take it to the house and they got other guys on this roster that can do that as well three straight carries to start this spring game for Waters took it for 34 yards now Kendrick Raphael in the back field on the right hip of Mcall Mall set to throw for the first time in a Wolfpack uniform and it's right on the money for a first down that's what you're going to get from McCall you got the arm strength the ability to throw the ball over there you got all these you got the transfers on offense Grayson McCall we called his name quite a bit Jordan Waters but then you also have Zeke Carell who's out right now but he's going to be a really key person 10 starts last year for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and they're really excited about him when he can come back and play after spring NC State returns four starters on the offensive line Z Carell from Notre Dame the the one starter that this fall will be the new face but he comes with a great pedigree from Notre Dame great blocking from the offensive line plenty of room to run for Raphael shoved out of bounds inside the five we were just given love to the big boys up front they created quite the hole there look at this how they come off the ball those Ace and Deuce blocks on the inside and Raphael Just Hits it downhill another young man who's had a great spring but a really good year last year 309 yards rushing a touchdown the one key for MC State and we talked with Coach Gibson is we they got to be get better in the middle stopping the Run they've done that but they've got to get bodies there big bodies to hold up this offensive line is going to challenge them all spring like they have and in the fall as well Mall kept it himself good hustle right [Applause] there and they gave him the touchdown I was going to say it's contact he got a hand to him I think you got to rule him down yeah they want to give him a touchdown well that'll count in the fall yeah that coming off the edge blocking there and then you can see yeah he's like he now canid Lewis The Freshman linebacker from West Virginia yeah Lewis was like hey man I got to make a play on Grayson I I know I can't hit him but I can touch him he's down he really did a good job of getting over there scraping to that play the waters couldn't quite find The End Zone there defense has settled down Wyatt Wright coming off the edge weide linebacker they've got some young linebackers that we'll see Wright is one of them Bonner is another one uh really and Kelvin Mo McBride some young talented players because you had a really strong group of guys at the linebacker position uh up until this year now they've all transferred out or I mean graduated out and now you have to replace some of those guys third and goal trying to punch in Grayson McCall's first drive in a Wolfpack uniform and this def defensive front has done a lot better since they got inside the five here against the Run Waters was getting everything he wanted early well a little bit of it too is you know they're not doing as much up front as far as blitzing and you could see it was somewhat vanilla but then as they got down here there's some guys coming down in that 335 look where they're really filling those gaps making it hard for the running back to find anything on the interior and this is what a live scrimmage is all about a fourth and goal opportunity for your offense you get a chance to go live on live and you get the chance to really see what your guys can do especially on the [Applause] interior mcau play action back pedals and throws it perfectly to the back of the end zone a beautifully thrown ball to the tight end transfer Justin Jolie from Yukon they've been excited about him in the spring because of his ability to do that he had about 60 74 receptions during his time at Yukon and here's a nice job of the tight end getting out there sneaking out pass the the coverage is there Jackson Vic is trying to cover him but this is a perfect situation for a tight end eyes get big even up here and I haven't played tight end in a long time but that makes me excited for Justin Joe Lee well Joe Lee another one of these impact transfers that NC state has brought in so transfer to transfer Mcall to Joe Lee on the first drive of this spring game now 32 new players in all when you factor in the Freshman that were early in Roes so a lot that you're trying to blend together this spring and they look so far so good with a heavy heavy dose of Jordan Waters and Justin jool Lee you're going to see a lot of this this year it starts now and we'll be joined by the senior Captain Davin van when we come back they giving you a sneak preview of what's to come this fall here in Raleigh NC State a talent filled roster they went into the transfer portal offensively and getting their first look at some guys at a Wolfpack uniform Grayson McCall and this offense goes nine plays 75 yds down the field it scores a touchdown and we're joined by senior captain on the defensive line Davin van one of the standout returners for NC State and Davin I'm curious what are your impressions of all these new transfers freshman that you've been competing with this spring um I'm real impressed we got a lot of talent um it's kind of just up to us to you know take advantage of what we got and you know improve on what we need to improve on Davin I got to ask you you and your brother he's a center you're a defensive lineman how much did you guys go after each other as kids you know teenagers and even now you know all the time uh that's a great question uh I think that's where we really get our competitive Spirits from you know having a little brother that's so close in age to you you always want to be better than him he always wants to be better than you so we always used to go at it and we still do you know now wolf pack fans are getting their first look at CJ Bailey The Freshman quarterback out of Miami as we're joined by defensive lineman Captain Davin van I'm curious you're around this defensive group you're a leader on that side of the ball going against these offensive players every single day how does that help each other and strengthen each other when there's so much talent on one team both sides of the ball I mean it helps us a lot um a great example of that jakarius Peak you know me and Peak used to go against each other when he's on Scout team and we still go against each other now but um just the Improvement that he's had you know it's it's a testament to what iron sharpens iron means so I think that having great tal on both sides is just helping us get better DAV what about all the basketball around here I played ho growing up I'm sure you and your brother did I know he was a wrestler but if you didn't play What's the excitement around this basketball program men and women I mean it's real exciting just seeing you know people we know that we go to school with and them representing our school so well it just real exciting youo March Madness I think we're going to see that on football now with the college football playoff expanding to 12 has that been talked about in your locker room hey let's make a run of our own let's get in be a top 12 team and see what happens with the new cfp yeah that's been real that's been a real important um big run CJ Bailey showing off the Wheels that's a freshman to keep an eye on real impressive but um you know one 12 has been a huge thing that we've been focusing on um of course we won't be number one but you know being top 12 is one of our goals that's awesome what about CJ Bailey right there I mean he's been a guy that I've heard a lot of Buzz about what have you seen from him so far this spring you know he's real CJ Bailey's real impressive um he's long he's got a lot of talent um he knows how to make good decisions and I think that he has a really really bright future and just here and football in general thanks for the time Davin thank you Davin van the senior Captain anchoring the defensive line appreciate the inside and CJ Bailey in this back Young Guns Duke's got two freshman how about the bright lights on the Freshman for the first time in a Wolfpack uniform and those two look terrific there CJ Bailey I watched some highlights from him in high school and I was impressed with his arm slot and that's the first thing you started hearing about him but also his legs he's 66 and he looks he's faster than he looks right there one move down the field and I'm going I'm making sure I can get by you in the long strides and it's taking guys a chance look he gets caught but they can't tackle him here but I thought this was really really nice by him this first drive of all the things you've been hearing about Grayson McCall hey CJ is saying hey don't forget about me I was a two-time player of the year in the State of Florida now and that's what's so great about the spring game as you get to see your first look at what's to come and it's two freshman CJ Bailey the quarterback Duke Scott the running back finishing off the [Music] Drive Grayson McCall his first throws in an NC State uniform right on the money he looked really good on that opening drive and then the freshman you got to remember this name CJ Bailey what a bright future he has in Raleigh a 60 yard Scamper which set up a touchdown so so far and it's very early at this spring game some new faces that we've heard a lot about it's one thing hearing about him another thing seeing it yeah and I mean I think they get a chance to go in a stadium where they've practiced and had scrimmages but now you have fans you have more of what it's going to feel like this is never going to be the game but it allows you now a chance to get at least close to the game as possible to understand what you'll feel and you saw that with CJ Bailey Grayson McCall 42 starts on his career he's used to this but he still you still there's a certain Buzz no matter how long you played you get ready for a football game clean pocket Mcall fires a dart and plenty of room to run to for a first down darari Collins that's his second grab in the spring game you know interesting in talking to the coaching staffs and just getting the understanding you know Robert and I talked about doing the Deep dive in the offseason looking for perimeter skill players to add to the ones they had right score points Advance the ball and then find the best quarterback available Grayson McCall was that guy that they brought in and that gave them gave them an opportunity to really get things moving in the right direction on the offensive side of the football yeah both the running back room and the wide receiver room have so much quality you heard Dave Doran say competitive depth so you have all these weapons came out late but oh yeah sorry about that you have all these weapons you need a quarterback to to utilize him and they bring in Mcall who's a proven commodity three-time Sun Belt Player of the Year a lot of reps under his belt now he gets to do it in the ACC and he comes into this league with a chip on his shoulder because he was not recruited by any ACC teams and he played his high school ball here in North Carolina well the last few years if you haven't seen Grayson McCall I don't you you missed a guy that can make a lot of plays and he was just phenomenal in that Coastal Carolina offense and then now to see him here getting a chance to do this get outside look to throw get rid of the football that's a veteran guy everyone's covered there but his ability to throw off schedule is one thing that jumps out on film when you watch him he's able to do that but he's never it never seems to panck it he just seems calm about doing things and I think that's what you find in talking to Robert and I and you know they had renan Armstrong who was a really good player for him and now he leaves and then you get another guy that you can replace who can probably come in and what did he keep saying 11 on 11 football he liked how he was able to work in that environment Hollywood Smothers into the back field gets this carry bounces it outside check out the speed Hollywood Smothers hey you could see the difference in guys moving and Hollywood Smothers was gone transfer out of Oklahoma watch the boom out of West Charlotte golly problem for the defensive guys they're coming up thinking hey it was whoever else was there kind of had speed but then they didn't anticipate how quickly he got up on him he's got a great name but an even better game in another one of these impact transfer that are North Carolina natives you know Noah Rogers Wesley Grimes Hollywood mothers they're North Carolina kids that went away to start went into the transfer portal and decided to come home well and a lot of it too is what the connection between the staff and these guys knowing that they would be able to talk to him got a player down hopefully he's just nothing serious and you can see guys going after the football almost gave it up TM tamarcus KY with the real good job of trying to punch that out it's Jaylen Parker the red shirt junior middle linebacker down for NC State we'll step away on to the next and welcome back to the NC State spring game Charles Arbuckle J Al with you up in the booth down on the field Aiden white lock down Corner senior for this NC State team joining us now is you know the offense has looked better than the defense so far Aiden I know you being a shutdown Corner won't be happy about that uh what are your impressions of of these guys early on yeah I say first day of spring offense came out humming with new quarterback new receivers new running back so as a whole I say offense look real complete and they definitely we're definitely competing every day we go back and forth and offense had they didn't had a lot of good days this spring I could say ayen how do you go against guys I mean cuz this is a new receiving crew KC was there but you got darari who's who's been here and then all the transfers that have come in how does that help you improve your game each and every day yeah I say they all of them have a different skill set that they're good at so just knowing who who you guarding and who's out there but they all give you something different which is good you can line up against multiple different people and you're not getting the same look every time so as a DB you appreciate something like that break some of those guys down for us let's start with KC what's it like going against him uh going against KC oh we need that Jolly going against KC he real Shifty if you don't get hands on him it's like nothing really can do y'all y'all seen that last season as a freshman that's before he even got to work with the receivers coach any that stuff so I'm excited for bro what about Jordan Waters coming in I mean from duke you guys struggled against him when he played y'all last year now you have him on your sideline yeah don't don't remind me about that but I'm I'm definitely glad he with the good guys now so uh he's real patient in the back field and when he see it he'll hit it and he's not no arm tackle you can bring down you going to have to bring multiple uh Defender just to bring him down and he still probably get gain extra yards so that's great Insight from Aiden white one of the best corners in the ACC I'm curious about your game you know you enter the transfer portal withdraw to stay here NC State one of the best shutdown Corners in the country why was it important for you to return to the wolf pack it just building something good here we got a great group of guys had good even better guys coming in just a good supporting role all in all so just to complete the whole season go win ACC Championship make it to the college playoffs and I feel like we can do that here hey and one thing too Tony Gibson has been here a long time having him as your d-coordinator how has he been to help you improve your game as well when you just have a coach that just that smart and call such great call it just help you it just really put you in a better position to make the play whenever you can so he said that all the time he going to get a call and he going to put us in position the best possible position for us to make the play and I I think that I would say that goes out to show on the field hey a lot of attention about Grayson McCall the quarterback that's been brought in here uh everyone talks about how accurate he is have you been able to pick him off in Spring ball I say Grayson I don't even think Grayson threw a pick this wow like when I say when I say he real pois and you can't it's hard to bait him he a veteran quarterback like some of them young guys you can bait cuz they ain't seen it but he's seen it he going to take the check down when it's there he going to just take what you give him he he's real veteran so I like I'm glad for bro well that's frustrating for you this spring but this fall that's going to be great to watch when your offense takes the field right n no doubt I'm excited for them boys awesome Aiden white thanks for the time we really appreciate it appreciate yeah he's a future NFL quarterback no doubt about that yeah yeah and and and the ability and Aiden broke some of those things down what you have is how how do you look at working against yourself and then getting prepared to play others I think is really the key with spring and for him to be able to not allow a touchdown in a league like the ACC where you have some really good talented players that's a testament to his ability as well Mall just perfectly threads the needle his accuracy has to be his best quality it's Collins again on the reception I'm telling you I went back and just looked at last year when he was playing app State and an Arkansas state right here this delay route is one that receivers love because the quarterback can bait him into thinking the DB thinking that he's going to go deep then he throws that quick strike underneath the real key for him is just he finds his receivers open and he gets the ball to them where they can run I was looking at Isaiah Lively when he was coming out and all those big plays he had at Coastal Carolina due to Grayson Mcall it was all you could see it from every year you watched him play to how well he could throw the football after people thought he couldn't do that coming out of high school and all the talk of the offensive weapons Andy State also a new kicker this season Canoa vinet knocks that through it's Spring football just beginning here across the ACC six more games highlight our Spring football schedule next Saturday on acc Network ACC Network extra and ESPN plus you don't want to miss Ma Brown North Carolina's all access practice starting us off at 10:00 a.m. eastern so you can wake up and watch three or four spring games throughout the day what's better than that uh po per of games you can watch a little hoop later but for sure watch football first and then next week it won't be any basketball so yeah I you know it was good also to you and I had a chance to catch up with Ruffin mcneel before and uh he had some real good things to say just about how this program has been built it was all good to talk about all those guys and what they've been able to bring and how this consistency of coaching staff has stayed together as well I think that's the incredible thing Dave Doran year number 12 here at NC State in a changing evolving landscape of College athletics you know he kept every single coach on his staff from last season to this season and 340 years of coaching experience on that sideline they've seen a lot man they have seen a lot now they Dave Doran has to be happy with how his new faces look you know 13 transfers 19 early and rolly freshman and a lot of them getting involved first quarter in the books we've still got a lot of football here in Raleigh [Music] well an awesome weekend here in Raleigh two teams in the final four on the women's and men's side and then the spring football game here today right down the road tomorrow some lacrosse so you got all these Sports overlapping at once a top three matchup number one Notre Dame at number three duke you do not want to miss it tomorrow noon Eastern Time on acc Network we start to the second quarter and we've already seen some flashes of Brilliance here between these new faces for NC State CJ Bailey is one of them the Freshman quarterback scampered for a 60 yd run in his first drive in a Wolfpack uniform and they are really high on this freshman from Florida they really are I mean and it's it's good for him to come in with a guy like Grayson McCall who has so much experience to be in that quarterback room Lex Thomas also a guy that's been injured but they say he's having a good spring uh but but this has really been a a young man they've been excited about since he's gotten on campus and for NC State fans and you know the coaching staff you know what you have in the returners you know guys like Davin van and Shawn Brown Aiden white all on the defensive side of the ball but you bring so much talent in on the offensive end as Bailey again decides to run it and this is you know the fans real first opportunity to get a taste of all the talent that they've been reading about that they've been hearing about the hardest thing is when you have so many different people coming in to get them to bond together and work together and I think that's the part that's you know Dave Dorne and his staff have to continue to do even because they got a couple of more guys coming in Fall that's true when you have the the two Auburn transfers that come in so just getting them to mesh together is always difficult so how do you do that you got to do things that are strategic in how you approach getting guys together bonding getting them over to different effect and functions and making sure that they they not only do it organically but sometimes it's a coaching staff you have to kind of create that help them if you have something at your house you invite not only your position group but other position groups you're just getting different things so these guys can get accustomed to each other and every Wednesday actually they get the first year guys together so that's the freshman and the transfers and they do something called first year focus and that's to get everybody bought in you know to the principles of this program because they've got the blueprint this is a team that's been productive you know one of five programs in the power five conferences that have won eight or more games the last four seasons so Dave Doran has the formula it's just getting the new guys caught up to speed yeah the only team that's won more than them is Clemson in the ACC over the last five years 34 games they've won Clemson has won maybe one or two more but that just goes to show you consistency of how you win and then the other thing last year that down the stretch those last five games not the bowl game but the last five games what they were able to do is really impressive against Clemson against Miami against UNC you know they were able to win some games on the road and I think that's going to be critical if you look at this year because in early year early part of the year you get Western Carolina then you've got Tennessee Louisiana Tech and then you're at Clemson you're going to know early how well your team is going to play I told totally agree with you and Dave Dorne said the expectation top 20 program I think a lot of we've heard from the players they expect to be in the mix for the college football playoff now that they've expanded to 12 you said it Buck Tennessee on September 7th Clemson on sept September 21st those two games will determine whether the wolf pack are going to be in that playoff or not yep you'll see that tennessy game that's in Charlotte the Duke Mayo classic kickoff whatever they're going to call it but you know it's going to be there and then after that you've got a sandwich game with Louisiana Tech and then Clemson I think early on if you can show that you can do the things that you need to you give yourself a real good chance to get into uh later into that stretch and show what you can do I'm still adjusting to seeing Stanford and cow on an AC schedule yeah I mean being a pack 10 now Pack 12 guy understanding that League it just doesn't it it doesn't seem right right now just like you LA and UFC Washington Oregon in the Big 10 Grayson Mcall and the first team offense starting from Their Own 2yd Line Jordan Waters is such a weapon you can't say enough good things about Waters a huge addition in this backfield and they're going to need him early in the season Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte taking on the vs yeah I think this is going to be a critical game I mean you know what Tennessee is going to bring they're fan Bas is really there's a lot of Tennessee volunteer fans in that Charlotte area there's a whole lot of NC State Wolfpack fans so I'm really looking forward to that buzz in the city in September what do you think it won't be blue half orange half red I think it'll be I think it'll be half and half yeah I really do I I think there's going to be a lot of Buzz for for both programs I know Tennessee you know obviously likes their quarterback but I think the better quarterback in that game will be Grayson McCall well unless the wolf pack say they just want to take it over and it's 7030 now you know what I I do think that too I think when you have a quarterback like Grayson mall he gives you that Advantage the one thing here that we talked about and na even said they have to continue to improve their defensive front and that's going to be a really critical factor I think the offensive line Looks like if everyone stays healthy they'll be good there those are the things that get you excited cuz you can come out of spring looking one way and then fall if you have anything that sets you back I think these guys looking at it and saying we got a chance to be really good a couple of flags on this possession false start offense number 66 that's what spring is for right working out the cadences new quarterback with this returning offensive line yeah Matt mccab was walk-on scholarship guy just moving just a little early but he's played really well for him yep he's battling for that you see him the little lunge how to carry North Carolina that left guard position is one that Anthony Carter Jr is not playing and he's in the B is a battle for that that guard position Mcall decides to take a timeout it's been great to see Grayson Mcall living up to the hype fouryear starter at Coastal Carolina now in the ACC with NC [Music] state joined Now by defensive coordinator of the wolf pack Tony Gibson and during the NC State spring game here coach I'm just curious Impressions so far and Impressions through the spring of your defensive group yeah I really like where we're at right now our kids are uh you know we have a standard to live up to here on defense and uh you know the guys in the past have built a really good brand and you know we want to continue that obviously today you're not going to see a whole lot uh we're staying pretty simple and uh got a lot of guys out so uh that we aren't playing with but uh you know I like I like where our kids are at like their attitude like the way they approach it every day yeah coach I know you don't like to see big passes given up there but I go to the defensive front we see your guys in a battle in the defensive tackle position DN what if you had big Burns playing on one of those one of those positions I know I I I mean I know he doesn't want to but I could say you would want him to yeah i' love I'd love for him to come in and give us a little bit of depth at nose guard I don't know if he's a DN he's athletic enough to be but uh with that big body we'll put him in there at nose guard and let him wear a center out so uh but no I'm I'm looking forward to watching those guys tonight too by the way that's it's exciting time around Raleigh right now I was just going to ask you we didn't get the invite but I understand cuz y'all are going to have fun and I'm I'm looking forward to it as well when you get back to what what you've seen with your defense just all the way around not the front but the guys that we talked about the battles at the linebacker position how have those gone for you this spring uh really good Kaden forom is a guy with a lot of experience uh along with Devon Betty uh Kamal boner Kellon McBride so so those guys are all playing at a high level right now and competing and then obviously Shawn Brown that we moved in from free safety is going to give us depth we're holding him out today so uh not going to get to see him but but really like where our room's at we got some other help on the way that will be here in May so uh but but extremely uh proud of how those guys work and you know the biggest question I always have to answer how you going to replace pyton Wilson well for the whole nation it's no surprise we're not he he's a guy that's uh you know you can't replace that but you know just excited for these guys to get an opportunity and uh keep working well part of filling you know Wilson's shoes is is that decision to bring Shawn Brown down from safety to linebacker and you mentioned we won't see him today I'm curious how has he settled into that new role really well and and with our scheme our free safety was a guy that that fits the Run game with those backers knows a lot of the calls so you know they're they're all kind of married up with our nickel our free safety in the package we run so he's you know it's not unfamiliar for him and just really really proud of him and how he's worked and the transition he's made and he'll do anything for this football team and that's the kind of guys we have Coach you got to get your defense to pick uh Grayson Mcall off they've even Aiden white said hey we've we've struggled against picking him off I think you guys may have had one what is it that makes him so special and gives you guys has a great look every single day yeah Grayson is a you know he's got great pocket presence uh you know he understands the game uh reads defenses really well and and you know we're different I mean we drop eight out in the coverage and he still does a really good job of taking care of the ball and he's patient he's going to take his check Downs at times and not try to force the ball in so you know he's uh he's very heading uh did you know he's going to be a great player for us and you're looking forward to keep watching him grow in this package now we appreciate the time coach enjoy the rest of this football game and enjoy the basketball tonight yep can't wait going to have a couple coaches over rooting on the pack and uh you know let's get a big one all right coach take care all right thank you guys and that's the thing you talk to players you talk to coaches you talk about the kids that were walking in the game yesterday and it was the The Buzz around the pack you know it's just it's great it it really is the epicenter of College athletics right now both football and basketball at Jordan w continues to shine in Raleigh during this spring game 23 yd touchdown he's a problem and and I think this offensive line look at the blocking here they're going to pull and you have guys in front of them and he makes one move and down heill and then easy you're not it takes more than one guy to bring him down and Aiden White had the breakdown I talked about it earlier the patience in the back field and then the explosion through the hole and he's not going to go down with one guy when I've watched him consistently this is what he's done this is who he is you heard Aiden white shut down Corner earlier today said I'm glad he's with us because last year he torched us when he played for Duke he just has a certain ability that is next level you can see it stay healthy and he can catch the ball out of the back field and he's really good in pass Pro on the college level and he's got the proven pedigree you know he's done it at this level 12 touchdowns a year ago in the ACC now he's moves from Durham to Raleigh right down the road he's got seven carries 69 yds and a touchdown he's been the star of the Wolfpack spring game so far now with NC State's basketball team making this amazing run to the final four that is the Talk of the Town and really the country DJ Burns we decided to have a little fun college basketball to n fell pipeline because if you saw Burns walking across campus you would think he's a football player not a basketball player Jimmy Graham Julius Peppers Antonio Gates you know guys that could play Tony Gonzalez another one that just and most of them tight ends and look and Jim Nagi with anyone else having trouble watching NC State big man DJ Burns and not thinking about him kick sliding and pass row or getting out on pools can't just with me I responded to that me and Jim went back and forth but man you you you got to imagine a guy like that on campus thinking how many times has Dave Dorne and the staff tried to go and recruit him so what do you think his best position would be because we just talked to Tony Gibson the defensive coordinator that wants to put him at nose tackle but I I I'm with naggie I see him more of a a tack left tackle right tackle especially with his hands and how he moves I think tackle would be probably better for him but he's going to do the right thing and play basketball doubt ultimately is much better for his body so this spring game you know for Wolfpack fans this is the appetizer because the Final Four game against Purdue is later tonight but what a fun weekend you got the women in Cleveland last night making it to the final four losing to undefeated South Carolina they played great in that first half and then the men's basketball team playing later tonight and then a little preview of a football team that is highly anticipated next fall yeah you got a new quarterback in Lex Thomas who's playing now he's one of those other young guys but this is a lot of excitement around not only the quarterback position but all the other skill weapons that you see that have been brought in here third and five for Thomas here in his first drive of the spring game pressure coming get rid of it quickly a couple of broken tackles and a first down balls out and NC state has it defensively it's funny Jay I was going to say it's been a pretty clean game but that was one right there the ball pops loose and it's Kelvin McBride who is in perfect position to scoop it up a talented linebacker that they're very excited about here and Anderson one of those young receivers who's really good but you can see the ball getting batted out right there really nice job by Cory kohley getting that ball out and then McBride he talked a lot this week about the McBride Factor how good he's going to be play linebacker and wide receiver and High School know really athletic player and that gives Grayson McCall favorable starting field position here so working with a short field for the first time after on the previous drive they started from their own two- yd line [Applause] a little trickery Mall delivers inside the 10 it's the tight end Justin joliee after some trickery in the back field yeah there's a lot of stuff going on eye candy so to speak Grayson Mall gets going to get it back and then when he does he knows Jolie is out there all by himself coverage when you see all of that Wyatt right may have been the guy that should have been there but watch here you're going to see all the movement and then that tight end just sneak out there has to be man coverage and generally the person running behind late may be the one that needs to be there or the over the safety over the top really good trickeration by Robin and I gain of 40 sets up a first and goal and the Run game continues to deliver Raphael that time punching it in two plays and a touchdown for Grayson McCall in this NC State first team offense offensive line has really done a nice job creating holes for these running backs and part of it too is like what you want to see is how your guys just come off of blocks not doing anything fancy uh you'll see this defense that'll have a lot of different run blitz they'll be doing a lot of different things but right now you just want to see guys winning those upfront battles and right now the offensive line is on a really nice job of that now that's what Wolfpack fans will be hoping to see this coming fall you get the turnover on defense and your offense turns around and immediately cashes it in for points yeah you want to take anytime you get the ball back you want to come back and make it happen like this and when your offensive line comes off the ball look at those red jerseys locking up the white Raphael just says hey I had never had an easier touchdown than this but I'm going to take it to the [Music] house now on the previous possession great look at this fumble caused by Cory Coley the transfer from Maryland and they are very high on this corner well when you have a chance and you know how to play the game you're going to get blocked but watch The Hustle then he gets down the field and able to punch the ball out as a receiver you that's the worst place you can be but for a defensive guy to hustle and show that that shows up on film those are the kind of teaching points that coaches want to have in games like this defensive coordinator Tony Gibson told us he is really happy with his secondary obviously Aiden white who we spoke to earlier is the standout at corner but Brandon Cay and Cory Coley providing some really nice depth at the quarterback position yeah and a really good job now right here you can't push the quarterback you can touch him but that's a little bit more of a a boner boner knows like okay I want to get to you but you got to slow your slow your roll he had five games he played last year four during the season and then the bowl game doesn't count so he was able to red shirt last year they're expecting a lot out of 34 you can see why on that oh he's got quickness off the edge and great Instinct as well clean pocket this time Thomas overthrows it well he spent a lot lot of time talking about the wolf pack offensively and rightly so because there's probably more additions on that side of the ball but when you take a look at this NC State starting defense going against Lex Thomas right now what stands out to you as the strengths of this defensive Group Well I really think that secondary is I mean you don't have Aiden white but you know he's going to be there just the guys that have made some plays already that secondary and then the young linebackers I'm interested to see how they step in and and mesh now that they've had some losses in this Sean Brown who's not playing but I heard he had a really good spring is also one of the key areas for this team they're going to have to short up on the inside no doubt about it because any you you can't have enough big guys interior you just can't have enough of those guys last season one of the best defenses not just in the ACC but in the entire country so big shoes to fill especially with no Payton Wilson they're in the linebacker core well what they do a good job of and they've done this since Tony Gibson has been here is call in turnovers and then just really not allowing teams to to have positive plays at times they've had so many different tackles for loss since his time they've been 10th in the FBS averaging about 83.4 per season so they get you in negative yardage right away and it makes it tough for you to kind of get out of those holes I just think you look up and down this roster and there's so many units that are strong I think the expectation will be to be at the top of the ACC and to compete and be one of those teams in the mix for the expanded college football playoff yeah I I really do I think that's right away you think this team is going to have some ability coming out of it especially with all the folks that have come in on the offensive side and and you know Robert and I talked about it we need explosive players and they've gotten some of those KC or Kevin concepion was one of the guys they had to use in the running game in a pass game they can still do that but selectively now because you have others that can make plays for you on the outside it conceps you on the ACC rookie of the year but he had to do it all at times now there's a lot of depth in those running back in wide receiver rooms CJ Bailey bobbles the snap and he's getting his first run with the ones Grayson McCall's day is done debut for the wolf pack here in the spring game 11 of 14 68 yards at a touchdown he looked pretty good yeah just a normal day at the at the office but really good when you when you joined the team and you're trying to mess with them and and they're understanding pretty quickly how well you can play and we saw what bayy could do playing with the second team now he gets his first shot playing with the ones yes it's always good when you're able as a young player to finally get that chance to get with the ones to understand what that speed is going to look like a little bit different than what you've been playing and accustomed to and you're seeing the arm strength here Bailey taking a deep shot Falls incomplete we mentioned a lot of the new faces Charles but this is who's coming back for NC State yep conceps on you can see from a rush and a receiving standpoint the Cari Collins another guy that stands out Raphael who we just saw with that touchdown run and Shawn Brown who they're really expecting some good things you see the loss of production with pton Wilson but I still think you have some of these young guys and like you said you're not going to replace one guy Jaylen Scott also played really well for him but you can see the people that are coming back really going to play play a big role bayy getting great protection from this veteran offensive line unit and that time puts it right on the money Noah Rogers the transfer from Ohio State originally from Raleigh back home making plays like this really good catch and just nice pocket protection there very clean the passing window there and I'll tell you what Canon Lewis has shown up quite a bit it might have been one that they would said helmet to helmet during the season but I what I've seen with Canon Lewis is one of those young linebackers trying to show up and Flash and he's been there the Freshman out of West Virginia and I said Grayson Call's day is done but he's actually back in they run the reverse to concepion check out the speed KC conception weaving through this defense and you see why he was the ACC Rookie of the Year last fall Jay you Al also need guys to block down the field and watch this you're going to see so many lock up Dante Daniels on the end there but downfield blocking by receivers locking guys up that allows big plays to happen you can see coming in looking PE for people jool Lee right there another uh receiver coming Ballwin trying to pick up a block they're all knowing that hey if I give this guy just one little room or one little inch he's going to take it so ba Bailey back in as Mcall just came in for the one play that sails over the head of KC concepion bileo want that one back that's a if he gets that right to him on that pass play right there that's a touchdown easy for concepion SNAP was a little bit off but all you have to do is just put it out there and let him go make the play he already had the the defensive back beat that's one that bayy will look back and say that all I need to do is just give you the ball and let you go with it well as a freshman early in Roy that's what the spring is for oh yeah I mean and that happens that's that's why you want him in with with the guys that are going to be be potentially making a play so if he gets a chance he'll know how to hit them in the right spots to get them set up for Success now the arm strength not a question a bullet to the end zone Wesley Grimes on the receiving end can't do it any better than that for the early enroll Le freshman CJ Bailey slinging theor ball I like the short memory he didn't connect on the other one he came right back with a strike again really good pass protection and look at this throw I mean on the moneyo yeah that was nice and really good job by Grimes of just running that route and beating the defensive back leaving him right there tank Boston had no chance tank Boston played offense and defense in high school he's still adjusting to that secondary spot he's going to be a really good player as well he's getting to see Wesley Grimes taking a little bit of that experience right at [Applause] him now in this first half the first team offense has been dialed in from the jump Grayson McCall CJ Bailey both getting it done should be a fun fall for this offense in Raleigh well we saw the legs of CJ Bailey and now getting some reps with the first team on the first pass sailed on him the very next play Buck how about this respon Miss on that one but he came right back with a nice strike to Grimes and we're going to see some of that if you know at at times I'm sure they're going to give him some ability to make some plays in certain games to get him comfortable or Lex Thomas whoever gets that second spot but you can see there the ability from C J Bailey a three for five through the air for 50 yds at a touchdown that you just saw and then four carry 73 yards for Bailey what a debut it's been for the Freshman all the attention on Mcall but Bailey looking equally impressive during the spring game and I'll say both offensive lines have been excellent in this first half opening up some big holes of Duke Scott The Freshman runs through that one yeah just all they need is a little bit everybody that good block on the inside by Cayman Smith and then downhill by Scott all you need is that one right there they're going to bring it back from a holding call I didn't see the hold on the ring I didn't either I didn't either they and it was a little bit late a big run of 38 yds negated Brandon Cleveland probably got held up at the defensive interior but yeah yeah he's trying to get away and then disengage and yeah that's a hold but Duke will say hey it's still on tape for me I had a great another one of these bright freshmen that early enrolled and have gotten a lot of Praise throughout this spring [Applause] camp now tomorrow it's an ACC Softball double header right here here on acc Network number 13 Virginia Tech taking on ATC State and then it's North Carolina squaring off against number two Duke softball double header right here on acc network coverage begins at 5 Eastern I also like what coach mcneel said earlier too about one more you know guys coming in the office and just saying you know understanding what they need to do to get better each and every day I think that's what these kind of games give you but it also helps you understand how PRS are being built yeah to elaborate on that you know this NC State program every single day they ask every single player what's your one more today and if everybody accomplishes that you make sure that you get better each and every day they report it to their position coach and Dave Doran if he comes up to you and says what's your one more you got to answer quickly have your elevator speech better be quick it can't be any hesitation and has to be quick a program that has had eight or more wins in four straight Seasons you look at this roster and you just feel like with so much talent this is a 10- win team if not more I think they'll be in the college football playoff conversation I guess just looking in the ACC who's the biggest competition to ncate who would you put in that top tier right I mean automatically you think Clemson right Clemson just because of what they've been able to do over the last few years but that's the thing with this who else is going to have this influx of transfers who's going to have some other people that come in and stabilize their program as well Florida state is another one they they lost quite a few but they also are going to have quite a few coming back you know uh Louisville was really strong last year so you know I'm looking at those teams at the top and those are the ones that stand out right away and then maybe out of the bottom who do you expect to to LEAP up and and improve you know that that'll be an interesting thing you know as I look at that list it's always a surprise team and and it always kind of comes back to who you know who is who hasn't been there but who's kind of coming up could it be pit you know just you know it's it's there's so many different factors and that's why I want to see these spring games to see who has got an influx of this Talent level that is there and who's now going to take that next step know some new head coaches in the ACC as well I think maybe one of those three teams Syracuse Boston calger Duke could be the the sleeper and then you got the C and Stanford equation also I mean you know so there that's that's why this is going to be a different kind of year because you got an influx of new teams coming in but you've also got these teams that we have seen last year and what are we expecting them to do and improve on for next year you mentioned those three new coaches in the ACC Fran Brown coming over from Georgia Manny Diaz the Penn State defensive coordinator and then Bill O'Brien coming back to college from the NFL and I think you and I talked about it Syracuse had some some stretches where they played some pretty good football Fran Brown is also brought in a influx of talent Manny has to sh things up there they lost some people we see Jordan Waters as one of them here Bill O'Brien always has been good as an offensive guy what is Boston College going to have this year is going to be interesting so those are the things with those coaches that they have to figure out right away feels like every year so many new coaches so much instability in college football then you look at Dave Doran year number 12 here is the head coach at NC State he has so much continuity year in and year out on his coaching staff they've got 340 years of coaching experience Mcall back into the game beautiful throw on the run you know he's got some escapability to his game yep and he's always looking to throw the ball when he's escaping that that's a prime example when you have field like that he says okay how can I get the ball to a weapon as opposed to me just taking off and running and I'm going to keep this Play Alive last second get rid of the football and get it to a receiver and he gets an opportunity to get some live on live in a two-minute drill situation he has been a star in this first half of the spring game takes the check down there part of it the offensive line has given him a lot of protection he's been clean in the pocket so to speak what's the biggest adjustment for mcau coming over from four years at Coastal Carolina now competing in the ACCC getting consistent with your team I don't think it's even the ACC because understanding but it it it is learning who he's going to play but I think the hardest part is making sure you have the consistency with your guys so when you go battle other people you're ready for that you know you're comfortable you've been in a place where you know the the the lay of the land now you're coming in a place where you don't know all these teams you don't know what they're going to do differently each and every week like you did when you were a coastal and NC stain elects to use a timeout to prevent the clock from dwindling here 46 seconds left to the first half giving McCall and this first team offense an opportunity at a two-minute drill you know he one thing we also have to say Kurt roer who's his uh quarterback coach has got a lot of experience in the ACC as well and there been at you know was at Duke before it's been other places so he'll be able to help this quarterback room itself really understand what they're in for and Robert and I having the experience at being at Virginia and being here now understanding the ACC as well I think that that bods well for anybody playing the quarterback position how would you grade him today as advertised y nice EAS yeah I mean it was it was he he had already taken the you know he knew the notes and everything to the test and he took it and I like what Tony Gibson said about him even when we drop eight meaning they have eight men in coverage he still finds the holes and that's the patience and the things that you saw uh he doesn't throw the ball he doesn't turn the ball over much 88 touchdowns 14 interceptions so protects the football and I think that's the one thing you want to have when you have a quarterback whether he's a experienced guy or a young guy Hollywood Smothers again this is a stable of backs Dave Doran said this is the first time in his 12year tenure that they have had a stable of backs at this Talent level one thing you worry about is do they have a football enough for all those but they can do a two back situ they can do a lot of things with the the weapons that they have in that backfield well Robert and I offensive coordinator who we will hear from at the start of the third quarter he said he's even got some three back sets yeah yeah I can see it they certainly have the talent to go along with it it's just about how do you bring all this Talent together yeah I think it it starts with a guy that has a lot of experience at the quarterback position who most of these guys when they decided to transfer in and saw Grayson McCall's name probably said oh okay we got a dude that can throw the ball and then Jordan Waters comes over another cat that can you know smooth and can make things happen yeah yeah I mean it makes it easy and you see KC probably saying hey guys I could use some of the help I still want to make plays but I would love to have you here that was almost an interception bobbled ball landed in the chest the Cari Collins was the receiver there ball gets knocked away I think by Jackson Vic comes in late good job by Jackson Vic Jed free yeah and that's another good teaching point right come through the ball not to the ball just really disruptive by Jackson Vic it was Joshua offor who had an opportunity to pick that off a freshman early en rolly out of Jonesboro Georgia and we were talking with Tony Gibson he said that kid is special so keep an eye on on 04 throughout his career just beginning here in Raleigh clock down to 15 seconds here fourth and short McCall can't spike the ball I think they're going to just wind this down and attempt a field goal here at the end of the first half mhm no Panic [Applause] so the big difference between the second half and the first half in this NC State spring game is the second half is a running clock and you'll likely see him a call out of the game in fact I thought his day was going to be done prior to that drive but they threw him back in there for a two-minute Dr yeah I think that's what they wanted they probably said hey if we get to two-minute offense opportunity let's put you in there so we can get you a custom to working with your guys that makes the most sense and we'll hear from Grayson McCall during that second half curious his Impressions on his first work in a Wolfpack uniform and coming up at halftime you'll hear from our ACC Network crew out at the final four at Phoenix as the wolf pack get ready for Purdue and the Cinderella story continue what a run it has been for these boys from Raleigh shades of 1983 [Applause] so still a lot to come here at the NC State spring game basketball and football Raleigh NC State the epicenter of College athletics and we're having a lot of fun Charles Arbuckle Jay alter with you still a lot more to come here on acc Network well check this out at halftime NC State Super Fan Noah Whitaker takes the hand off for Mcall into the end zone touchdown Noah oh that is terrific thanks to GG's Playhouse for putting that together that's the best touchdown of the NC State spring game so far having a lot of fun here awesome stuff well getting to check out the 13 Wolfpack transfers today during the NC State spring game and I think the Highlight Jordan Waters coming right down the road from duke seven carry 6 yards at a touchdown to lead the way second half action after [Music] this excellent the Wolfpack offense has stolen the show at the NC State spring game so far one half play to second half still to come Charles are Buckle J alter with us and we're joined now by the offensive coordinator Robert andai coach this offense looks great you have a lot of new faces to work with including your quarterback Grayson McCall his transition this spring uh that's our SP although coach uh can't hear us right now hopefully this works how are we doing guys coach how are you uh we got 15 seconds I'm great tell us about Grayson McCall your thoughts on his performance in the first half uh we look forward to developing further but I think he's very poised and having a great deal hey I got a run sorry guys love you okay Robert and I offensive coordinator a man a few words we appreciate the 15 seconds and uh you know look the offense say what you want we saw the offense we don't need to hear it from him because we saw how explosive Jordan Waters looked how confident and comfortable Grayson McCall the quarterback looked and the offensive line I I thought performed very strongly yeah they did and I think that's you know when you look at what they were trying to accomplish in incorporating all of the skill guys that they can but also the running game you know they talked about being able to do that more consistently and your offensive line has to come off you have to establish the run to get those things going and they were able to in that first half you know that's when you look at this team and you look how they're structured they're going to have to be explosive we well we didn't get much from Robert and I the offensive coordinator but we've just been told that we're going to be joined by the new quarterback Grayson Mcall when we come back you can hear from the Wolfpack new quarterback on the other [Music] side now the second half underway here at EDC State the spring game here played in Early April Charles Arbuckle Jay alter with you the offense super impressive in that first half and the starters are out gives an opportunity to the second third fourth stringers to show off some of this competitive depth that head coach Dave Doran was talking about and with the starters out that means we're joined by the new quarterback of NC State Grayson Mcall Grayson we appreciate the time how about it first time in front of fans in a Wolfpack uniform how did it feel out there it's awesome man uh unbelievable day out here beautiful day uh a bunch of people showed up uh just blessed to be out here with the new guys uh throw it around a little bit Have Some Fun in the Sun so uh it's been a great day going to relax and uh watch the rest of the guys get these reps in but uh unbelievable day and uh super blessed to be out here Grayson take us back through when you first W made the decision but then also had to walk into this locker room with new guys guys you have to get accustomed to and used to how was that for you it was awesome man uh one of the best transitions I've ever had in my life you know they talk about uh it being a family here and they really mean it I mean uh 120 guys welcome me in uh to the locker room the first day I stepped in and uh the coaches just trusted me and kind of handed me the keys to to take over the offense it's it's been an unreal transition a lot smoother than I I had expected it to be but um you know really excited about the decision I made and just so happy to be here you could have gone a lot of places Grayson why NC State yeah you know this this program is is is a special one um one that coach doran's been building for a long time um an extremely relevant program for the last you know four or 5 years and um they've been right there right uh you know close to to taking over ACC and and doing big things and I think you know with the pieces we brought in this year we can do big things but um you know just being close to home and joining a unbelievable program with a great coaching staff and a lot of really good guys so uh I'm really happy with the decision I made to come to Raleigh Grayson one football a lot of weapons you going to have guys chirping in your ear I need the ball give me the ball give me the ball how do you make sure everyone gets their touches and gets things going in the right direction yeah I mean it's 11 man football everyone does their job and you know just stay patient and and uh you do your job and I'll do uh you know the best of my ability to get you the ball um you know a lot of explosive guys on offense a lot of really good players so I think I can just sit back there and try to deliver the ball the best I can and I think we'll do great things on offense this year and going against this defense every single day in practice what's that like cuz there's a ton of studs on the defensive side of the ball yeah man it's awesome it's been a very competitive spring uh I think I've gotten so much better this spring and um just going against them every day it's really iron sharpens iron and um it's been awesome man they're they're really good and um you know that's another you know big reason for coming here the defense is always going to be good and um seems if the offense can just do their job and put up a little bit of points then we'll be really successful Grayson you weren't recruited by many ACC schools you have to have a chip on your shoulder how does it feel to now say I'm getting ready to go in here and I'm battling every week yeah it's been the mindset my whole career really I think um that chip on my shoulder has got me to the point I'm at right now um you know really under recruited out of high school um did some really good things my first three years and I feel like I'm still overlooked so um still sense a little bit of disrespect so you know I'm here to prove things this year and um I think that's the kind of the whole mindset throughout the team so I'll expect big things Grayson you won't be able to see it but we're showing everybody at home your look at Coastal this is more of a clean shaven look here at NC State yeah man uh I'm one of the old heads in the locker room so I got to do something to make myself look a little bit younger you yeah the mullet and the beard H it's incredible and last thing for you we've been asking everybody incredible run by this basketball team to be in the final four both men's and women's but the men playing tonight against Purdue what's that been like being on campus When A team's making a run like that it's been unbelievable man you know coach Doran talks about it every week um we're all tuned in and we all kind of reflect after the game what they did well um and things like that and it just shows you what type of community they have here um the whole school and the whole community of Raleigh getting behind them and and really cheering them on so um you know hopefully they can get it done tonight we'll all be tuned in and cheering them on and and then the national championship baby so uh we're tuned in and it's always go pack I have to imagine the expectation is for you guys to be in the college football playoff and the fallowing make it to run of your own yes sir we've been talking all offseason about the number 12 uh 12 games um being in the top 12 um it's something that that has been in conversation a lot this offseason and something that we're going to keep in the back of our in the back of our minds you know the expectations here High um the expectations are to win and uh that's what we're here to do thanks Grace graceon really appreciate the time thank you guys go pack Grayson Mcall 16 of 20 205 yd passing and a touchdown and you heard him say the number 12 they've been talking about it all off seon 12 regular season games promised a 12 team college football playoff that's expanded and the expectation for this team is they are going to be one of those 12 teams well you had to do it on the field right and you know they've had consistency over the last few years now how do you get to that next step and that's going to be the the real critical piece for this uh wolf pack offense and defense team in general you asked a great question about how do you balance the weapons because everybody loves the competitive depth right but nobody thinks that they're actually going to be the fourth or fifth guy on the depth chart I've been on some of those teams where you have to figure out how to get close to the quarterback so you can get the ball and the running back rooms and the wide receiver rooms here in Raleigh I I think the deepest it's been in Dave doran's tenure and that's a great thing until Midway through the season somebody's thinking my numbers should be a little higher well I I think what cures that is winning and I know I knew he was going to say that but if you just look at this right now CJ Bailey gets better because of being able to work with these guys in case he has to come in and just play even just to get some experience Lex Thomas who also is in the battle for the second quarterback spot but you got great guys to throw to man guys that want to catch the Rock and and make plays for you and Bailey in now slings it right over the middle CJ Bailey he's been a big bright spot a couple of broken tackles and that's juice Vine tight end built more like an h-back but we saw him before the game and some of the warm-ups this dig route beautiful cuz he opens up that window you see him looking that way and coming in and then the strike to juice fine who afterwards can use a little bit of that big body at about 25 220 to knife through the defense now we just talked with Grayson McCall who gave us some great Insight on the offense we're hearing now from Shawn Brown who joins us Sean this has been a fun offseason for you converting from safety to linebacker you're really the anchor of this defensive team tell us how that transition has been this spring uh it's been great you know having guys like Betty and Kaden really helping me along the way to learn uh learn a new position it's been great Sean seeing the eye the game Through The Eyes of Tony Gibson I know he were at safety now you moov the linebacker how is that transition them for you oh it's been great you know having coach Gibby you know he knows what's best for us and so you know me believing in the coaches and trusting what they're saying you know to get me it to the next level I really trust them in their word when you look at this offense they've had a lot of Fire power how have you been able to stop them consistently but what have you seen from them this this off seon uh you know it's just guys making plays you know you're going to have one of those days where the offense gets in you and then you going to have those days where defense just playing lights out and you know just going having that back and forth battle with them it's just been really good uh to have like see what the how D Dynamic the offense is watching Payton Wilson the last few seasons what can you take from his game and try and Implement in your own uh just really playing off the instincts not really thinking too much you know it's just kind of just just being free out there you know you when you um thinking a little too much out there for a def Defender it kind of messes with your head a little bit so you know just playing off the instincts instincts how much do the guys in the secondary still talk trash to you I know you I know you're going to get some plays but they all are still saying hey man you're one of us or you a linebacker now uh they they they clown me they were like oh you a linebacker now you can't you can't talk to us no more I talk to all of them it's crazy cuz I I still tell them I could play DB if I really want to [Applause] through no we believe that we believe that no doubt I I'm curious young guys coming in right so so let's really focus on the 19 freshman that were early enrol Le who are some guys that have stood out to you like oh man that that that kid's pretty good he's going to help us uh CJ CJ Bailey uh Joshua o for uh we got Canon Lewis zann Brody bonart you know those guys they've been asked to step up in various occasions you know they they played up to it awesome stuff Shawn Brown we really appreciate the time and looking forward to watching you guys this fall thank you thank you you know that move from safety to linebacker gets him in the Box more where he can really make plays yeah and and the way you have it with a 33 335 defense he can still swing and do some things but also some of the coverage aspects helps out and I think that's really critical for him in that transition and Co and Coach Gibson can see that moving him there but I knew the I knew the DBS were giving them kind of crap that's that's the kind of stuff that happens well that's good camaraderie right that and as much as we've talked about what's on the football field it's interesting speaking with the coaching stats when you bring in 32 new players in a spring it's about developing off the field as much as it is developing on yeah I I mean because you're going to spend time in the locker room room you're going to spend time at practice but then it becomes a downtime where you're just kind of hanging out going to watch the basketball team as they've talked about going to watch baseball cuz their baseball program here is really good just getting to together and helping because you you know on programs on campuses you get accustomed to hanging out with your your crew but then you also see all the other people that you want to spend time with as well and I think that's the part of getting incorporated into the campus life as well you also finding that fast chemistry right you don't have time anymore everyone wants results immediately so many transfers coming in I mean there's still a spring portal that needs to open up 15 days for spring practice you don't have a lot if you're coaching staff I mean players sometimes we look at oh man day 14 I can't wait for it to be over but for this time you have a chance to get these guys all running together and getting these kind of reps together you know now that all the starters are out who impressed you most out of the ones the the two that jumped out Grayson and Jordan Waters I mean just from a skill weapon perspective and then I think the whole offensive line uh the quarterbacks were really never touched yeah we haven't talked too much about the offensive line but a unit that returns four starters from last season and then you add the veteran center from Notre Dame Zeke carral uh this is a really good unit and I think that had to play a factor in McCall choosing NC State as he knew he had a really good line in front of him yeah I I think that's the case and also to I will say with spring games generally the defense isn't going to bring guys and and this this defense is a pressure defense they get after you so it's they were almost in a position where they're playing base but it gives you a chance to see can guys get off blocks can guys make plays we saw Cory Coley make a nice play on defense you saw some of the guys on Def hustling to the football some of the young players like McBride getting a fumble recovery you know you're starting to see some of the young names that they talked about this week and now we're seeing it come to [Music] fruition Wednesday night the Huddle crew will have their annual draft analysis special highlighting ACC players that they expect to be drafted Which is less than 3 weeks away can you believe that our our one-hour show begins at 9 Eastern right here on acc Network that is Wednesday night obviously one of the top ACC players that'll hear his name called in the NFL draft NC States Payton Wilson give me a a comp who does he compare to playing in the league right now man he is so fast and moves around so well he's a weak side guy I mean you know he could play middle linebacker if you put him there but I like him on the backside moving around just a a cop now oh that's a tough one um nothing comes to mind like this is a comparable who who do you kind of see as one of those guys that he could be similar to O another good throw yeah I I don't know if anyone really jumps to mind but he's going to be a really good linebacker and playing the league for a long time Shaq Thompson because Shaq was a safety coming out of school move to the weak side makes a lot of plays Peyton Wilson is is one of those guys that's sideline to sideline guy can make plays for you good I would just say he's your prototypical modern day NFL linebacker that's a good one you know covers a lot of the field but I'm going to tell you I saw him at the Bronco nersi Awards and I was surprised at his size he's not a little guy you know like sometimes linebackers aren't as big as when I played whether it was Carl banks at 65 250 yeah but he was still very well put together man it they're knifing through this defense yeah it has been all offense and that's another star freshman to keep an eye on Terrell Anderson The Freshman from Greensboro North Carolina to finish this third quarter yeah I mean that was a a strike Again by CJ Bailey but Anderson catches it and not only catches it gets through this defense ball gets out boom right on him and he's able to just run through one tackler two tacklers made a couple of guys miss that was impressive I know people are focused on the present and and for good reason this is a really good roster that will compete at the top of college football in the fall but you got two freshman connecting there the future is really bright in Raleigh as well yeah it is and no doubt about it the offense has been the story here at NC State 44 points of offense only seven for the D you're talking about the NFL draft there are some notable first round picks at NC State under Dave Dorne and I think we got a few more playing in this game that one day we'll be playing on Sundays no doubt about it start of the fourth quarter here in Raleigh NC State spring game giving you a sneak preview of one of the best teams in the ACC for this coming fall Charles Arbuckle Jay alter with you you know five minutes from now we will send you to Phoenix where I it's everything NC State today because the men's basketball team is playing Purdue in the final four there's great Buzz around campus this week talking with players and coaches so stay locked in on the ACC network if you want to hear about NC State basketball and about 5 minutes from now we will continue the spring game on the ESPN app if you want to stick with us here in Raleigh and joining us now Noah Rogers transfer from Ohio State adding to that wide receiver room Noah obviously great job by this offense to put up so many points what's it like playing in an offense with so many weapons I mean it's uh very fun to play in a explosive offense um you know in my mind I don't think that there should be a drive that we shouldn't score you know so every time we go out the field um we challenge ourselves to score and get a touchdown Noah what was the thought process to come back home to Raleigh and play for the NC State wolf pack um you know uh it was a hard decision you know I have much love for Ohio State but um it it just wasn't fitting for me so you know um you know when I hit the portal NC State was a top option and you know I feel great and I'm confident in my decision and I haven't been better since did you grow up going to Wolfpack you know football and basketball games um yeah I have um I've been coming to n State game since um probably about seventh grade and the environment um I've always seen what it's like and and I know I I could be an impact player for the uh University of iny State what what do you think of the basketball team right now uh shoot hey they they they add me too but you know DJ been balling though hey they going to get it done today for sure hey Noah you know the one thing about it with Grayson McCall being here how was that for you when you knew he was going to be here as well what did that do for you and make and your decision coming here um you know it definitely made an impact because uh playing with a veteran quarterback you you know you can learn different things uh just not from a receiver standpoint but quarterback standpoint you know help you with coverages and uh you know timing on routes and everything so playing with him has been great he's um he's a great leader great dude and you know me and him um have a good uh connection right now so looking forward to that who talks the most trash in the defensive backfield to you probably uh Cay Brandon CE he be talking uh but I I I'll be playing with them I be SN name out I'll be I'll be trolling them man that's great Noah we appreciate the time good luck in the fall yes sir y'all have a good day thanks thank you Noah Rogers transfer coming in from Ohio State back home a Raleigh native playing for EDC State now the DBS do a lot of chirping so do the wide receivers so I love to hear that I always thought most of the chirping came in the trenches no it's those cuz the guys inside we're we're too tired of doing all I mean it could be trash talk but the guys outside they they're not banging every play they do a lot of chirping I'm telling you so about 1 minute left before we go off ACC Network and continue on ESPN plus we'll send you to Phoenix where they'll be talking a lot of NC State basketball as they get set for Purdue what are your final thoughts when you take a look at what we've seen today and the fall to come for Dave doran's team quarterback upgrade really you know you get a quarterback like Grayson McCall you upgrade your team you have wide receivers like we just talked to Noah Rogers and the whole host but also the running back crew has been really good and that offensive line is nice you can see where there's some places where guys are out today but they're going to have to show up the defensive front which is going to come because you got guys like Davin van out you got Aiden white and some others but I really like where they're sitting offensively well if the spring game's job is to give us a sneak preview of what's to come in the fall there is a lot to like when you take a look at this Wolfpack team especially offensively as another touchdown is scored perfect way to end as we send you to Phoenix to talk some NC State Men's Basketball getting ready for the Final Four game tonight for Charles I'm Jay that was a heck of a throw by Lex Thomas yeah I want to take another look at this yeah cuz then Wesley Grimes the transfer from Wake Forest to they are very high on another Raleigh native that has decided to come home I'm going tell you Mike Bellamy my former teammate at Indianapolis and he's you know been in the coaching uh business for a while was just doing some spring tours and he said he came here and he was blown away by their receiving crew and then he said oh the running back crew is great he said these guys are going to be really explosive and Lex Thomas is battling for that second position look at that throw just outstanding catch and then take it to the house by Wesley Grimes just so many weapons think about that in the wide receiver room Collins Rogers Grime concepion four absolute studs in a very deep stacked wide receiver room and and the running back room is loaded as well we're joined by Jordan Waters the transfer from duke Jordan heck of a performance first one in a Wolfpack uniform in front of fans how did you feel out there uh it was good man I'm happy to be here uh a lot of fans out here I got my family here so it was fun Jordan what was the move for you to come over from duke to here knowing that you know you didn't have you didn't have to go far but you could still stay close to home yeah that was my biggest thing I'm I'm big on family and I knew this was my last year where I could actually choose where I wanted to play at uh and I'm close to my familyone in an hour and a half so it allows my family to come down and see me all the time come stay with me sometimes and still see me for another year you know the one thing we heard from your coaches as we're taking a look at a couple of your highlights from earlier today is you know you're durable you're productive and you've proven it in the ACC why is it important to yeah I guess do it once more before you look to the NFL uh I knew I didn't I didn't have the season I wanted to last year and knowing I could come back and like up my draft stock was a good idea and to do it here with a good team we built and we're still building was uh the best move for me I think when you got here those guys had to remember the 123 you put on them and the things that you did to them they don't they don't want to hear it now what would what' you say when you walk in the locker room was there anything said about that I told him don't say nothing to me cuz I won like that love that well they're uh we've talked to a couple of them they're really happy that that you're a teammate now and not an enemy yeah is this a team you've been in the ACC that you feel like can win this league and be in the college football playoff oh most definitely we got Playmakers in every room every position group and I think if there a team to do it it's this team Jordan when you look at the young guys in your room what do you see there and and and give us a little bit of insight on those guys cuz we've heard a lot of good things about that running back room as well oh it's steady growing and and the thing that surprised me is how I'm willing they are to learn and when I practice they always coming off and ask me like what can I do or how did you do this or what makes you see this type of stuff and they're willing to learn that's what excites me to far and they're so far ahead from where I'm from from when I was a freshman they're in here early getting extra treatment and all types of stuff so they're going to be good what was the hardest part for you cuz I always hear you know playing the running back position you could run the football you could catch but pass Pro why is that so difficult for young guys to pick up uh like coach said he talked to a scout the other day and that's uh what they lack in the in NFL they can't find a back that that's willing to pass Pro all of them can pass Pro but you got to be willing to stick your nose in there and that's something I'm trying trying to work on myself uh to give me an edge on getting to the next level Jordan Waters we appreciate the time awesome performance in the spring game and we we look forward to watching you this fall thank you have a good day you too you too and that's what's so impressive about this group you bring in 13 transfers you look at that list all of them are impact guys yeah I mean guys that were highly rated in high school and then they come back and they make plays or they were highly rated where they were and come in and they have some of those on Def defense too and we we we've been able to talk about it some of the guys that are transferring in that have been able to come and make plays I think that's what you look for when you try to build your team [Music] defense good coverage good good ability to stay with with those players and Dave Doran told us one thing they look for in the transfer portal is guys that they have a relationship with you know North Carolina kids that they recruited hard that the decided to leave and now maybe want to come back and you know a really interesting thing is if you look at the programs that have put North Carolina kids in the NFL Dave Doran has done it more than any other program in the state yeah and it it shocks people with all the schools in this state uh and and but what they've been able to do is you got to have good players you got to have players that that are good and that you can develop and they've been able to do that and they've been able to not miss on their quarterback transfers you think I mean we can talk about Grayson McCall but they have been really good at getting quarterbacks to play for this program they've really done a nice job there and I think that's what sets them off apart because you can have a guy that can come in and he may not mess with your team this is one of those things that that I look at and I say that's that's really good at picking guys to come in and help play look at those names yeah and really starting from jacobe brasset down they have not missed yeah and then Brandon Mitchel who came in was a guy that got injured but jacobe had a nice career here Ryan Finley winning Armstrong for the one year Grayson McCall I mean those are things you have to look at as a quarterback saying hey I can go to this program and they've done a really nice job of not only taking guys from high school level and developing but guys that come in and develop as well and I'm going to go out on limb and say next season when you know we're here a year from now in the spring game looking ahead to fall 2025 they won't have a transfer quarterback because they I think have their quarterback of the future on the team in CJ Bailey he he has shown that he can really play and when I first went to see him and watched some video of him on in high school and then understanding out of Florida you don't win two times offensive player the year for just being a okay guy I mean he is he can throw the football he can do a lot of things and hey I'm going to say this Lex Thomas is shown the day too he's like hey don't forget about me guys I'm here too so that's the thing about competitive battling each and every day but this young man has really shown a and and not only that but when you talk to the coaches and you talk to the players they also see it because they know your your teams know who can really play and who who's not able to to make plays for you well Dave Doran told us the one thing he's really been impressed with with his team this spring is the competitive depth and you know it's one thing to hear it it's another thing to see it because we've been treated to you know two hours plus during this spring game of at every single position there's guys making plays y yep and even the defense that didn't have the best day today there was still guys on the defensive side making plays but offensively when you say I got we got to be more explosive and Robert and I talking about how they dug deep to figure out how they were going to improve their offensive skill Weaponry you can see it and you have to mention that the defense today was without three starters and their best three players Aiden white Shawn Brown and Davin van we got to speak with all three of those guys and and they said we really like our group we just didn't want to risk it today Deon boyin is out he miss he missed spring you also have the Auburn transfer and Donovan Kaufman who is going to be coming in you've got a linebacker also from the you know that's transferring in in the fall so you got guys that that'll make some plays for final 2 minutes here in the fourth quarter and we showed the schedule earlier in the spring game but it might be worth revisiting those two games in September Tennessee in a neutral sight game in Charlotte and then at Clemson your two biggest games are in the first month of the season how do you use the rest of the spring the summer and the fall to make sure you're firing right out of the gate well that that just tells you guys there's no we we got to come into the season ready to go from the very beginning when we step on the field it's go time you don't have a time to kind of think about it or or want to and I think these guys have it and if you have a quarterback who has a little bit of a chip on the shoulder he gets to go home against Tennessee play close to his high school in Porter Ridge downtown M you know didn't get recruited highly by a lot of these schools didn't get recruited by SEC schools so that's one thing you got a lot of transfers have come in that want to help this program win I think it's I think for them it's easy let's go play now there is a lot to like especially on the offensive side of the football for NC State certainly a team to have on your radar come this fall and we were happy to bring you a little bit of a sneak preview during the Spring Game and again in terms of play calling you keep it pretty vanilla y but I think yeah you want your guys just to show what they can do how they're going to play how they're going to compete and then you start throwing different things at them I think you were able to see the talent and the depth that this team will bring into the fall though oh yeah without a doubt I I mean what I anticipated seeing I got to see and what you asked me earlier about Grayson McCall easy a for him today yeah that might have been the line of the game easy a for the new quarterback Grayson Mcall final play here is the crowd shouts out the clock dwindling down trying to get into the end zone to finish it off not going to get there but the offense still reign supreme 51 points for this red team and Dave Doran has to be happy without his guys look Spring football is upon us it continues a week from now six Spring football games across ESPN's family of networks a lot on the ACC Network at ESPN Plus for Charles Arbuckle I'm J alter saying so long from Raleigh [Music]