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NC State Tight End David Grinnage entered the 2015 season with a lot of expectations surrounding him.  He was on the preseason watch list for the Mackey Award, which is awarded annually to the nations top Tight End.  That was not shocking after he finished last season with 27 receptions for 358 yards and 5 touchdowns.  All five touchdowns came in the final 7 games of the season.

While Grinnage has started the first two games for the Wolfpack, he has averaged 15 snaps in each contest, and only has one catch for 15 yards.  This comes after averaging 39 snaps last season as a Sophomore.

Grinnage hasn’t been demoted.  He started both games, but the coaching staff has been easing him back into game shape after an injury and illness filled offseason.

In NC State’s weekly press conference on Monday, Wolfpack head coach expressed his excitement that he believed that Grinnage was back to full strength and looking really crisp.

“He (Grinnage) missed all of winter conditioning, and half the summer, so he was out of shape.  He had a meniscus that we had to clean up and a sore back that we had to rest coming out of the season. Now he’s finally healthy.  He feels good,” said Doeren. “He had strep throat or tonsillitis or something during training camp.  It was like he could never be out there.  It’s hard when the other guys have been practicing and he’s out of shape.  He’s had two really good back-to-back weeks of practice.  He came out of both games feeling good and he is starting to look crisp again.  He gives us a big target, which we need.

I spoke with Grinnage after practice today, and he is ready to play.

“I feel great.  Everything is back to 100%.  I’ve just been waiting to go out there and give it my all,” said Grinnage. “I’ve been fighting through a couple different injuries and a couple of different illnesses to get back on the field with my family and play for them.”

Grinnage is a player.  No player likes to sit on the sidelines or in the training room while their teammates are on the field.

“It’s tough mentally, because you think about how you can’t be out there with your brothers helping them, because you’re in the training room getting help,” said Grinnage. “You just want to be back out there.  You have to be strong so your brothers will know that you will be back out there with them.”

Even though his playing time has been reduced and limited over the past two games, Grinnage is a team player, and celebrates the success of his fellow Tight Ends.

“To be honest I felt great.  Benson Browne and Jaylen Samuels are both in my tight end room, and they got touchdowns in both games, and I feel great for them.  Benson Browne’s touchdown…It was great. This is my 4th year with him,” said Grinnage. “He’s one of my best friends on this team.  He’s been waiting for that catch his whole career.  When it happened, I might have been more excited than he was.  It’s great for him.  It builds his confidence for the next play.  It’s really not about my production, but what I can do for the team. Whenever my time comes, my time comes.  It really doesn’t matter to me.”

David Grinnage at full strength gives the Wolfpack another big weapon heading into Old Dominion.

 

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Matthew is Publisher and Co-Owner of Pack Insider. He is also the Lead Pastor of The Point Church in Cary, NC.

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NC State Football

Akron Safety Kerry Martin Jr. Commits to NC State!

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4 hours ago

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May 8, 2024

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NC State just landed a commitment from Akron Safety Kerry Martin Jr. (6’1”/195).

Martin Jr. began an Official Visit at NC State yesterday.

Prior to the visit, Martin Jr. was familiar with NC State, because he was recruited by Wolfpack Defensive Coordinator Tony Gibson before he left West Virginia to come to Raleigh. Even though he never coached him, a relationship was established.

Martin Jr.’s connections to NC State are deeper than that. Former NC State Cornerback Derrek Pitts, who is currently a member of the Tampa Bay Bucs, is his cousin.

This past year, Martin Jr. recorded 45 tackles, 2 interceptions and 6 pass breakups for Akron, starting in 9 of the 11 games he played in. His PFF Grade was 68.9.

In 2022, he had 53 tackles, 1 interception and 1 pass breakup, starting in 9 of the 11 games he played in. Martin Jr.’s PFF Grade was 60.9.

In 2019, as a Freshman for West Virginia, Martin Jr. earned PFF Freshman All-American honors, recording a grade of 70.6, with 50 tackles and 3 pass breakups.

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NC State Football

Ohio St. Transfer Safety Ja’Had Carter is Officially Visiting NC State Today

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1 day ago

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May 7, 2024

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Ohio State Transfer Safety Ja’Had Carter (6’1″/205) is taking an Official Visit to NC State beginning today according to a source.

Carter played in 8 games as a reserve (6 at Safety/2 on strictly Special Teams) for the Buckeyes this past season, recording 5 tackles.

Prior to joining Ohio St., Carter played his first 3 seasons at Syracuse. In 2022, he was All-ACC Honorable Mention, tallying 36 tackles, 3 interceptions and 3 pass breakups. In 2020, as a True Freshman, Carter earned Freshman All-American status. Over three seasons with the Orange, Carter started in 28 of the 31 games he has played in.

PFF

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NC State Football

Colorado DT Transfer Chazz Wallace is Taking an Official Visit to NC State Tomorrow

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2 days ago

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May 6, 2024

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NC State has offered Colorado Defensive Tackle Transfer Chazz Wallace (6’2″/295), and he confirmed with me that he will be taking an Official Visit to Raleigh tomorrow.

Wallace played in 10 games for Coach Prime this past season, starting in 4. He finished with 11 tackles and 1.5 sacks. His PFF Grade was 56.4.

Prior to Colorado, Wallace spent his first three years at Old Dominion.

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NC State Football

NC State Offers FCS DT Brandon Lane

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2 days ago

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May 6, 2024

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NC State offered Stephen F. Austin (FCS) Transfer Defensive Tackle Brandon Lane (6’3″/300) yesterday.

Lane started in 6 of the 11 games he played in for Stephen F. Austin this past season. He finished the year with 44 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. His PFF Grade was 74.6, which ranked 4th on the Lumberjacks Defense. His 79.9 Run Defense Grade ranked 3rd on the team. In 2022, Lane played 7 games as a reserve for Stephen F. Austin, recording 11 tackles 2.5 tackles for loss and 1 sack.

Lane spent his first two collegiate seasons at South Dakota State (2000-21). In 2000, he played in 1 game. In 2021, he played in 3 games as a reserve for the Jackrabbits. The 2000 season was the Covid Year, and the 2021 season was his redshirt year. As a result, Lane still has two years of eligibility remaining.

Around a week-and-a-half ago, Lane committed to Michigan St., but then he decommitted from the Spartans on May 2nd.

I don’t think Michigan St. is necessarily off the table, and he has visited Washington and West Virginia.

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