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Your experience as a college football player can teach you many things and help shape you to be the person that you’re going to become.  Former NC State running back Toney Baker learned a lot about hard work and perseverance during his time at NC State.  He came in as one of the highest recruits that the school has ever seen, with extremely high expectations.  What ensued was Baker missing nearly two entire seasons because of injury.  Baker ultimately played three seasons for NC State and finished with 2,045 rushing yards (12th all-time at NC State) and 17 touchdowns (11th all-time), before deciding to forego his final year of eligibility (6th) to pursue his professional career.  Baker went undrafted, but was picked up by the Denver Broncos.

“It was a phenomenal experience.  I had a really good camp.  I was released sometime in August or September,” said Baker. “They tried to get me out to Canada to meet with some specialist, because we found out I had a couple herniated discs in my back.  With all of my knee surgeries, I just knew in my gut, it was time to make a move.  Even if I was to have the surgery, long-term I just didn’t feel like it was there for me.”

After working as a recruiter in Raleigh for 5 years, Baker and has now moved down to South Carolina, and is now the Assistant Director at Grand Strand Medical Center in South Carolina, where he manages all of the day to day environmental services of the hospital, and manages a staff of 40 people.

“It’s great.  I stay very busy.  It’s an intense job, but I love it,” said Baker.  “It’s been really good for me.  I’m married, with two little girls.  I’m a family man and a working man.  Life is good.”

Baker said that being a college football player at NC State was instrumental in preparing him to go into the workforce.

“It gave me a lot of structure and it also took away all the excuses.  As a student athlete you have a lot of tasks that seem impossible to get done.  They just have to get done.  Period.  I try to take that mentality to my professional life now,” said Baker.  “When things need to get done, you find a way to get them done.  Failure isn’t an option.  You have to find a way to make it work.  That attitude that was shaped in me as a college athlete, has worked really well for me professionally.  Playing college football at NC State helped develop an intense work ethic in me, and that’s carried over into my professional career, and it’s taken me a long way.”

Whether a college athlete plays professionally afterwards doesn’t determine whether or not they are successful. That is determined by how they apply the things they learned from their collegiate experience, wherever it takes them.  Congratulations Toney Baker!  You’re a success.

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Matthew is Co-Owner of Pack Insider. He writes for all sports, with a focus on football and recruiting, and is in charge of business strategy. He is an NC State alum who majored in business. Matthew is also the lead pastor of The Point Church in Cary, NC.

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Pack in the Pros

NC State LB Payton Wilson Visited with the Steelers Yesterday

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April 17, 2024

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Former NC State Linebacker Payton Wilson had a Top-30 visit with the Pittsburgh Steelers yesterday. Wilson is the first Linebacker the Steelers have brought in.

Wilson has already had Top-30 visits with the Dallas Cowboys and the Carolina Panthers.

PFF ranks Wilson as the #1 Linebacker in the 2024 Draft, and #26 on their Big Board.

1. LB PAYTON WILSON, NC STATE

PFF BIG BOARD RANK: 26

Wilson has the length, movement ability, IQ and tape of a first-round linebacker. What will likely keep him from being drafted on Day 1 is his injury history and age. If healthy, he can be a starting inside linebacker in any defense. (PFF)

Will someone take Wilson in the 1st round? Will he be a 2nd round pick? If he slips past that, that’s just stupid.

 

 

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NC State’s DJ Horne Declares for the NBA Draft

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2 days ago

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April 16, 2024

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NC State Guard DJ Horne has officially declared for the 2024 NBA Draft.

 

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A post shared by DJ Horne (@djhorne)

Horne is trying to become the first Wolfpack player to be drafted since Dennis Smith Jr. was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks with the 6th pick in the 1st Round.

While Horne might not currently be projected to be drafted, he is trying to change that tune at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament which begins tomorrow.

Horne is a special player, and genuinely possesses the skill set to compete at the next level. Whether he is drafted, or signs a 2-way contract, what he put on tape this year warrants a chance.





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Former NC State Defensive End Savion Jackson is Receiving Interest from NFL Teams

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5 days ago

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April 13, 2024

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Former NC State Defensive End Savion Jackson is receiving interest from NFL teams. Thus far, those teams are the Rams, Chargers, 49ers, and Broncos.

Last season as a Senior, Jackson had 40 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks in 12 games for the Wolfpack. His Run Defense grade on PFF was 80.6, ranking 4th on the team.

According to current projections, Jackson projects to be taken on Day 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft, or picked up as an Undrafted Free Agent.

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Former All-NC State Forward Richard Howell Named Varsity Men’s Basketball Coach at Green Hope

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April 11, 2024

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Former All-ACC NC State Forward Richard Howell has been named the new Varsity Men’s Basketball Coach at Green Hope High School right down the road in Cary, North Carolina.

“I am thrilled to join the Green Hope family and lead the varsity men’s basketball team,” Coach Howell expressed. “My journey in basketball has been incredibly rewarding, and I am excited to share my knowledge and passion for the game with the talented athletes at Green Hope.”

Principal Alison Cleveland commented on the hire, stating, “We are delighted to welcome Coach Howell to Green Hope High School. His impressive background and dedication to the game will undoubtedly inspire our student-athletes to reach new heights both on and off the court.” (Green Hope)

Howell earned 1st Team All-ACC honors as a member of the Wolfpack back in 2013, when he averaged 12.7 points and 10.9 boards per game. His 1,055 career rebounds rank 5th in NC State history, and his 392 offensive boards rank 1st.

On December 15th, 2012, Howell snagged 19 rebounds, which is tied for the 2nd most in a single game in program history. Howell played 132 career games for the Wolfpack, which ranks 5th in NC State history.

After graduating from NC State, Howell had a couple of stints in the D-League (now called the G-League), but ultimately had a long career overseas, playing in Italy, France, the Dominican Republic, the Philippines, and Israel from 2013-2023.

Congratulations Richard! Raise up some talent and send them down the road to NC State!

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