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NC State Coach Aaron Henry’s Pregame Speeches Going Viral

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If you’ve been watching NC State Football docu-series ‘ONE’ then you’ve likely seen Aaron Henry. He’s the coach whose pregame speeches are something out of a ‘beat the odds’ sports movie. Just check the YouTube comments on some of the ‘ONE’ episodes.

Henry’s speeches aren’t just motivating the Wolfpack football team anymore, they are touching the souls of NC State fans. In fact, the NC State marketing department should kick in some funds to get Henry a raise because what he is doing is what they strive to do (and pour thousands of dollars into doing) day in and day out. He is creating an emotional connection with Pack fans. He is creating a relationship with this team that is deeper than a fan just tuning into a game once a week.

It’s actually amazing what words backed with passion and conviction can do. There is no doubt in my mind that Henry’s speeches are an ingredient in the recipe of what is making this NC State football team so special. The ability to take 18-21-year-olds and channel their focus is tough. Not many know how and of those that do, not many have the gift to do it. Aaron Henry, however, does.

When asked about Henry’s speeches a few days ago, Dave Doeren had this to say:

He’s doing a great job.

Aaron, as a player, was incredibly spiritual. He was captain of our team at Wisconsin. He was a guy that was involved in FCA and all the different things that went on, on campus.  He’s always been a tremendous leader.

When I first got here and hired Al Byrd to work for Johnny Evans and the FCA, I actually tried to get Aaron to be our team chaplain because I think that much of him as a leader.

I didn’t expect that to happen when I sat down with him in the summer. He’s taken it on his own and proud of him for it. He’s doing a great job with it.

Yesterday, the News & Observer’s Joe Giglio ran a great story on Henry that we really suggest you read. In it, he details Henry’s upbringing in the church and how he thought he would eventually become a minister, but how his love for football pushed him into coaching.  Here are a few great quotes from Henry in that piece:

“I’m just a new guy trying to find my way. It just started off as me just trying to motivate the players. Now they’re kind of looking forward to them.”

“If you speak positivity into these young men, and you speak resiliency, you speak hard work and just pride into them, they’ll do it,”

“I genuinely love these guys, and I want them to know that I love them. I really believe young men are going to play so much harder when they know that you care about them. All those speeches are is to let them know this coaching staff cares about them. It’s just crazy what words can do.”

With the Wolfpack starting down the toughest stretch of the season, they are going to need all the motivation, focus and passion they can get. Let’s hope Henry is cooking up something next-level for the Notre Dame pregame.

NC State Football

WATCH: Hollywood Smothers Leads NC State in Rushing at the Spring Game

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Redshirt Freshman Hollywood Smothers seemingly was the 3rd string Running Back in NC State’s 2024 Spring Game a few weeks back, but at the end of the game, he had more rushing yards than any other back.

Smothers rushed the ball 8 times for 75 yards. He possesses explosive speed, as well as excellent vision.

Check out Pack Insider’s Tape of Smothers from the Spring Game.





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NC State Offers FCS Interior Offensive Lineman D’Angalo Titialii

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NC State offered Interior Offensive Lineman D’Angalo Titialii (6’2″/320) today. After entering the Portal, the Wolfpack were the first to offer him.

Titialii spent his first three seasons at Portland State, which competes in the FCS. This year, he was the starting Center for the Vikings, and the year before he was their starting Left Guard. Over three seasons, Titialii started in 28 of the 32 games he played in.

Titialii is an intriguing prospect, considering he can play numerous positions on the Offensive Line.

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NC State Offers FCS DT Elinus Noel III

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After Elinus Noel III (6’2″/230) entered the Transfer Portal yesterday, it didn’t take long for NC State to extend an offer.

He also has picked up offers from Baylor and Temple.

Noel III played last year at Texas Southern, which is in the FCS. As a Junior, he had 52 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks in 10 games.

Prior to Texas Southern, Noel III spent his first two seasons at Nicholls State, where he recorded a total of 53 tackles.

247Sports ranked him as a 3-Star prospect in the 2021 recruiting class out of New Orleans (LA).

Noel III has 1 year of eligibility remaining.

With Nick Campbell entering the Transfer Portal, NC State is in the hunt for some depth at Nose Tackle. Even if the staff were to feel confident with what they have in JR Brandon Cleveland and RS-SODJ Jackson, the Wolfpack is in need of depth at the position.

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WATCH: In NC State’s Spring Game, Tight End Justin Joly Showed He is Going to Be Trouble for Opposing Defenses in ’24

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It was evident NC State Tight End Justin Joly (6’3″/235) is going to be a problem for opposing defenses after his performance in the 2024 Spring Game a few weeks back. He is an extremely athletic Tight End, but he’s also bigger and more physical than I expected.

According to my calculations, Joly had 3 receptions for 56 yards and a touchdown. He started things off with a 3-yard touchdown in the corner of the end zone. He followed that up with a 16 yard catch across the middle through contact. Finally, Joly was the recipient of a double-reverse flea flicker, from RB Demarcus Jones II to WR Kevin Concepcion to QB Grayson McCall to him, for a 37-yard gain.

Joly transferred to NC State this offseason from UCONN, and he was the #2 Tight End in the Transfer Portal according to ON3. He had an incredible Sophomore campaign this past year, catching 56 passes for 578 yards and 2 touchdowns. Joly had 4 receptions for 38 yards in the season opener against the Wolfpack.

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