NC State Quarterback Devin Leary spoke with the media after practice yesterday heading into the season opener against ECU this Saturday.

He’s fully aware that Dowdy-Ficklen is going to be a packed house.

“I know this is a big in-state game for both teams. We know they’re going to bring a lot of people out to the game. It’s going to be rowdy, but we’re expecting it. We’re expecting it to be a good time out there. Anytime you go into a hostile environment you need to prepare even better, even if it’s louder than expected. You need to fall more on your preparation. That’s the biggest thing.” 

Some people might be looking past ECU, but Leary isn’t.

“You can’t take any team lightly, regardless of who it is on your schedule. Whoever they put out there, we have to go out there and win the week. It starts with ECU.”

Leary and his teammates are ready to play someone besides themselves. With the bowl game against UCLA cancelled last December, the Wolfpack has been playing one against each other ever since beating UNC on November 26th.

“I can’t wait to get into that game atmosphere. Let guys get loose, let them fly around. It’s getting out of that practice feeling and letting everything go.” 

The Wolfpack signal caller had a historic season at NC State in 2021, but from his vantage point, he had plenty to work on this offseason.

“I worked on my development in the offense, as well as identifying defenses. I needed to take that next step of getting us out of bad plays if that’s the case. Really just doing my job, doing what I’m coached to do and coaching all of  the other guys who are out there. Being that leader on the field, that was the biggest step I took this offseason.” 

Speaking of preparation, Leary spoke to the drive and work ethic of Wide Receiver Thayer Thomas, who will likely be his favorite target in 2022. Thomas had 51 receptions in 2021, which is the most of any returning receiver.

“Thayer has been balling out. That’s what we expect out of Thayer. He’s one of the 1st guys in the building, one of the last ones to leave. He expects that out of himself. It’s really no surprise how well he’s doing, but I know how much better he can be too. He knows how much better he can be. He’s just going to keep striving and staying in that positive trend.” 

There’s no denying the fact that Leary has preseason hype surrounding him heading into the season, whether it be award possibilities, or award watchlists or mock drafts. He says he pays it no attention.

“I don’t really pay attention to it, honestly. My full focus is on the team. My full focus is on ECU. How can I be my best as a teammate and a player? How can I be coachable each and every day? My full focus is where my feet are at.”

Last weekend Leary and the rest of the Wolfpack team had the chance to relax and watch the opening college football games of the 2022 season. For Leary, it was extra special, because he was able to watch his brother Donovan’s squad, who is a Freshman
Quarterback at Illinois.