WATCH: NC State DE Red Hibbler Talks Body Transformation and Pursuing the Goal of Being an Every Down Player

Senior Defensive End Red Hibbler met with the media after practice yesterday, and he talked about adding weight and muscle in an effort to be an every down player in 2024. He also talked about the transition from JUCO to ACC Football, the impact of Coach Wiles and why he loves sacking the Quarterback so much.

Coach Wiles spoke yesterday on how Hibbler had really worked to transform his body this offseason to become an every down Defensive End, rather than just being a 3rd down pass rush specialist.

Really just getting my weight up. Just being able to stay in my gaps. Being able to be an every down guy is what I really worked on this offseason. Learning to enjoy run stopping as much as I enjoy pass rushing. That’s what I’m really trying to get to. 

Coming from JUCO, Coach Wiles has taught me a lot about the game of football. He’s a big run stopping coach. He’s been big on teaching me how to run stop. How to stay in that gap. He’s taught me a lot on and off the field. 

Red came to NC State last offseason from Northwest Mississippi Community College (JUCO). There definitely was an adjustment last offseason, but this year everything is coming much easier.

The game was faster. The Linemen are bigger. In JUCO I could just fly past guys, but here I’ve actually got to do a move to get past them. 

Everything has been easier this year. I can react faster. I can move. It’s kind of hard to try to move with this weight, but I’ve been able to do it. I’ve been able to maintain this weight. 

Hibbler is ready to stop tackling boys in Red and White in practice, and is ready to hit someone with jersey from an opposing team, especially a Quarterback.

Going against our guys, iron sharpens iron. I’m just ready to hit someone with a different jersey. 

Last season, Hibbler led the Wolfpack with 6.5 sacks, and for him, there’s not many feelings that compare with sacking a Quarterback.

I just love sacking the Quarterback, man. Just seeing how excited the fans are when I get a sack. It’s a true feeling. Unexplainable. 

The moment when I got the sack against Miami, and just looking at the crowd. That was something I never thought I’d feel at 17. That was a real happy moment.