WATCH: NC State OT Jacarrius Peak is Embracing a Leadership Role (with transcript)

In his first year as a full-time starter, Redshirt Junior Jacarrius Peak was the 2nd highest graded player on NC State’s offense last season (78.7), according to PFF. Peak met with the media on Wednesday, discussing what it meant to be included on Bruce Feldman’s Freak List and embracing a leadership role this year.

You can watch the video above, and read the transcript below.

What was your reaction to being on the Freaks List?

I mean, just the hard work that Coach Thunder puts us through every day in the off-season. It just shows that it pays off eventually.

What’s it like being the older guy in the Offensive Line room?

I mean, I’m not the oldest in the O-line room.

There’s still somebody in there that’s older than me, that’s been before me. So I still got somebody to look up to, and ask for help when I need it. So I’m still adapting to certain things, just like the younger guys.

Learning to work with Teague Anderson at Right Tackle…

I mean, Teague showed me that he played it before, and that he’s going to play it here. So it’s no different. It’s just a new team and a new organization that he’s playing for.

When guys get numbers like 1,000 yards rushing or 3,000 yards passing, you guys at the O-Line don’t really get a lot of glory. Is that your sort of way of getting the glory, seeing those guys succeed?

Yeah, for sure. Without us, the offense can’t start. So I mean, whenever great plays and positive plays happen, we just use that to motivate each other, celebrate with each other, knowing that because of us, that play happened.

You ever think back, at one point, you were a blocking Tight End. And now, 308 pounds, playing Left Tackle. What’s that journey been like?

Just going through different eating habits, knowing what to put in my body, knowing how to take care of my body.

Freshman and Sophomore year, I was young, immature. I didn’t know what to do with my body. Now, I know I got a lot of resources that help me out.

So knowing what to do with my body, and knowing that they take care of me, I’m good.

What have you seen from some of your skilled players, just the receiving group? How do they look this year when you compare it to past camps?

I mean, every skill position group I play around is explosive. But I mean, every year, we’re working to get better than last year.

So I feel like our skill players this year are just coming out, making more explosive plays, being there for each other, like we coached over the offseason.

What were the biggest things you wanted to improve on from last year to this year?

Just being a more vocal leader, being more positive, bringing energy to my offense. Personally, just being more square, being good in running and pass, but not just one, both of them.

What’s it been like watching Jonathan Paylor?

Legit fast. I don’t know how he be running like that. I don’t know how he get so fast, but legit fast. It’s amazing to see all our running backs being explosive, making plays. So it’s fun to watch, can’t wait till the season.

When do you start looking at East Carolina? Have you gotten to that point yet, or are you still in kind of the middle of camp?

No, not really. I’m dealing with where my feet are.

Keep my tunnel vision. Going one day at a time.

You guys have that game circled? Was it a motivator all off season after the bowl game, and having them coincidentally as the opener?

I mean, we go one game a week, so whoever comes first, ECU is first, obviously, so that’s what we’re worrying about first, and then whenever we take care of business, we worry about the next.