WATCH: DE Sabastian Harsh Chose NC State Because of Their Family Culture (with transcript)

Redshirt Senior Defensive End Sabastian Harsh had quite the NC State debut last Thursday night, finishing with 7 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1 pass breakup and 1 QB hurry. PFF gave Harsh an overall grade of 90.2, which was the best grade on the Wolfpack’s defense.

Harsh met with the media after practice yesterday leading up to NC State’s game against UVA this Saturday. For him, the Wolfpack’s family culture was the reason he came to Raleigh for his final collegiate season.

You can watch the video ABOVE, and read the transcript BELOW.

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What was it like to be able to get out there for the first time in an NC State uniform?

Yeah, so I’ve been waiting a really long time since entering the Portal. So it’s kind of nice just to put any uniform on, but what makes it really special is when it’s an NC State one.

First experience in Carter-Finley, it was a great fan experience. I know my parents loved it for sure too, so it was kind of all in one package. It was a great day.

You looked really excited out there too. I mean, after tackles, you could see the emotion that you’re playing with. Where does that come from?

Just playing for my brothers, my family. The coach says it all the time, we’re not just a team, we’re a family. So I feel like if you take that to heart, it makes it even easier to play your best.

During the game, and after the game, a lot of the State fans were excited about you and (Cian) Slone. How well do y’all think y’all played, and how much better can you get over the course of the season?

I think he does a really good job of working really hard every single day. There’s times during practice where I’ll watch him, and it’ll kind of juice me up, and I’ll want to work harder.

I think just being able to feed off each other as a D-line, as a whole defensive unit, sky’s the limit.

What was one of the reasons that you came to NC State?

It was actually for the family. Just the simple fact that coach didn’t call it a team at first. He called it a family.

Even speaking with my parents after the game, they were talking about other players parents. The question was, ‘When did your kid join the family?’ It was never ‘When did your kid join the team?,’ or anything like that. So just something as simple as that, can go a long way.

So in a day and age where this game’s about money, you’re talking about family. That’s kind of unusual, isn’t it?

I think more than anything, it’s the relationship you build with your teammates, and the staff inside the building. Whether it’s Keith making omelets and stuff in the morning, something as small as that, it goes a really long way.

Did you shoot your former teammate at Virginia text messages already?

No, we talked a little bit in the summer and stuff, but we made a no contact clause together.

So I’m sure after the game, we’ll have some nice words to talk, but until then, it’s getting ready for the game.

It seems like you’re in the backfield a lot. What was working for you to keep getting through their Offensive Line?

Just training. More than anything, effort beats a lot of schemes. Just playing hard, fast, tough football.

At what point this offseason did you realize you could make an impact on this team?

I don’t really think there was really a specific point or anything. I think it was just kind of that gradual build up, just getting more confident through drills in the Summer, and then Fall Camp.

It was kind of like a slow build up, and then once the game came, it was like, ‘All right, I’m ready, let’s go.’

Did you feel like you had something to prove in game one?

Not necessarily myself, but definitely for the team. We played really hard for Ruff (Ruffin McNeill), and so just like coach said, it’s a respect game. So just earning our respect back. It was more just playing for the team, understanding what I’m doing is not just for myself, but for these guys too.

Have you watched Virginia?

Yeah, I watched the last game on TV. I watched them on tape the last couple days.

I think they’re a really good team. They play hard. It’s not going to be easy, or anything like that. They’ve got guys on scholarship too. We’ve just got to get ready for the game.

Practice really hard and prepare the right way.