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NC State Coach Aaron Henry’s Pregame Speeches Going Viral

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7 years ago

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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.

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Akron Safety Kerry Martin Jr. will Take an Official Visit at NC State Next Week

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1 hour ago

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May 2, 2024

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Akron Safety Kerry Martin Jr. (6’1″/195) confirmed with me that he will be taking an Official Visit to NC State next week beginning on May 7th.

After receiving an offer from NC State yesterday, it didn’t take him long to set up the visit.

Martin Jr. is familiar with NC State, because he was recruited by Wolfpack Defensive Coordinator Tony Gibson before he left West Virginia to come to Raleigh. Even though he never coached him, a relationship was established.

Martin Jr.’s connections to NC State are deeper than that. Former NC State Cornerback Derrek Pitts, who is currently a member of the Tampa Bay Bucs, is his cousin.

This past year, Martin Jr. recorded 45 tackles, 2 interceptions and 6 pass breakups for Akron, starting in 9 of the 11 games he played in. His PFF Grade was 68.9.

In 2022, he had 53 tackles, 1 interception and 1 pass breakup, starting in 9 of the 11 games he played in. Martin Jr.’s PFF Grade was 60.9.

In 2019, as a Freshman for West Virginia, Martin Jr. earned PFF Freshman All-American honors, recording a grade of 70.6, with 50 tackles and 3 pass breakups.

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NC State Sits in the Top-20 in 247’s Post-Spring 2024 Preseason Poll

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12 hours ago

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May 1, 2024

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247’s Brad Crawford released his Post-Spring 2024 Preseason College Football Top-25 recently, and NC State moved up 1 spot to #20.

ACC Teams in the Top-25

11. FSU

14. Miami

16. Clemson

20. NC State

24. Virginia Tech

25. Louisville

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NC State Ranks 8th in Players Selected in the NFL Draft in the ACC in the Last 10 Years

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3 days ago

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April 29, 2024

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The 2024 NFL Draft has come and gone, and NC State had two players drafted: Linebacker Payton Wilson in the 3rd round, and Center Dylan McMahon in the 6th round.

Over the past 10 years, NC State has produced 25 NFL Draft picks, and 3 1st round picks. The 25 Draft Picks ranks 8th in the ACC, and the 3 1st Round picks is tied for 7th.

NC State produced 18 NFL Draft Picks in the first 5 Draft’s of Dave Doeren’s tenure. Only 8 Wolfpack players have been selected in the past 5 NFL Drafts.

Players selected in the NFL Draft under Dave Doeren:

2024

Payton Wilson, LB – Pittsburgh – 3rd – 98th
Dylan McMahon, C – Philadelphia – 6th – 190th

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NC State CB Shyheim Battle Receives Invitation to Jets Rookie Mini Camp

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4 days ago

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April 28, 2024

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NC State Cornerback Shyheim Battle has received an invitation from the New York Jets to participate in their Rookie Mini Camp.

Battle had 1 year of eligibility remaining, but declared for the NFL Draft on January 3rd.

He finished this past year as the most experienced player on the Wolfpack’s defense, starting in 41 of the 51 games he has played in dating back to 2019. In a rarity in this day-and-age, Battle was a 4-year starter at the Cornerback position for NC State. He graduated with a degree in Communications.

In his final season in Red and White, Battle had 46 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 4 pass breakups and 1 fumble recovery. His PFF Grade of 70.6 was the 7th best on the Wolfpack defense.

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