Tyler Baker-Williams: "We All Just Stick Together"

NC State nickel Tyler Baker-Williams discusses his return to the field and much more with the Pack set to host Virginia Tech.

NOTE: Click the video above to watch the interview.

Tyler, similar question for you. Getting a chance to have the bye week this past week, how important was that? Obviously, you were able to return against Syracuse, but still being able to fully recover.
Yeah, I mean it was a good time. We had the bye week at the perfect time. Really with the rest and recovery, and a way that we can get our bodies back, get our minds back, take the mistakes off film, learn from the mistakes that we made on film, and kind of just get better and take another step up to where we want to be.

Give me your thoughts on tape and what you're facing this week, sir.
They're a gritty team, a very gritty team. They're always gritty every time we play them, every time we've been up there. When we played them, I think it was 2020, core team kind of gave it to us a little bit. So it's a chip on our shoulder and we're going there to compete. We always do.

Did the bye week come at a good time for you guys?
Yes. It came at a good time. We had a couple down games, lost a couple games, but this is the perfect time for us to rebuild, get back to where we were, get our bodies back right, and play to the speed. Play fast and physical like we know how to play.

There's some negativity going on right now; how do you get that out and kind of flush that, get that out of the way?
We all just stick together. We never really pay attention to the outside negativity. We kind of just like... The love in this building is real, so we just stick with each other and keep each other up. And that's the main goal we've been having.

Payton was saying that there's not any more pressure on a defense, it's just a matter of doing your jobs and doing what you guys do. But have you done, you guys as a defense, go to the offensive guys and give them encouragement? Or pat them on the back or kind of say, "Hey, it's okay, we got your back." That kind of thing?
Most definitely. Just like I said, we all brothers in here. It's not really a difference at the side of the ball. We don't really separate offense, defense, special teams. It's all just one team, like it should be. One person, one player, one side of the ball down, we picking them up. Other side is down, they pick us up. It's just complimentary football like we always talk about.

What was it like for you getting back on the field after missing some time with an injury?
Man, it felt good. I'm not going to lie, it felt good, felt like a relief. Felt like a breath fresh air just down there with the guys. So its always fun and loving playing with those guys out there on that field.

How did you enjoy your Saturday off?
Good. I went to the fair a little bit, kind of kicked back, watched some football with my pops, family. I chilled with some of the teammates a little bit. So just a relaxing day really was we needed.

Talking about you out with the injury, only a few home games left, you starting to think of how precious every opportunity is?
Yes, most definitely. Every game I step out on that field is a great opportunity. Like coach says, respect the gift of the field. Every time you step on that field, respect the game, and that's what I try and do every time I step out there.

How about the importance of your role as a whole? I mean, being the nickel and doing so many things in this 3-3-5 defense, how important is that for you to be back out there, too?
I try my best to do my job to the best of my ability. My coach believe in me, my teammates believe in me, and I know that I'm an important piece of the defense as well as everybody else. I'm just trying to do my job to the best of my ability and make it easier on everybody else around me.