Davin Vann: "Our Defense Is Going To Be Really Good"

NC State defensive lineman Davin Vann answered questions from the podium at the 2024 ACC Football Kickoff.

How much are you specifically looking forward to stepping up as a leader on the defensive side of the ball?
I'm looking forward to it a lot. I had some great guys in front of me coming up, Drake, Payton, Zay, all those guys. They taught me a lot in the four years I've been here.

I'm looking forward to it, excited to take charge and be the leader of the defense.

You were awarded the No. 1 jersey. Coach Doeren said because you play with one speed. What speed is that?
100%, 100%. That's something Coach Thunder has helped instill in me. Coach Gibby, too. Just playing 100%, giving it all you got every time you go out there. That's my one speed.

You leave the state three times. How important is that, to play most of your games within the state of North Carolina this season?
That's real important. We have a great fanbase. Wolfpack Nation helps us a lot in games. They bring the energy and stuff like that.

I think playing most of our games in state is a really good opportunity for us, and we're going to enjoy every moment of it.

You were a wrestler in high school. How does your wrestling background help you in football?
It helps me a lot. Wrestling has taught me a lot about self-discipline, body leverage, control, things like that. It's helped take my game to the next level.

Originally I didn't really want to wrestle, but my mom forced me to. I'm appreciative of that. But yeah, it's helped me a lot, for sure.

The video, that decision for you to come back, just that moment, bring me into that, how much fun that was to do with your family, and also the why of doing that. When we hear from NC State, there's something about when you're there, you stay.
There was a lot of things that I wanted to work on personally. Coach Doeren has helped me a lot with those things mentally, emotionally, and physically as well. It was more the mental, emotional part that was one of the biggest reasons I wanted to stay. I also felt like there was a lot of unfinished business that I had to wrap up before I left.

Those were kind of the biggest factors in why I stayed.

There's been a lot of talk this off-season about the revamped offense. On the defensive side of the football, are you taking that personally?
Of course, we take it a little bit personally. It's understandable. A lot of people think that 'cause we lost Payton we lost our whole defense. That's definitely not the case.

The transfer portal has helped play a really big role in that. We have some dawgs that are ready to go out there and play. Our defense is going to be really good.

You spoke about family. You have your younger brother on campus. Do you give him his space? Do you hang out a whole lot?
Yeah, we see each other every day, of course in the weight room and stuff. We love hanging out outside of football. Having my little brother at NC State with me takes the aspect of brotherhood to a whole 'nother level. I enjoy being a part of his college journey, and I really enjoy having him as part of mine.