NC State Nickel Ja'Had Carter: "I Got To Bring It Everyday"

Safety Ja'Had Carter is ready for his first game wearing a NC State uniform. He recently met with the media to discuss his play in fall camp and much more.

NOTE: Click the video above to watch the interview.

On playing at nickel corner…

Kind of similar to Syracuse, playing nickel is something that I've done there. So it's kind of a smooth transition, I would say.
 

Are you happy to be back in the ACC?

Yes, sir.

What was the biggest moment or memory playing in the ACC?

I really saved my game at Clemson, and fortunate that we get to go down there this year. So I've got to be better than last time when I went down there when I was at Syracuse. 
 

Is it better being closer to home now?

Definitely. About, you know, three hours, two and a half, three hours. It's good. You know, family can make it to more games and that sort. So, yeah, definitely. 

What’s camp been like for you so far?

Really just, you know, good on good going up against a guy like KC every day. You know, got to stay sharp. He is younger, but he's way ahead of his time, I feel like. So, you know, I got to bring it every day. 

What’s the hardest part about going against KC?

KC just, he's slippery. You know, fast guys... ittle shifty guys. You got to, like I said, you got to be on your P's and Q's.

Did you watch him at all last year? What he was doing here his freshman year?

I definitely heard about him that, you know, he really was tearing ACC up.

So I was excited about that coming in.  Knowing that I'm going to have a guy that's going to keep me sharp as well. 

What did you learn the most about yourself last year at Ohio State after joining there after starting at Syracuse? What was the biggest learning lesson for you?

Really staying healthy and being available. Because, you know, without being available, I mean, you really can't play. So that was my biggest thing. Really just staying healthy and being available.

So Ja’Had, what was it like seeing your name at the top of that depth chart?

I mean, really, less putting in the work. I just feel like we got to put it all on the line this year, being able to play next year. I mean, jobs, you know, just getting started. So, you got to put everything forward and put all the chips on the table. 

What’s been the biggest thing you’ve had to re-learn having to play the nickel position as opposed to playing safety?

So, I mean, kind of similar to the position I played at Syracuse. I mean, that was, you know, two years ago. So just getting back into the groove of doing all the man zone underneath. You know, opposed to being more high, like safety. So that took OTAs, putting in work, breaks, you know, training and things like that. So just putting in the work to get back comfortable.

What went into your decision to leave Ohio State and come here this year?

Really, to be showcased better. It's really just being out of Ohio State, being injured and things like that. And I just felt like it was time for a change to really, you know, get things going.  

On Noah Rogers joining him in coming to NC State…

No, yeah, Noah, things I see him do here at practice. I mean, it was similar to what he was doing there. Him playing behind a guy like Marvin Harrison Jr.  I feel like it's just a lot of stuff that he already knew. And then the things that he's seen him do and just translate to the game. And Noah's just continuously on the rise.

Do you think it’s a big advantage for you that you know the ACC?

I feel like definitely, you know, some of the guys that we played. Clemson, some of those teams, seeing them in my previous years. So I feel like it would definitely be an advantage.

What have you learned playing against Kevin Concepcion and seeing him actually out on the field?

KC is a guy, like I was talking over there. He's fast, physical, like, you know, he's all the above.

So really, just with him, you've got to be on your P's and Q's. You know, you can't come into practice sluggish or slacking because it will show.

What do you remember from Syracuse vs. NC State games?

Really, taking it back to my freshman year, just real physical. You know, these guys here really preach on physicality and those things. And that game was a real physical game so you know you’ve got to bring it. 

Did that play a role in picking NC State? That you saw what it was like versus them? 

Definitely stood out. Just, you know, seeing those guys on the field camaraderie and how those guys played. Definitely was not an easy decision, but definitely stepped out to me.

So in the last 3 years you’ve had to practice against a Robert Anae offense; what have you seen from the scheme that maybe we haven’t seen yet?

 I mean, just, you know, typically what he does, he's a guy that does what he does day in and day out. So, come Thursday, I mean, you guys will see what we've been working on and what we've been doing.

The Athletic listed you as one of the top, 100 or so, transfers in this offseason. What do you specifically want to bring to this defense?

Just bring whatever I need to. Like I said, the physicality. Being in the back end, helping those guys make some plays on the ball. Really just being a part of this great defense that [it] has been. Definitely cause some turnovers to ease up our offense.

There's been an emphasis the last four years in this defense of causing interceptions. How much of an emphasis is put on that during practice and all throughout the offseason so far?

I mean, obviously, when you drill and everything, taking the ball away, that's just the main thing. Get the ball back to the offense, get the ball back to the offense. So, I mean, it just, that's just our main priority. Also, you know, doing our job, but when you get a chance to take a shot at the ball or intercept the ball, you gotta make it count.

How much does it help coming in with DK and Kerry?

Those are just guys that [have] real experience, older guys. So, you know, it's just those guys are smart. They tell me things. I tell those guys things. And it's easier when you have older guys in the back end. It's just easier to communicate and things like that because we play so much football.

This is it for you, the urgency. Can that make you a better football player, the urgency of this? This is it for you.

I feel like, yeah. I mean, you're pushing all the chips down the table and you don't got anything else. I mean, it's just go hard [or] go home, really.

Defensively how has it been like adjusting to that 2-minute warning at the periods. I know coaches have had you doing a lot of “game-like” situations. You talk about the urgency to get the ball back, what have you noticed in that experience?

I mean, really just knowing whether it's a two-minute situation or four-minute. Just doing our job and really knowing the situation. Because if you don't and you think it's a different situation, you can play a certain way and it can cost you.