Kendrick Raphael: "I'm Just Trying To Do As Much As I Can"

NC State running back Kendrick Raphael met with the media to discuss his role, how the offense can improve, and much more.

NOTE: Click the video above to watch the interview.

How would you personally assess your performance over the past few games? 
I've just been playing as hard as I can. It's getting better every week. I'm just trying to do as much as I can for the team.

What differences do you see between year one and year two? 
Coming off tackles a lot more because of the way all the offseason work I've been putting in.  Just coming off guys more easily.

I know one way you earned playing time as a freshman was through your pass protection. Is that still something you're taking a lot of pride in? 
Yeah, I take a lot of pride in protecting my QB. I haven't gotten it so much this year, but I'm just trying to stay consistent with that. 

With some new guys coming in this year, you did a piece of competition in the backfield. It looks like you got a little chip on your shoulder. Is that the case? 
Like I said before, there's a lot of great players on this team. You've just got to give yourself an opportunity to present yourself. Every opportunity I get, I try to make the most of it. 

What's the morale of the team heading into a game like Saturday against Syracuse? 
We're going to play harder. We're going to play way better than we did last game. We're going to scratch what we did in the past. We're going to try to make this game a win. Just another week.

You were able to share carries in high school with another talented running back. How much did that help you adjust in the thought process of sharing carries in college? 
It prepared me a lot. Just sharing it, it's not only going to be you. It prepared me a lot more because I was really just sharing that backfield.

At the beginning of the game, you guys had a reset moment. Turned it around, had a great finish. You know it can be done. Now you're getting into the second half of the season. Does this feel like a reset moment for you guys? 
For sure it does. Trying to reset and just get back on our feet really. Trying to, like I said, keep everything in the past. 

Obviously circumstances are far from ideal, but have you seen the offense rally around CJ as starting quarterback? 
Yeah, we rally a lot. Just being there for him and him being there for us as well. Just leaning on him. 

How significant has Coach Thunder been in your development? 
(Coach) Thunder's been really, really good with his programs, and his workouts over the summer have helped me a lot. As you see me getting off the ice, he's really just playing his heart out. 

A lot of running backs have different styles. How did you find about your own style? And how you describe it? 
Coming in, I feel like I was really too fast. Just wanted to get the ball and just run. Being here, I just wanted to be more patient. Just seeing my reads and just developing different aspects of my game.

You were a freshman last year, so you know what it's like. Have you really been impressed with CJ's maturity and how he handles things? 
Yes, for sure. He's a lot more mature than you would think. He carries himself in a well-mounted group.