Jacarrius Peak: "We Know What Our Job Is"
NC State tackle Jacarrius Peak met with the media to discuss transitioning to left tackle, spring practice, and much more.
NOTE: Click the video above to watch the interview.
How the offensive line can be successful in 2025...
Nothing just us playing together as one as a unit and being a unit on the field, knowing that the team is part of this. Depends on how the team moves.
We can't see it, but I'm assuming you slid over to left tackle now at this point. How different is that compared to right tackle for you last year?
It's not, I can do both. So like, it's controversial, like, it's not a difference. It's just like on the play call, like the difference of what side I'm on, whether or not I can play anyone.
You're one of the more experienced guys on this offensive line now, just being at NC State. What is that kind of like a strength in helping the guys on the line kind of get acclimated?
Just being there for my brothers, bringing them along, and helping them learn what I learned already and just continue to be good as one.
Is there a chip on the shoulder that comes with facing some of the criticism the offensive line faced last year and wanting to kind of be a strength in the team this year?
Oh, yeah, most definitely. We come back harder than we ever did, but like, at the end of the day, we know what our job is and we know what the good or the bad is and not get credit. So, at the end of the day, what you got to play out.
You guys have a lot of different options at the center position. What's it kind of like seeing different guys there that could make an impact this year?
Just whoever's ready is ready, like, being ready. The next thing I'm going to tell her, like, if you go down, the next man's going to be ready. So everybody getting that burn and repetition and knowing, like, you can be that guy, like, to play.
I know it's super early, but, like, is there anyone on the line that's newer that is impressing you in the first couple days of practice?
I feel like we all get the same type of work. So, like, I don't see any difference right now. We haven't been on pass or anything. So I feel like we are just playing the long way, continuing to be as one.
What advice have you got for Anthony Belton? What is it like to watch him chase his NFL dreams this month?
I'm proud of Big Brother. When I came in, he taught me everything I know besides the coaches, and I told him, like, good luck. I know what he's going to do. I know he can do it. And he basically just told me, like, do what I learned already, like, being three, four years, like, do whatever it takes to win. And knowing, like, my assignment, knowing, like, I got faith in myself and my brothers.
How have you grown since you showed up at NC State? How have you grown as an offensive lineman since coming in?
Just learning the different types of game. Learning the coaches, the playbook, the coaches, what they like, what they don't like, and just being a dog.
When you do your job and the line does its job as a whole and you see an explosive play, describe that feeling for you.
When we do our job together, everything will work out how it's supposed to, unless it's, like, a little slip-up. But it's a next-play mentality. Like, you got to go on and move on. But when we do our job, we celebrate with each other and move on.
So there's a great joy in that, you would say?
Yeah, most definitely.
Being the left tackle, you have a little more responsibility as blocking the blind side for C.J. Bailey. I mean, how personal do you take that going into this year, and how much pride do you take being the guy, being there as well?
Every time I block, it's personal. I feel like if I lose a rep, that person stops me from feeding my family, and I feel like can't nobody can do that. So I don't plan on losing any reps.
What was it like for you to see Hollywood’s growth throughout the year last year, and kind of figure out where you guys wanted to go as the top playmakers for this offense?
I knew he was going to do it. As my brother, we taught, like, we are brothers. We taught each other to know, like, at home, like, what we're going to do with the goals for the season. And when you do it, and when they do it, I just smile because I know, like, it's going to happen. Good for him to carry.