Jackson Vick: "We're Excited About What's Coming"

NC State cornerback Jackson Vick met with the media to discuss spring practice, his development, and much more.

NOTE: Click the video above to watch the interview.

How much did the snaps you were able to play last year kind of help fuel you up for the spring? 
Well, I started getting more playing time at the back end. So really, I just learned throughout the year, and that helped me all throughout the season. I was focused just having the guys, Cisse, A. White, Devon Marshall. We all stuck together, and every day we tried to get better. 

You played DB when you were younger at Southern Nash and you put a lot of weight back? You get here. How much have you improved as a corner since you've arrived, doing it full-time? 
Well, really I feel like I've developed every opportunity. Spring, fall, really every opportunity I got. I've learned each and every time we got on the field. I've learned more and more about myself at corner. I think I've gotten way better than I was when I first got here. 

How much do you feel like you've improved down the stretch last season, getting those opportunities to finally get on the field and be on the defense as much as other teams? 
Well, special teams helped me out a lot. So really just playing those snaps and being comfortable out there throughout my first couple years and throughout the back end of the season, I definitely got way more comfortable just being on the field. It helped me a lot. 

How much different does this spring feel for you, given the opportunities you have? 
Well, I feel like more of a leader. Like I have to lead the young guys and the other guys in the defensive back room. It's definitely a blessing, but it's a lot on your shoulders for sure. I'm excited about it. I feel like all the other guys are excited about it too.

How much different does it feel this spring without Brandon Cisse or anyone like that? 
It feels different for sure because I've had Aydan White since I've been here the whole time. This is my fourth year, and Cisse came in right after me. So not having those guys here, it's kind of weird. But it's exciting to see new faces, new opportunities for everybody. 

Did you kind of realize stuff got real after Brandon entered the portal? 
It definitely got real. I talked to Brandon and the other guys a lot. It got real, real fast, but we're excited about what's coming. 

What did you kind of think? Like what would be out there for you now that these guys have moved on? 
Well, I know it would be new opportunities regardless of who was here. But obviously him leaving and other guys leaving, it put me with new opportunities.

What's the transition been like under the new coaching staff? 
It hasn't been too difficult. They came in. They set a great foundation for themselves, and we've just gotten better each and every day. And that's the goal here with this spring, just compete and get better and grow together. 

If there was a dunk contest, would you win? 
I don't know. I think I would win. I think I would win. All the guys that got all the real bounce left.

I think I got more bounce right now. 

How good is it to have Devon Marshall back in the system, to have a little bit more leadership and know-how when it comes to NC State's secondary? 
Devon Marshall, he's a great player, great guy. We've grown closer. He's helped me a lot personally, and I feel like I've helped him a lot too. We help each other grow. We push each other each and every day. So it's great to have him being a leader and just being a great player in the system.