Jacarrius Peak: "Without Us The Offense Can't Start"
NC State left tackle Jacarrius Peak recently met with the media to discuss the Wolfpack's offense, the season opener against East Carolina, and much more.
NOTE: Click the video above to watch the interview.
On Coach Thunder getting everyone ready…
I mean, just the hard work that Coach Thunder put us through every day in the offseason just shows that it pays off eventually.
What's this been like, kind of getting used to this new offensive line, kind of being the older guy in the group that's looked to?
I'm not the oldest of the O-line room. There's still somebody in there that's older than me, that's been before me, so I still got somebody to look up to and ask for help when I need it, so I'm still adapting to certain things, just like the other guys.
Have you kind of helped Teague adjust to the right tackle?
Teague showed me that he played it before and that he's going to play it here, so there's no difference, it's just a new team and a new organization that he's playing for.
When guys get numbers like 1,000 yards rushing or 3,000 yards passing, you guys at the line don't really get a lot of glory. Is that your sort of way of getting the glory, seeing those guys succeed and do well?
Yeah, for sure. Without us, the offense can't start, so, I mean, whenever great plays and positive plays happen, we just use those five and motivate each other, like, celebrate with each other, knowing that, like, because of us, that play happened.
Do you ever think back, like, at one point, you're a blocking tight end, and now, full-blown, 308 pounds, playing left tackle. What's that journey been like?
Just going through different eating habits, knowing what to put in my body, knowing how to take care of my body. Freshman, sophomore year, I was young, immature, didn't know what to do with my body. Now, I know I have a lot of resources that help me out, so knowing what to do with my body, so they take care of me, like, I'm good with it.
What have you seen from some of your skilled players, just the receiving group? How do they look this year, maybe compared to past camps?
Every skilled position group I play around is explosive, but, I mean, every year, we're working to get better than last year, so I feel like our skilled players this year just coming out, making more explosive plays, being up for each other, like we coached over the offseason.
What were the biggest things you wanted to improve on from last year to this year?
Just being a more vocal leader, being more positive, bringing the energy to my offense. Personal-wise, just being more square, being good in running paths, but not just one, both of them.
What's it been like watching Jonathan Paylor and his evolution in the offense?
Legit fast. How he be running, like, I don't know how he get so fast, but legit fast. It's amazing to see all our running backs being explosive, making plays, so it's fun to watch. Can't wait till the season.
When did you start looking at East Carolina? Have you gotten to that point yet, or are you still in the middle of camp?
No, not really. I'm being where my feet are, keeping my tunnel vision and going a day at a time.
You guys have that game circled, though, like it's like a motivator all offseason after four games and has them coincidentally as the opener?
We go to one game a week, so whoever comes first, ECU is first, obviously, so that's what we're worrying about first, and then whenever we take care of business, we worry about the next.