RAPID FIRE: Nick McCloud

Nick McCloud enters the 2018 campaign as the veteran in the secondary for NC State. The junior recently spoke to Inside Pack Sports about how things are going, the competition in practice, defensive expectations and more.

How beneficial is it going up against Kelvin Harmon and Steph Louis everyday in practice?

Kelvin and I came in together so we told each other we are going to make each other better everyday. He is still my roommate now so that is one thing we try to do, to make each other better everyday.

With Steph it is a little different. He is a different style of player but they both are bigger receivers. It is going to help me out.

With all of the players lost due to graduation from the 2017 team is this year a chance for you to be a leader on defense?

I have always felt like I was one of the leaders, even when I came in as a true freshman I tried to come in with my own style of play. It was just coming in and competing, even when I was true freshman, so I don’t think it has changed. I am just kind of older now.

Are there any players off the grid that NC State fans should look out for in 2018?

We have been doing really well as a team so it is hard to single out a couple guys.

What players on defense have stood out?

I feel like this is a time here a lot of guys on defense are going to surprise some people this year. It is a good opportunity for us.

Chris [Ingram] has been doing really well. [Vernon] Grier has been doing really well. Maurice [Trowell], coming over from wide receiver, has been picking it up pretty well.

Then you have [Germain] Pratt too.

It is early but what impressions do you have of the defensive unit so far?

I feel like we have got a lot more chemistry than we did last year. We had older guys last year but I feel like the chemistry this year is going to be a lot better and it has helped me a lot in practice because we have been practising a lot together.