For NC State senior wide receiver Wesley Grimes, this week isn’t just another chance to line up under the lights — it’s another opportunity to lead, compete, and be grateful for the moment.
The Wolfpack face an undefeated Georgia Tech squad, but for Grimes, the focus remains simple: execute, lead, and appreciate the chance to play.
“On film, they’re mainly a zone team, a person taking down,” Grimes said of the Jackets. “We’re going to just attack the zones and really just work on what we need to get better on. It’s about fixing our mistakes on offense.”
Georgia Tech’s defense is extremely aggressive and fast — something Grimes said NC State’s receivers have emphasized in their preparation.
“They attack, they attack the ball, they play downhill fast,” he said. “Just really attacking those zones and making sure we’re on the right person, doing our assignment, doing our job. When 11 people are doing their job on offense, the plays are usually successful.”
After a tough road loss at Pittsburgh last week, leadership has become a key talking point for the Wolfpack. Grimes, one of the team’s senior voices, said that player-led accountability is critical.
“Coming off a loss, leadership always has to step up a little bit because if it doesn’t, things can go downhill quickly,” he explained. “The leaders are forced to step up and just keep everybody set up, keep the vibes positive around here. Leadership is really big this week.”
And that leadership, Grimes said, means more when it comes from within.
“It’s huge for players because at the end of the day, the coaches aren’t the ones playing... it’s us,” he said. “When players step up, it’s contagious, and everybody feels it, even the freshmen. Being a player-led program is bigger than the coaches leading everything.”
For Grimes, he understands the end to his college career is near, so it matters even more.
“I’m a senior, so time runs short for me,” he said. “I just tell myself that every chance I get to practice, play football, and I’m healthy to play this game, I give it all I’ve got.”
That mindset has helped set the tone for the wide receivers.
“Just be positive, while I get to do it because a lot of people would dream to be in my position,” he added. “Carrying that energy with me and getting the receivers to do that and the offense and the whole team, that’s really what I’m trying to do.”
Even as NC State prepares for one of its toughest challenges of the season, Grimes insists the team is approaching the week with a certain level of focus.
“They’re statistically a top ten team in the country, but we’re treating it like it’s just another game,” he said. “It’s a conference opponent. It’s a big game for us. Obviously, the goal is to come out on top, and it’ll be a big win for this program. For us, it’s just the expectations.”
How does it feel to be back in Carter-Finley after nearly a month?
“It’s really good. It’s comfortable,” he said. “It’s always exciting to get out in front of the fans. For me, it feels like we’ve had a lot of home games this year, and I love playing at home. Any time I’m getting home, playing in front of the home crowd, it’s always exciting.”
For the Raleigh native, staying home to finish his college career has been special beyond football.
“It’s been great,” Grimes said. “Just hanging out with family and friends and being able to see my little brother grow up and go to his games. That’s just been big for me. When I committed to come here, that was a good thing for me — being able to be around my family and be around friends, and the place I grew up. I love Raleigh. I love the city I grew up in.”
