NC State Football
Expectations Are High For Alston
Johnathan Alston has undergone significant change on the field. His approach remains the same.
As a wide receiver in his first three seasons at NC State, the Bunn (NC) native made big plays against top competition. His two career touchdowns came versus Florida State as a sophomore and Clemson as a junior.
Now Alston will seek to prevent scores.
Alston redshirt last season while transitioning to cornerback, and the move could benefit the redshirt senior's future.
“I was with it," Alston said of the position change. “I have played receiver all of my life, but DB is something I felt like I could do. I have put in my mind that I can do anything. I come out with a winning attitude every day.
"Even though I changed my position I still come out with the same attitude like I have been playing the position. I am just going to be the same guy I have always been. I am going to play my game.”
For those privileged enough to witness practices, Alston continuing to work on his new craft afterward is a common sight.
He is open to instruction.
“I am willing to learn, even if it is from a freshman or anybody,” Alston confided. “With this position comes technique so I work on that with the coaches, and I work on it after practice.”
His new position coach is pleased with what he has seen, but also somewhat sad that he'll only have Alston for one season.
“I wish he had been with me even longer,” NC State cornerbacks coach George Barlow said. “He is doing a great job. He is embracing the move. He is doing a really good job of learning the details of the position. He still has a lot to learn, but what helps him is he is so naturally gifted.”
Alston is particularly looking forward to returning to the field at Carter-Finley Stadium.
Regardless of the position he plays, the thrill of The Carter and playing in from of the Wolfpack faithful is magnificent.
He recently was able to interact with fans at Meet the Pack Day and, while it was not his first rodeo with Wolfpack Nation, the experience is something that never ceases to amaze.
“They tell you information that you don’t even expect them to know,” Alston said of NC State fans. "They know your name or a catch you had one game [laughing]. It is fun. It is shocking to me.”
And when Alston runs out onto the Carter-Finley turf once again it will be a rousing moment for him. He knows this for certain because it always has been.
“I remember my first game coming out here, playing in front of all of these fans," Alston recalled. "It was nerve-wracking. It was a great environment. A lot of fans come out and support us, and we need all the fans we can get.
"Smoke going in your face, your teammates. It is hard to describe. It really is."
As a wide receiver in his first three seasons at NC State, the Bunn (NC) native made big plays against top competition. His two career touchdowns came versus Florida State as a sophomore and Clemson as a junior.
Now Alston will seek to prevent scores.
Alston redshirt last season while transitioning to cornerback, and the move could benefit the redshirt senior's future.
“I was with it," Alston said of the position change. “I have played receiver all of my life, but DB is something I felt like I could do. I have put in my mind that I can do anything. I come out with a winning attitude every day.
"Even though I changed my position I still come out with the same attitude like I have been playing the position. I am just going to be the same guy I have always been. I am going to play my game.”
I have played receiver all of my life, but DB is something I felt like I could do. I have put in my mind that I can do anything. I come out with a winning attitude every day.
For those privileged enough to witness practices, Alston continuing to work on his new craft afterward is a common sight.
He is open to instruction.
“I am willing to learn, even if it is from a freshman or anybody,” Alston confided. “With this position comes technique so I work on that with the coaches, and I work on it after practice.”
His new position coach is pleased with what he has seen, but also somewhat sad that he'll only have Alston for one season.
“I wish he had been with me even longer,” NC State cornerbacks coach George Barlow said. “He is doing a great job. He is embracing the move. He is doing a really good job of learning the details of the position. He still has a lot to learn, but what helps him is he is so naturally gifted.”
Alston is particularly looking forward to returning to the field at Carter-Finley Stadium.
Regardless of the position he plays, the thrill of The Carter and playing in from of the Wolfpack faithful is magnificent.
He recently was able to interact with fans at Meet the Pack Day and, while it was not his first rodeo with Wolfpack Nation, the experience is something that never ceases to amaze.
I wish he had been with me even longer. He is doing a great job. He is embracing the move. He is doing a really good job of learning the details of the position. He still has a lot to learn, but what helps him is he is so naturally gifted.
“They tell you information that you don’t even expect them to know,” Alston said of NC State fans. "They know your name or a catch you had one game [laughing]. It is fun. It is shocking to me.”
And when Alston runs out onto the Carter-Finley turf once again it will be a rousing moment for him. He knows this for certain because it always has been.
“I remember my first game coming out here, playing in front of all of these fans," Alston recalled. "It was nerve-wracking. It was a great environment. A lot of fans come out and support us, and we need all the fans we can get.
"Smoke going in your face, your teammates. It is hard to describe. It really is."
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