NC State defensive coordinator DJ Eliot met with the media to discuss the transfer portal additions, how they are progressing, and much more!
NOTE: Click the video above to watch the full press conference!
On the improvements on defense...
From year one to year two, we've made some big improvements. The guys have bought in, they're playing hard. We've got a lot of enthusiasm out there, even with the new guys. We've really been able to develop a culture and a cohesion with those guys.
I'm really excited where we're at. We've got a lot to go, we've got a lot to get better at. Long ways away, but it's been a great spring.
How much different is it this spring than last spring? When it comes to learning the defense?
Some guys actually know that this is the big one. It's a 1A, it really is. We were installing a new defense last year. Everybody was from the ground. Now we're able to build off some of the things we did last year. Not only that, we have video of us doing it. We're able to give them a picture.
A picture is worth a thousand words of teaching. It's been a great off-season. We've had great meetings, we've had great practice. I like where we're at. We still have a long way to go, but we've made some big progress this spring.
Last year was a scramble to try to find edge rushers and outside linebacker types. What is it like this year, knowing you've got Harvey Dyson, you've got some guys that will understand what they need to do? Last year, we didn't even have our edge rushers at this time.
If you remember, we had Tra, but we didn't have Sabastian, we didn't have Cian. We didn't get them until the spring portal. And we didn't get some of our DBs until the spring portal, too.
Now with that portal window closed, we were able to get our players and know that we're going to have our players in the winter and into the season. And it's been great to be able to develop guys and to know that you've got some talent over there and to know that those guys are ready to play.
What popped about Dyson at Tulane?
He was a great pass rusher. Nine and a half, ten sacks. Played really hard. He actually had some good video from Texas Tech as well. So we knew he could play at the highest level of college football. At Tulane, he played against great competition as well, making it to the playoffs.
So we had seen him against good players. And his ability to rush the passer and play on the edge was what we liked.
What have you seen from Popo Aguirre at this point that adds to his defense?
Popo is really good against the run. Popo has great leadership ability. He's eager to learn. He really, really wants to be a guy that people can follow. And I've been really pleased with him.
Who's maybe stood out that you weren't expecting to so far this spring?
I don't know that there is anybody I wasn't expecting to be, but I think Brian Nelson's made some big strides from last year. He had a good spring. And many others, too. A lot of new players have done well. I think that the guys who really buy in.
Would you practice against? How much preparation is that for the season, which you're practicing against on the offense? How does that help you prepare for the season?
I think it's tremendous. Our quarterback is as good as anybody out there. So he's going to make the right reads. He's going to make the right throws. He's athletic. And so that's preparing us for great quarterbacks.
Our offense is multiple, so we see a lot of different looks, which is going to have us ready for different types of offense. And Kurt and those guys do a great job. They try to attack our scheme. So we're going to be ready for that. I think it's been a great spring. It's been competitive. Our offense is playing well. And it's helped us a bunch on defense.
Da’Karri Nelson is a guy who was coming here looking for an opportunity. What have you seen from him early on spring camp?
Huge strides. Enthusiastic, eager, learned the defense this spring. Played hard. I'm really pleased with Da’karri.
