NC State OLB Harvey Dyson met with the media to discuss fall camp, facing CJ Bailey in practice, the Wolfpack’s defense, and much more!
NOTE: Click the video above to watch the full press conference!
On the defense during Fall camp...
And that's been one of our main goals as a unit on the defensive side. The offense pretty much took over the identity of being the group or the unit of the team, and we made an emphasis to bring it back to the defensive side of the ball—just letting everybody know that, hey, the defense, we run this thing. We're going to be the guys to pick the team up and lead the team. The offense kind of already has their identity, so that's pretty much what we've been focused on this whole offseason from January to now: just continuing to grow our identity, making sure we're the focal point of the team, and wanting to lead the team.
You're playing against CJ every day in practice, which makes you as defenders a lot better knowing that he has the potential to be not just one of the best signal callers here in the ACC, but in the country.
No, definitely. Playing against CJ every day, he makes crazy throws. I'm out there telling him as I pass or run by, "Man, that was a great throw." I feel like he makes every throw in the book. Our DBs see that and have to guard every route tree on the field, and me having to contain him when he can run and make every throw—having CJ to look at out there every day is perfect. You don't get a better look in the country.
You've played with some accomplished quarterbacks between Texas Tech and Tulane, and now you're with CJ. What traits do quarterbacks show that really impress even the defensive guys on the team?
With CJ, the thing I like about him is he commands the offense. He doesn't take any BS, so if he tells everybody to be on the same page, that's what he expects. That's not just for the offense, but the defense too—whether that's lifting or doing team runs, anything. I really like his command of the team and his leadership. We all know his on-field ability, but when you have that off-field ability to be a leader and command a team, I feel like that's what throws you over the top as a quarterback.
When you entered the transfer portal, what was it about Coach Eliot and NC State that got your attention right away?
Just the previous mindset of the defense. When I think about NC State, I think about defense. Even if that mindset hasn't transferred these last few years, well, we're here to bring it back. That was my biggest thing: NC State as a defensive team. I know Coach Doeren, Thunder, and Eliot—all the guys that they helped push to the league. I felt like I could step right in and it would be a great fit for me.
What's one word that keeps you going every day?
A word that keeps me going every day? I'm going to say accountability. Just because if you don't have accountability, then you're not going to be able to achieve what you want to achieve. You've got to be accountable for everything you do. Having that in the back of my head every single day—whether I make a play or miss a play, you've got to take accountability.
