NC State OL Rico Jackson met with the media to discuss Fall camp, the offensive line, and much more!
NOTE: Click the video above to watch the full press conference!
On CJ Bailey...
You always want to make everybody, it doesn't matter, the stadium. You're gonna feel his energy; that's just who he is. You're always gonna bring it. Practice, one-on-ones, team—it doesn't matter. You're gonna bring it in the film room; that's just the type of person he is. That's why I like him; that's what I like about him.
What is the thing you're most excited about this season to prove to people?
I'm excited. I'm ready to prove that NC State is not to be played with. That's what I'm ready to do.
How do you guys do that?
One thing we're gonna do is run that ball, all right? So I better buckle up, you hear me? Big #64 is coming, I'm telling you.
And having a guy like Duke back there, a guy that wants to be more of a bruiser, has the breakaway speed, but wants to run into contact. I mean, how much different does that make it for you guys having him back there?
It doesn't make any difference. Hold on, hold on, we still got to block the front six. I love whatever back we got; either way—it doesn't matter. Power back, speed back—it doesn't matter. We're still gonna get through that hole.
Rico, have you seen Kamen improve over the last year, trying to really get a hold of that starting spot now?
I see Kamen has really taken a major step in the guard's perspective. He's got way a little bit better than me. So his footwork is clean, but it's different from guard and tackle. It's different footsteps, different angle of departure. That's just all that comes out of me, really.
Coach Tujague talked about how deep this offensive line is. Do you think this is probably one of the deepest lines you've had since you've been here?
I'd say the second. I've been here for four years, so second. In my first year, we had a lot of depth.
And then just second year with Kurt Roper as the O.C., what's it like just focusing on improving rather than just learning a new offense this year?
Kurt Roper made everything so simple for us. In previous years, there was a lot going on, I would say. But he just made everything simple for the whole line so we could just get the job done, read the call, and just step the ball and get ready.
Some of the key additions you all have had are Jimarion McCrimon and Daniel Cruz. How have those guys adjusted to everything? How do you think their fall camp has gone so far?
Pretty good. I love those guys. They did some hard work. I love J. Mac at left tackle. Daniel can play center and guard. I love that for them. It brings us just more versatility; it just adds more depth.
How excited are you to play for running backs like Duke Scott and Davion Gause? Where it’s like a one-two punch this year.
I'm very excited because one thing we're going to do with the two of them is to drop that shoulder. So I like having two power backs.
And then what's it like just seeing CJ grow after his third year being here, just his leadership and just his overall play?
You know something? Watching him grow makes me proud, especially since he's the team leader. He's the captain. We do everything he says. This is his team. This is his show.
And there are a lot of high expectations for this team this year. What makes you think that NC State can achieve what they want to achieve this year?
I feel like we have brought in some good pieces to the team, like some Florida guys you all probably know. But I feel like everybody got a rude awakening coming in for the season.
