NC State CB Brian Nelson II met with the media to discuss how his season has gone so far, where he wants to improve, and much more!
NOTE: Click the video above to watch the full press conference!
Has the start to the season lived up to all the work that you put in during the offseason?
It's been great, just knowing this season has been going well. I thought about the work I put in during the offseason. I was really intentional this whole offseason about being a better player and just being better for my guys.
It's really showing all the hard work that's gone into it.
What areas do you feel you've made the most progress in during gameplay?
I'd say my man coverage, change of direction, and, of course, speed. I feel like I really hit on everything this offseason. I just went all in and grinded.
I heard you say you were tackling some very big guys.
Very big guys, man. That was my job: to go make tackles and help the team any way I can.
I feel like that was just a great performance by me in that game.
There were some tackles you made that could have prevented touchdowns. Did you know it in the moment, or did you realize it when you watched the film the next day? What's it like knowing it's basically you and a guy with a lot of green grass?
In that moment, I know. That's why I'm so big on making tackles.
Of course, I'm a corner, so if it gets to my level, it's like I'm the last man standing. I've got to make the tackle.
I take pride in tackling and making sure I save those plays.
The team as a whole struggled with tackling this weekend. Have you taken it upon yourself to hold your teammates accountable and rebound against Wake Forest?
For sure. Even from a coaching standpoint, we're all trying to do a better job holding each other accountable when it comes to tackling.
It's not our standard. We just have to be better on defense.
Every guy on that defense knows we need to be better, and we're going to work on that this week.
What did you find out about Carlos Hernandez when you started watching him on film?
He's a pretty good player. I feel like he's the best player on their team.
He's pretty dynamic, so we're just trying to game plan and keep studying him. It's going to be a good competition coming Saturday.
Coach Doeren said he is basically a different player this year than he was last year at Carolina. Is it difficult to make that adjustment and realize he's fitting in there and playing well?
I feel like part of the reason why he's a different player is that he's back with his old coach.
I actually played against Gio Lopez during my very short freshman year at North Texas, when he was at South Alabama. It's funny because I played him at North Texas, then at UNC last year, and now I'm playing him again.
Of course, he's a different player. I feel like he's gotten better. But once again, it's because he's back with his coach. I feel like that's part of the reason why.
How important is it, as a cornerback on the boundary, that if he breaks one loose and gets outside, you're sound defensively and make the tackle?
It's very important.
Everybody needs to step up and make tackles because if we're not tackling, it's not going to be pretty.
Once again, if it gets to my level, it's like, "Hey, I'm the last man standing. I've got to make this play for my team."
How would you describe the defense's focus in the fourth quarter this past weekend compared to the previous few weeks?
I feel like our focus, defensively and for the whole team, is just on being able to finish.
These past games, we haven't been really good at finishing in the fourth quarter or the second half, I would say.
Throughout the team, we always emphasize finishing and making sure we're straining until the last second.
What's your view of that play where your teammate strained until the last second?
Oh man, I'm still at a loss for words. I was just so proud of him.
That's all we talk about. Throughout the week during practice, we always talk about straining and making those last-second plays. He really did it.
I was screaming. I was all over him. It was a great moment.
What is it like seeing all the Texas guys arrive? You were at the beginning of this in a roundabout way, but now you've got a lot of Texas guys on your team.
It feels good knowing some of the guys are from around the same area I'm from.
You always find a way to reconnect, knowing we're from the same state. It's just good and fun to have that.
You mentioned your history playing against Gio Lopez. What are some of the advantages of seeing a guy as often as you have?
I feel like the advantage is knowing his playing style, how he throws the ball, and where he's looking — his strengths and weaknesses.
I take pride in knowing that I've played against him before. I know what he likes to do. I know where he's looking.
That's the advantage I have.
