Reggie's Time To Shine
Reggie Gallaspy arrived at NC State in 2015 a member of the Wolfpack's talented recruiting class that also included Nyheim Hines and Johnny Frasier at his position. Hines and Frasier were four-star recruits, but that didn't prevent Gallaspy from choosing the Wolfpack.
His position coach, Des Kitchings, has always been impressed with Gallaspy's team-first mindset.
"From day one, he’s an unselfish guy," Kitchings said. "He doesn’t go around saying, 'I want to be the next 1,000 yard rusher;' his objective is to help the team win. We throw it 60 times and he runs it 10, we win, Reggie’s great.
"That’s our mantra as a running back group, do what we can for the offense to win. When they hand the ball to us, we do our job, when we protect, we do our job, when we catch the ball, we do our job."
Last fall Gallaspy competed with Hines for the starting job, and Hines went on to have an All-ACC year. Hines then declared early for the draft and was a third-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts.
From that point on, Gallaspy really knew this could be his year, and early in fall camp Dave Doeren quickly named Gallaspy his starter.
Kitchings reiterated Gallaspy's role in the offense prior to the season opener.
"Reggie is the bell cow," Kitchings said. "Four-year guy... excited to see what he can produce for us this year."
The opportunity will be there for Gallaspy to produce in a huge way. Eli Drinkwitz arrived at NC State in 2016 and the Wolfpack has produced back-to-back 1,000-yard rushers in his offensive system.
Last year the Wolfpack's three-man backfield of Hines, Gallaspy, and Jaylen Samuels totaled 2,021 yards and 31 rushing touchdowns. Just Gallaspy returns, though, which means if he can stay healthy it could be a big, big year for him as "the guy."
However, has he truly embraced the role of being “the guy”?
"He’s always had that mentality," Kitchings said. "He’s just a very unselfish guy and deferred to Matt and Nyheim and Jaylen. Whenever he had the opportunity he maximized on them. He’s competitive and he’ll be ready to go."
What makes Gallaspy so unique is he profiles as a true three-down back. Most assume that is because he can both carry the football and also catch it on third downs. The biggest value to the Wolfpack offense, though, could actually be that Gallaspy is also a dominant pass-blocker.
The offense is built around quarterback Ryan Finley, so you can bet that on obvious passing downs Gallaspy's role as an additional protector for Finley won't change.
"He’s one of the best I’ve ever had," Kitchings said of Gallaspy's pass-blocking ability. "Not only from the physicality and blocking guys, but the recognition of what the defense is doing. He’s a smart guy, so when you talk through install and defenses in the meeting room he retains it and he applies it.
"That’s one of the biggest challenges for young kids is retaining information and applying it on Saturdays. Trying to be an every-down back, some kids can, some kids can’t, but Reggie has been a three-down back all four years."
Where Kitchings has seen the biggest growth from Gallaspy might be in terms of maturity. Gallaspy now has a three-year old daughter and he has completely adjusted to the changes he experienced early in college during his time off the gridiron.
"He’s had a lot of adversity and blessings," Kitchings added. "He’s a father with a three-year old kid. In college, trying to be a dad and a high-level athlete, and being a student, he’s graduating in December, and he’s had the injuries. He’s had to juggle a lot of things and I think that’s going to pay off for him and the team this fall.
"He’s always been a mature kid. Now he’s learned to balance being a father -- his girlfriend and daughter live with him -- as well as still being a Division 1 athlete and the things that are required of him."
The season opener against James Madison is now just days away, and Kitchings believes his new bell-cow back will be ready.
"He’s always been strong mentally," he said of Gallaspy. "He won’t say much, he’s not a big talker, but I know he’s excited for the opportunity that’s ahead of him in this season."