Emanuel McGirt Relishing Opportunity
Emanuel McGirt was one of the biggest recruiting wins for NC State during Dave Doeren’s tenure. Unfortunately, injuries and the historic 2014 offensive line class kept him from being able to see the field. As you can imagine, that’s not easy on anybody.
“It’s been hard since I’ve been here,” McGirt said. “It was basically two years, but I’m healthy now. I just stay encouraged with my faith and my family. Guys on the team have encouraged me. It’s been hard, but I wouldn’t change it. It was different things with my lower body. I hurt my knee and my foot. I missed my redshirt freshman year with one injury and redshirt sophomore year with another. Last year was the first camp I went in to not coming off of injury.”
Despite the injuries, McGirt has been able to improve his body, especially since he has been healthy over the last year.
“I’m stronger, quicker, more athletic,” McGirt said. “I have had a chance to be in the weight room consistently and not sitting out or being on crutches.”
McGirt’s injuries did come with a positive: they allowed him to form a bond with his teammates who were also unable to play because of injuries. That bond is unmistakable.
“All the guys that have been hurt, we have camaraderie. We were always in the weight room during practice. When guys were in meetings we were hanging out for treatment. All the injured guys have a bond together and encourage each other.”
Now in fall camp, he has finally gotten a chance to compete for a starting spot – likely at left tackle, – and he has fully embraced the opportunity.
“Going into the season, I’ve been preparing all summer,” McGirt said. “Killing the runs and the weight room and being a leader on the o-line.”
It’s finally McGirt’s turn.
Five years after he picked the Wolfpack over Georgia and North Carolina he has a chance to prove he is worthy of the hype that made him a national recruit. However, that doesn’t matter to him.
“I don’t really care about that,” McGirt said. “I just want to play football; that’s what I came here to do. I don’t think about any of that stuff. It’s what I’ve been dreaming of since I got here. Just being out there. Since high school, it’s what I dreamed of. I got hurt and had a lot of setbacks, but now I’m out there and have a chance to compete.”