De'Von Graves Emboldened to Succeed as Starting Cornerback
Injuries have played a huge part in NC State’s struggles. This part is no more illustrated than when looking at the Wolfpack’s injuries in the secondary. However, the axiom remains: next man up.
This Saturday, sophomore De’Von Graves gets his chance to showcase why he’s deserved to be the next man up as one of the team’s starting cornerbacks.
“I’m just trying to help the team,” Graves said. “The coaches trust me, and I know how to play. It doesn’t really matter; whatever position I can play, I’m going to play it as long as I’m on the field.”
Listed as a safety on the roster, Graves has bounced around the field as both free and strong safety as well as dime and finally corner. With that experience at different positions in the secondary, Graves knows what difficulties lie in playing at corner.
“You’re just on an island,” Graves said. “As far as covering passes, it’s a lot harder. If you mess up, everybody’s looking at you.”
This week will be a harder challenge than usual. Wake Forest has several options at wide receiver that have made opposing defenses crack. Scotty Washington and Sage Surratt have been exemplary options for quarterback Jamie Newman as the pair have combined for 85 receptions for 1,404 yards and 16 touchdowns. Graves expects a tough matchup despite the Pack’s depleted secondary yet knows the high hill that will need to be overcome.
“Surratt is aggressive, and Washington is long,” Graves said. “We’re going to get tested because they know we have new DBs on the field. It’s going to be a challenge, but I feel like we have the athletes to challenge them and make plays just like they can.”
Scouting two potent weapons such as Washington and Surratt can be difficult, but one aspect of their advantages have been answered during this week’s practices, and redshirt freshman wide receiver Devin Carter has been integral to aiding Graves and the State defense.
“It’s always a big help because we have a mixture of different types of receivers,” Graves said. “Wake Forest has some really tall receivers, so I just guard Devin all week to prepare myself because Devin’s a really great receiver. It’s really neck and neck between us.”
The Wolfpack’s rivalry matchup this weekend will be important to get State out of its recent slump. Graves’ play will be pivotal for the Pack to pick up the win. Though his work isn’t done, getting this start has emboldened him to play at an even higher level than before. For now, Graves is still enjoying the ride.
“It’s an amazing feeling,” Graves said. “There are a lot of people on the team that are great athletes, and this shows just how much trust the coaches really have in me. It’s a blessing. I couldn’t ask for more.”