Ibrahim Kante on the D-Line: "It Starts With Us"

NC State football will be looking for big things from its defensive line this year in Tony Gibson’s first season as full-time defensive coordinator. One of the players who figures to play a key role is redshirt junior end Ibrahim Kante. 

He recently spoke with the media about the upcoming season.

This summer you were quarantined in New York. What was that like, when you were you able to get back, and what were some of the hardships you had to deal with?

I went home for the break and I’m thinking I’m just going to go home for three or four days, but it ended up being a whole two and a half, three months. I was stuck at home and a couple of gyms were closed. So I just had to find a way, and my coach started a workout group on Zoom. So I was just going to the park and things like that, trying to stay in the best shape that I could. 

What kind of shape were you in when you finally got back to campus, and how long did it take you to get back to playing condition?

As far as lifting, it was different because I wasn’t touching any weights. I was doing more body weight stuff. I was still strong, but I wasn’t as strong as I was when I left. I had to take a couple weeks to get back to normal. 

How is your relationship with defensive line coach Charley Wiles, and how have you and the rest of the line been adapting to his coaching style? 

It’s been really good. I feel like it’s a good fit for us. I feel like he came in and we automatically liked his coaching style. So I feel like we have a pretty good relationship with him. 

With the odd front, how important will it be for the defensive line to get pressure on the quarterback this season?

It’s extremely important for us. I feel like this defense, in order for it to work, we have to be the main ones putting in the most work. It starts with us, and we’ve got to take pride in that this year. 

Daniel Joseph is a new guy. What’s he like on and off the field?

He brings a lot of energy to the room. He’s trying to be a leader a lot, speaking up, helping out guys, especially with pass rush and stuff like that. Even telling guys about cadence, stuff like that. So he’s been really helpful. Seeing him on the field, he’s a really good pass rusher.

Is he a little bit more mature? Kind of like the big brother type off the field?

We all look at each other as equal, like one brotherhood. We don’t try to look at anybody else as above anybody.

How draining has the summer and fall camp been with the attrition and contact tracing? What kind of a battle does it feel like you guys have won to make it this far?

I think we’ve been doing a really good job with it. I feel like we’ve been doing a great job and we’ve been able to get our practices in. I think we’re doing a good job with it.

So far, early in the season, it’s looked like teams are struggling passing the ball. How do you all plan to stop the run in these early weeks?

We just need to play our blocks, stay in our gaps, and try to get off blocks and make plays.

Is it an advantage or disadvantage playing a team that’s already played a game? 

It’s an advantage because you have the opportunity to watch film on them, and they don’t have film on you. So I think it’s been a really good advantage for us.