Teshaun Smith: "I'm Very Confident"

Coming off a season in which he missed the final six games to injury, NC State junior cornerback Teshaun Smith is ready to be a key contributor in the secondary for the Wolfpack’s new-look defense. 

How confident are you that you guys can shut down Sam Hartman and Wake’s passing game?

I’m very confident in our defense. I’ve seen our defense grow. I feel like our defense is much faster from the D-Line standpoint. I feel like we’ll be pretty solid. 

How much of an advantage is it to have tape on them when they don’t have it on you?

It’s a huge advantage due to the fact that, for example, their whole wide receiver corps has either graduated, or Sage Surratt opted out. So we get to see the new wide receivers on the field. 

Coach Doeren talked about how the team has matured from last year. But specifically on defense, where have guys grown?

I would have to say we’re just more in tune as far as knowing the little things on the field. I feel like we’ve grown a lot from a maturity standpoint. If you look at the roster, it is a lot of young guys, especially in the secondary. There’s only a few old heads like me, Tanner Ingle, and Tyler Baker-Williams. But everybody has matured. It’s a different vibe. For example, in the Murphy Center, everybody is just in tune. It feels everything is in sync. 

He also talked about how the coaching staff is gelling a little bit different this year. Does that trickle down to the players that the coaches are on a better vibe?

Of course. With the coaches, the vibe is different as far as, for instance, with Coach Mitchell, I feel like he’s like my Dad. It makes it a whole lot easier to play for a guy like that. 

How much does it help that so many guys got experience last year due to injuries?

I think that’s a huge help. We’re going to need everybody. If you get COVID, you’re automatically out two weeks. That’s potentially two games if you don’t have a bye week. So having the young guys with the old guys, for instance, [freshman corner Aydan White], he’s come along really well. He’s in tune. Due to the fact that we have so much experience from last year, that’s helping the young guys.

How difficult was it last season to have so many different guys playing beside you, and how important is it to have continuity?

I feel like it’s huge. Our chemistry has improved so much at every position. 

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a cornerback room with so many guys at 6-2 and 6-3. How does that play into your advantage?

It helps us to get hands on to people. I was actually talking about that at practice today just looking at our group. It’s a huge height advantage over the wide receivers.

There seems to be a sentiment that you all are playing with a chip on your shoulder due to the injuries last year. Can you talk about that?

The defense is totally different from last year. That’s all I have to say.