Grant Gibson: "We're Trying To Get Better"

NC State will have plenty of leadership this season, but one of the go-to guys in that regard figures to be center Grant Gibson.

Gibson spoke to the media at ACC Kickoff, and here’s a some highlights of what he had to say:.

NOTE: Click the video above to watch the interview session.

How does this team handle its expectations for this season?

We take it day by day. We understand that you can’t look too far ahead because that’s when you start to mess up. As a group, as a whole, we just come in each day, try to work hard, and try to do our best.

What was your mindset when you were asked to change positions a couple of years ago?

Coach Doeren called me into his office and said, ‘I think if you move to the offensive line, that’ll be best for the team and will also help you.’ I can’t thank him enough for what he’s done because it helped me. I don’t think that I would be here if I didn’t move positions. Knowing him and knowing how much he cares about the guys he tries to coach, I knew that if he said this is the right choice, then I should go with it. When you look at the guys who’ve changed like [Bradley] Chubb and Garrett [Bradbury], look where they’re at now.

How did having Bradbury on the team when you switched help you develop your game?

When I first moved over, I just tried to learn as much as I could from him. I was like, ‘This is a guy that’s at the top of his game,’ so I just tried to emulate all the things that he did. Those are things that I try to keep in my game so that I can be like him one day.

Why do you think this team is ready to make the jump into being a team like Clemson?

Because we’ve been through so much. Two years ago, we were 4-8, and I can tell you that that was a tough year for all of us. Last year, we were 8-4, and now we’re ready to take the next step. We’ve put in so much work for so long, and now we believe that this is our year.

When did you realize that this team is different and ready for that next step?

The first day of spring practice. We’re so close that the offense will help out the defense. We’re out there competing against each other, but we understand that, as a team, we’re trying to get better. That was the day that I thought this team was going to be very good. They’re competing to try and get on the field, but it’s not bad competition where it’s going to divide the team.