Grant Gibson: "We Have To Go Out There And Play"

NC State center Grant Gibson discusses a number of topics with the Wolfpack's spring practice underway.

NOTE: Click the video above to watch the interview.

What was it like to be able to get out there? This is what, your fourth or fifth year now, at this point?
So this is my fifth spring ball. It was fun, though. We haven't been out there on the field in three months, and for us to get the chance to go back out there and play as a team, it was really fun today.

How are you guys approaching the hole left by Ikem Ekwonu who is now being talked about like the number one overall pick?
Oh, listen, we're all proud of Ikem. Just to see him and what he's done, and he worked hard for it. But we understand that we have to step up as a group now, because he was a big piece. But we have the guys in the room that can do it though. So we're all looking forward to just being able to go out there and show what we can do.

Coach was speaking about how it's really good to have so many players who have been through this process before. You guys know the routine, and it just helps with the flow of practice. You being one of those leaders, talk about your role and helping.
So like I said, this next fall will be my sixth year here, so I kind of know how things go. So I've been able to help out Coop and show him the way, and just how to watch tape and how to approach each day.

So for me, just to be able to get the chance to get back to younger guys and show them what I know now so that they can ease into a little bit, it's been great for them, I think.  Then they don't have to go through those tough times. So I'm just trying to help out any way that I can.

Is it exciting the hype that this team is getting right now?
It is, but at the same time, though, we know that we have to go out there and play. The hype, it's not going to win any games. We know that everybody's going to have their eye on us this year, and we have to come out there and play hard this year.

We have to execute, and we felt like last year that we left some games on the table that we should have won. So that's just the goal for this team this year, is to just go out there, and basically keep going here.

Everybody's talking about how many guys came back on the defense. Is the offense getting overlooked a little bit?
We might be, but that's fine. But we try not to listen to it. The defense has earned their respect. We saw what they can do last year, but we don't really ... as an offense, don't listen to the hype. We understand that we have to go out there and play and we use it as shield if we feel like we're being disrespectful.

Grant, for yourself personally, what were some things that you worked on this off season to try to improve going into this year?
Just my hands, my feet, just things like that. My mental as well, you know what I'm saying? Just trying to stay focused and just trying to clear my mind a little bit so that I can relax up there on the field.

You guys are going to be inexperienced at the running back position...
The thing about that room is, those guys in there have been waiting. I don't think that they're inexperienced. They haven't gotten the game reps but they all know the plays well, they've been here for three years apiece, and they’ve just been waiting their turn.

So I'm excited to see them get out there and get to show what they can do. So it's going to be cool to see them do it.

Who's impressing you the most?
Jordan Houston, Demie, Delbert Mimms. They all look great today. They know what they can do when they just been waiting to get out there to show everybody.

What motivated you to come back for that sixth year, and how much thought got to put into it?
So I'll be honest with you; these guys are my best friends. I didn't want to leave when I knew that I could come back. And I felt like, as a team, that we have something special that we could do as a group. And that's something that I wanted to be a part of. I feel like we played this game for the right reason -- to win. And that's why I wanted to come back. I wanted to be a part of this game because it's going to be a great year. But I also know that there's some things that I can fix, too. So that's why I wanted to come back and improve those things for myself, too.

You mentioned passing things down to the younger players. Some may not even remember you were a defensive tackle as a young player. Who passed down things to you?
Six years ago when I first came in, it was Chubb, Street, BJ Hill, and then when I moved to the o-line, it was Garrett and Big T. Those guys helped me out a lot in my game.

For you personally, what is it going to be like watching Ikem get drafted and Jordan Davis? Two guys you know very well.
Just to see how well and how far they've come. I still remember when Icky first came in here and he didn't really know what he was doing, but then to see how he turned into a beast – and Jordan's the same way. I remember back in high school, I don't even think that he wanted to play. But now he's going to be a first round pick. He's worked hard for it.

They both have. So it's cool to see guys that I play with get that out of what they deserve.