Anthony Belton: "It's A Battle Everyday Up Front"
NC State offensive lineman Anthony Belton met with the media ahead of the Wolfpack's 2022 season.
NOTE: Click on the video in the player above to watch Belton’s interview.
“It was really a great opportunity. Most guys don’t get to just redshirt and then be behind the first line. I took it as best as I could, so I could just learn to be the best version of myself once the opportunity came.”
“So far, it’s been a good practice. I just know I’ve got to give my all everyday. I can’t have any ups and downs. I’ve just got to be the best version of myself and be consistent day by day.”
“In JUCO, everybody’s always chasing the same dream: to go from JUCO to D-1. It was just a lot of battles in those JUCO days that helped me prepare for these moments.”
“I do say the speed is [the biggest adjustment]. The competition’s amped up a lot.”
“Everyday, Ickey [Ekwonu] and I would talk. Even with the little things, I did my best to ask as many questions as I could just so I could be the best detailed player I could. He was a very detailed, physical player. He was smart. He knew what he was doing. Asking those simple questions helped me be able to know what I’m doing so I could think fast and play faster.”
“Going against Cory [Durden], Savion [Jackson], and Davin [Vann], it’s a battle everyday up front. Those guys will get you better prepared for Saturdays.”
“I’d say that it’s just me knowing that I have people at home that’s depending on me. That’s my drive and my push right now.”
“Definitely my mom. Growing up, she was always providing. She always did everything she could to put me and my siblings in a position to be successful.”
“I came in a tad bit heavy, about 342 [pounds]. I lost a lot of fat just trying to build up my body composition and get toned up. I’m at like 335 now.”
“It’s been a good impact knowing that somebody that’s been in my shoes and been on that path is here with me. A lot of times, Coach Merci [Falaise] and I talk, and even when we’re out there on the field, he critiques me on the little things I still do wrong sometimes. It’s good to have somebody I can rely on and that I know that’s been in my position and knows how I feel.”
“With guys like Chandler [Zavala], Dylan [McMahon], [Grant Gibson], even Tim [McKay] and [Derrick] Eason, knowing I have them next to me helps me a lot. Sometimes, you forget some things, and they’re there to remind you what you’re doing and how you do it.”
“I just need to focus on being the best version of myself. I’m not trying to be the next Ickey, even though he’s a pretty good player.”
“Yes and no, but nothing’s guaranteed right now. We still have a good group of guys that’s playing tackle. Tim and [Bryson] Speas can both play left, so every day is a battle. I can’t get complacent.”
“That’s a tough question. We like having a target on our backs, so I feel like, either way, we’ve still got to do what we’ve got to do to get to that top spot in the ACC.”
“[The nickname ‘Escalade’] came from Coach [Dantonio Burnette]. He said I move like an Escalade.”
“When I came in last spring in 2021, we still practiced, but we didn’t have any games or anything. We only practiced a month or two. It took me a while to get back adjusted and get the feel for the game again.”
“[The run game] is going to be pretty good. We’ve got Jordan Houston and Delbert Mims. Those guys are hungry right now trying to prove themselves because they have a lot of doubters right now, especially with Bam [Knight] and Ricky [Person] leaving. They have high expectations.”
“Everyday in practice, we want to be our best so we can allow them to be their best and take the strives that they need to be the best versions of themselves."