REPORTS: NC State football coach, players Gets Brutally Honest at ACC Kickoff: ‘We want to win a championship’

This season, N.C. State will play only three games outside of North Carolina and hopes the expanded College Football Playoff increases their chances of competing for a national title. “We’re about to hit the grass on Wednesday. I think every day we’re out there it’s a measuring stick,” said head coach Dave Doeren. “We’re one of five programs over the last four years that have won eight or more games in college football. We’ve maintained a level of competitive greatness that not many others have. That being said, we want to win a championship.” Doeren emphasized that the team aims for the ACC Championship and a playoff berth, stating that while winning nine games is good, it’s not enough. “What we did last year and the year before and the year before that was good. You know, winning nine games is good. We don’t want to be good,” Doeren added. “We want to be the best at what we do. These guys understand that.” N.C. State kicks off its season on Aug. 29 by hosting Western Carolina, followed by a return to the Queen City on Sept. 7 to face Tennessee in the Duke’s Mayo Kickoff.

Here’s what else N.C. State football players and coach Dave Doeren had to say:

Dave Doeren: “The transfer portal is just another way to add talent and fill key positions on the roster based on need. In the past, before the portal, we would look to junior colleges or sometimes find a graduate transfer to fill gaps caused by injuries or early NFL departures. Now, there’s constant movement in and out, so it’s about continuously assessing your roster. Changes happen weekly based on player health, who’s returning, and where improvements are needed.

We were fortunate this year to find players who fit well with our returning team. Players like Davin Vann, who have helped build this program, shouldn’t see their hard work overshadowed by newcomers. The new players needed to understand they’re joining something established and help us grow further. We’re very pleased with our recruits, including McCall and Waters. Our recruiting class is well-balanced, with a strong emphasis still on high school recruits.”

Davin Vann: “The transfer class has made a significant impact on our defense and offense. The new guys have been amazing and will help us achieve our goals.”

WHAT DOES ACCOMPLISHING GREATNESS MEAN TO YOU?

Dave Doeren: “To me, it means maximizing the gifts you’ve been given. One of our program’s standards is no underachievement. It’s about making the most of every opportunity. Accomplishing greatness means going to bed knowing you did everything you could to be your best self. If our coaches and players do that consistently, the score will reflect it. For N.C. State, greatness means holding up the trophy at the end of the year. It’s about making the most of every day, recognizing that each day is a blessing.”

Quarterback Grayson McCall, defensive end Davin Vann, head coach Dave Doeren, and running back Jordan Waters of the North Carolina State Wolfpack participated in the ACC Kickoff at the Hilton Charlotte Uptown.

THE TRANSITION TO N.C. STATE

Grayson McCall: “It’s refreshing to be in a new environment. It’s an incredible opportunity to wear the red and black and represent N.C. State. I’m extremely excited for the chance Coach Doeren has given me. As an older player and quarterback, it’s my responsibility to lead by example, show up every day, and demonstrate how it’s done. The transition has been smooth, and the team has shown me how things are done in Raleigh. Now, it’s my job to maintain that standard, lead by my actions, and be more vocal on the field.”

Jordan Waters: “The transition has been great. Everyone welcomed me warmly, without ego. We all know our purpose here, and everyone has been fantastic. I love being here; I’m excited, happy, and blessed. No one treated me differently because I came from down the road. Coach D and I went fishing a few times, and I even beat him. It’s been fun.”

WHY VANN RETURNED FOR ANOTHER SEASON

Davin Vann: “There were many personal things I wanted to work on. Coach Doeren has helped me a lot, mentally, emotionally, and physically. The mental and emotional growth was a significant reason I stayed. I also felt there was unfinished business I needed to address. These were the main factors in my decision to return.”

THE DEFENSE GETTING OVERLOOKED COMPARED TO THE OFFENSE

Davin Vann: “We take it personally, of course. Many think that because we lost Payton (Wilson), we lost our whole defense, but that’s not true. The transfer portal has played a big role, and we have some strong players ready to perform. Our defense will be really good.”

IS THERE LESS PRESSURE ON MCCALL AFTER LEAVING THE SUN BELT AS A THREE-TIME PLAYER OF THE YEAR?

Grayson McCall: “It’s extremely refreshing to be in a new place. The pressure is always there, but yes, it’s a bit less now. Not all the attention is on me as it was for the past three years. So far, it’s been great.”